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Swings are considered the simplest and most convenient means of recreation and entertainment at their summer cottage. To make a wooden swing with your own hands, you will need drawings and photos of finished models. All this can be found in our article. With the help of ready-made schemes, it will be quite simple to make a swing, and the use of improvised means and a tree will minimize financial costs.
Creating a swing should begin with the choice of materials. The most practical material for this purpose is wood. It is relatively easy to process and affordable.
Consider the main advantages and disadvantages of wood as a building material for swings.
Advantages:
- Environmental Safety. The tree does not contain harmful compounds that adversely affect human health.
- Aesthetic look. A swing made of wood organically fits into the overall natural picture of a summer house or garden. In addition, the ability to independently decorate some elements allows you to give the desired look to the swing.
- Low cost and availability of source material.
However, in addition to all the advantages, there are a number of significant disadvantages. Wood is a rather brittle material. For a long and safe operation of the swing, it is necessary to regularly process the main parts of the structure. Also, the disadvantages of the tree include:
- Susceptibility to weather conditions. Snow, rain and direct sunlight adversely affect all wooden parts.
- Susceptibility to decay, fungus and destruction by insects. To protect against such influences, it is necessary to treat the tree with special antiseptic compounds and varnish.
- Destruction due to temperature changes. A sharp decrease and increase in ambient temperature can lead to cracks, which will ultimately lead to the impossibility of safe use of the swing.
What wood to choose
Note! Despite the fact that insects prefer other types of trees, do not neglect the processing of wood with special compounds. In combination with the features of these rocks, this will only increase the reliability and durability of the structure.
Also, to create any buildings made of wood, it is recommended to take oak. This tree is extremely strong and durable, and the buildings made from it are of the highest quality. The only disadvantage of oak is the cost of building material.
In the absence of other tree species, linden is used. It resists well to low temperatures, has a high strength and has an aesthetic appearance.
Types of garden swing
The number of types of swing designs is quite large, but they all come down to three main types, or are their modifications:
There is nothing difficult in creating a swing if you have enough materials and the necessary tools. For planning, you can use our step-by-step instructions and drawings, or make your own schemes based on them. Below we will look at how to make the basis of a swing.
Frame fabrication and installation
To design the main part of the swing, you need to buy and deliver building materials in advance. This will require wood with transverse dimensions of 150x45 mm of the following length:
- 2100 mm - 1 board (for crossbar).
- 2775 mm - 3 boards (for legs).
- 320 mm - 2 spacer boards at the top of the base.
- 990 mm - 2 spacer boards at the bottom of the base.
Below is a drawing of a classic A-frame type.
When cutting parts of the base yourself, you can use the following scheme for breeding and aligning the legs.
After preparing and trimming the materials, it is necessary to connect the legs to the spacers and the crossbar with screws. Fasteners are carried out in the places indicated in the diagram.
The lower part of the structure is dug into the ground by half a meter. Thus, the lower strut will be exactly on the surface of the earth.
The crossbar of the base must be strictly horizontal to the surface. This can be checked with a bubble level. If everything was done correctly, and the swing was installed on a flat prepared surface, then there will be no problems. Otherwise, you need to level the swing by deepening one of the parts.
Important! Since part of the legs will be in the ground or concrete base, it is necessary to treat these parts with bituminous mastic. This will extend the life of the swing by reducing the impact of moisture on the wood.
It will be quite simple to prepare materials and assemble a swing with your own hands from wood, having at hand drawings and photos of the desired model. The video below provides a detailed explanation of the basic principles of assembling a swing.
seat manufacturing
To assemble the seat, you will need lumber with transverse dimensions of 70x35 mm. Depending on the purpose of use, the length of such materials will be as follows:
- 955 mm - 2 support bars.
- 600 mm - 2 rear support legs.
- 1200 mm - 2 seat bars.
- 275 mm - 2 armrest supports.
- 600 mm - 2 armrests.
Also needed are boards for a seat with dimensions of 70x25mm of the following dimensions and functional need:
- 1284 - 8 seat slats.
- 1300 - 3 backrest slats.
The assembly drawing of the seat parts is shown below.
To give additional strength, the support bars are reinforced from below with seat bars. Slots 35mm deep and 70mm wide are cut into the support bars for mounting the armrest and rear pillar supports. After installation, they are fixed with screws.
The seat slats are screwed to the supporting parts. To give more convenience, you can cut a small recess in the support bars according to the drawing.
In the parts of the armrest, a part is cut out for attaching to the rear pillars and fixed with screws. The second fastener is carried out from the upper part of the armrest to the end of the armrest support.
Parts of the backrest bar are attached to the back support. Suspension mounts are installed at the base of the seat.
Important! After assembling all parts, it is necessary to carefully process the parts of the seat, round off the edges and remove all injury-prone areas.
