This week’s blog post is written by our college interns in the Engineering Department. They were tasked with creating a DIY project that would be sturdy and durable, so they decided to create a DIY porch swing. Thank you to Paul Cabasag, Alex Wightman, Ian Kennedy, Sienna Palos, Daniel Noh and Toan Nguyen for this week’s post.

Nothing is more pleasant than relaxing outside with friends and family on a warm afternoon. But many of us don’t have enough reliable seating. Unfortunately, even my backyard is filled with rickety old chairs and benches that you hope won’t break every time you sit in them.

A porch swing is a wonderful piece of outdoor furniture, ideal for spending family time and creating memories together. As the 2016 summer interns at Simpson Strong-Tie, we wanted to create something that the whole family would enjoy. A porch swing is the perfect spot to curl up in with a book while the kids are at play.

This is a fun and challenging build for the intermediate-to-advanced DIYer. Using Simpson Strong-Tie connectors will ensure that your build will go smoothly, the furniture will be sturdy and your swing will last well after the kids are grown. Download the step-by-step instructions and the cut list here.

Simpson Strong-Tie DIY Porch Swing Building Plans

If you have a roof or porch strong enough to support a bench with people seated, you can hang this swing from there. If not, fret not! We also designed a standalone frame support that allows you to move the swing anywhere in the yard. This garden arbor–type support provides cool shade so you can relax and swing even on hot days. If you want even more stability for this frame, anchor it in the ground using concrete or wood screws, depending on your surface.

This build also features our new decorative hardware line called Outdoor Accents. These visually striking powder-coated products are load tested and rated and specifically intended for outdoor use. They add a decorative appeal and have a galvanized zinc coating that allows them to withstand weather conditions that an outdoor project will face. The Outdoor Accents line is available at homedepot.com. 

To add a personal touch to your project, add stain. If you aren’t using a wood species that is naturally resistant to the elements like redwood or cedar, you may want to consider using a stain specifically made for outdoor use.

This DIY porch swing is the perfect project to squeeze in while the weather is warm and enjoyable.