To give extra softness, you can sew a small pillow, or purchase a ready-made model in the store.
Fastener selection
The bindings are the most critical place in a swing. If they are of insufficient quality, or installed incorrectly, the likelihood of injury on a swing is greatly increased.
For garden swings, ropes or chains are most often used as suspensions. The rope is very easy to use, and some models have high internal friction, which limits the speed and force of the swing, thus protecting against high risks of injury. However, the ropes in the attachment points can quickly fray.
Chains are more reliable, withstand high loads and break down for a long time. If the chain links are strongly frayed among themselves, this is immediately visible. A chain with large links can pinch fingers in children, so a chain with a small link is chosen for children's swings.
Rigid mounts are usually used in where you can install a bearing mechanism for smooth rolling. Putting such a mechanism on a wooden swing is problematic and requires special skills and equipment.
To attach the suspension to the main structural parts - the frame and the seat, you can use the following mounting parts:
Attention! Mounting parts in the seat are installed only in its support beams. It is impossible to fasten the seat by the upper parts, since under load they can easily come off the main part.
canopy
A canopy will provide excellent protection from direct sunlight and rain. If you have a wild imagination, you can create completely unimaginable designs in design and functionality. However, the installation of a canopy may require revision and redesign. We recommend that you foresee the presence and shape of the canopy in advance, which will help change the drawing in the right direction.
The simplest and relatively inexpensive canopy is a polycarbonate sheet roof mounted on a metal profile. The side parts of the canopy determine its shape. It can be classic pyramidal or semicircular. To give rounded shapes, you must use a pipe bender.
The transverse bars of the metal profile will create additional strength of the hinged structure. They can be welded to the main beams of the canopy or bolted. The canopy is attached to the wooden frame with transverse metal struts to the legs and mounting devices to the crossbar.
A polycarbonate sheet is attached to a metal base with special press washers - self-tapping screws with wide heads, or bolts. It is necessary to pre-drill holes in the metal profile of the required dimensions for the installation of mounting parts. The size of the sheet and the canopy as a whole must be such that during swinging it cannot be hooked and injured.
After the canopy is fully installed, you can paint the polycarbonate in the desired color. It should be remembered that the increase in weight on the legs of the swing should be compensated for by increasing the thickness of the starting materials.
It will be quite simple to assemble a swing with your own hands from wood, having at your disposal the necessary drawings and photos of similar models. The swing will help you have fun. Improvement tips on the site site will help transform the appearance of the house and summer cottage.
Remember childhood sensations from the swing? This is not only pleasant, but also useful - monotonous rocking trains the vestibular apparatus, and also calms the nervous system. The second property is very useful in our time. Such a pleasant treatment-relaxation after a busy day. Moreover, any person with “straight” hands can make a swing with their own hands. There are, of course, complex models, but there are much more simple ones.
About designs
Like most outbuildings, swings are most often made of wood. Racks and crossbar - from timber, logs, seats - from planks and even from parts of home furniture.
A little about designs. There are three main types of hanging swings, or as they are also called - boat swings, sofas, benches, etc. The main difference is in the type of support structure: there are A-shaped and U-shaped. You see an example with racks folded into a triangular structure above, and in the photo below an example with a U-shaped rack. This is more likely with a hanging bench and it is built according to the same type, only taking into account swinging loads.
There is a third type - this is already a complex structure that requires certain skills - it is based on articulated joints and they swing from their feet to the floor. We will immediately give both photos and diagrams for those who wish (you can expand it to full screen by clicking on the arrows in the upper right corner of the picture).
We make a swing with our own hands from wood
Most often, they independently make a design in the form of the letter "A". It is simpler, requires less material consumption. We will analyze the nodes, fasteners in more detail, talk about materials, protection against destruction and stability.
materials
Immediately about what to make a wooden swing from. The choice of lumber section depends on the planned load. If it is assumed that one adult will sit, the uprights and the upper crossbar are at a minimum - 50 * 70 mm. If a larger number of "seats" is supposed - two or three, then the cross-section of the beam is at least 100 * 100 mm, better - 100 * 150 mm. It has been experimentally established that such a design, when using a beam of 100 * 100, can normally withstand a total load of about 200 kg. If you need more - take a larger section, or put logs))
About what the bench / sofa is made of. A bar 70 * 40 mm will go to the frame, the back height is at least 600 mm, the seat depth is at least 480 mm. You can experiment with the depth of the seat and the angle of the backrest: there are options for a “lying” position. Accordingly, both the length of the sofa and the dimensions of the structure change greatly from this. For fastening use nails 200 or studs at least 10 mm in diameter.
How to position the racks
Scheme with dimensions and a list of the required material in the photo below. To be frank, few people make from such materials as indicated in the specification. More often they put a bar.
There are varieties of this design: with or without a lower frame. If the swing is installed on a hard platform and the fasteners are made rigid, on studs, without the possibility of backlash, then such a design will stand without problems. If in doubt, you can make a screed from a bar along the bottom, nail it with studs to the coating, or drive the staples into the ground.
A crossbar has been added here, there is nothing to move apart The simplest design, but the “legs” can move apart
For those who are afraid of lateral loads - the design in this axis is not the most reliable - we can offer to install racks with a slope. The area will be large, but the stability will be high.
If installation in the ground is intended, parts of the posts that will be buried must be treated with bio-protection. As a cheap option, put it in a vessel with used oil for several hours. Dry, then bury. They bury to a depth of at least 50 cm, pour a little rubble on the bottom, set up racks and concrete. If you are afraid that this is not enough, attach a few strips of metal crosswise at the bottom. The hole will have to be dug larger, but the holding area will be larger.
Ways of fastening the crossbar
In all swings of this type - with racks sawn at the top with bars - the problem is the attachment point of the crossbar, to which the bench is then hooked. In the photo above, it is solved reliably, although not entirely aesthetically pleasing. The trouble is that aesthetic methods are difficult to perform. And, if you are not for sale, it's faster to do something inelegant, but reliable. So, in order to fix the crossbar, an overhead beam is attached below the intersection, pulled to the uprights with studs. A cross member rests on it, which is held from lateral shifts by racks and fasteners - nails and spikes.
Another way to install the crossmember is to mount the side racks in the form of the letter "X". With this option, the carrier beam fits perfectly. It is additionally fixed with nails, and the racks are pulled together with studs. See the next photo for this.
Everything is fine, but the length of the sofa is not enough ...
By the same principle, a do-it-yourself swing is assembled from logs: the side ones are fastened crosswise, and a support log is laid on top. If the timber is sometimes assembled on nails, then in the case of logs, studs are mainly used.
For those who are familiar with carpentry, there are other options: half a tree. Such a project is in the photo gallery below with close-ups of some of the key nodes.
How the racks are fastened together - inside view
Photo gallery of homemade swings on chains
And a few photos of different swings made on the basis of an A-shaped design.
From thin logs under a reed roof - it looks great Chic option - 3-seater, or maybe more, a swing manufacturing This is a whole swing house .... cool Immediately and a ladder ...
Fastening the swing to the crossbar
The swing mount also requires clarification, that is, it is not obvious to everyone how to hang a bench-sofa on the crossbar. First, the crossbar is drilled from the bottom up through. A bolt is passed through the hole, to which the eye nut is attached. One or two wide washers are placed under the nut head so that it does not squeeze under weight.
It turns out that the eye-nut ring is located at the bottom. You can attach a carabiner to it, throw a rope or cable, etc. Just note that the carabiner should hang normally, freely on the eye-nut ring. And in the carabiner, two links of the chain should fit freely. Therefore, it is advisable to buy everything together in one store: you can try on the entire knot at once.
By the way, in the rigging store you can stumble upon other devices that can be adapted for attaching chains or ropes from the swing seat. For example, such as in the photo below.
They are designed to lift loads from 0.5 tons, so it makes no sense to use them for children, but on a swing for adults - quite.
Such a mount has a significant minus - a creak is heard when swinging. For a while, you can get rid of it by lubricating the knot, but this operation will have to be repeated periodically. The way out is to make a knot on bearings, but you can’t do without welding.
Do-it-yourself metal swing
Their structure is exactly the same. The material is different, and the way it is attached. This is welding. For those who are familiar with, it will not be difficult to cook something similar. And for inspiration, a photo report.
Below is a drawing of this swing with dimensions. Some explanation is required. In the figure there is a pipe welded around the perimeter (this plane is shaded). It is buried and therefore not visible in the photo. It was made in order to increase stability: the masses of friends are considerable. For the same reason, metal plates are welded onto the ends of the racks. The installation was complicated, but the swing is tight.
For manufacturing, it took 22 meters of a profile pipe 50 * 50 mm, for a seat 25 * 25 mm - 10 mm, boards 2000 * 120 * 18 - 7 pcs and the rest - fasteners, paint, anti-rust.
There is another way to attach the swing to the crossbar. He is in the photo.
A way to make a metal swing mount to the crossbar
The original form of a swing from a profile pipe - the racks are non-linear, but curved. If it is possible to do this with a tree, then only the master.
Baby swing
For children, you can make the same design, but smaller.
There are several other models for , but about . Here are the first ones - a swing-scale or a balance beam.
Swing for children - balance beam or scales
Everything is clear, questions may arise only on the attachment point. Below is a drawing with dimensions. To strengthen the upper part, steel plates are fixed inside. To make them swing, a hole is drilled into which the pin is threaded. You can improve the "rolling" by inserting bearings.
You can quickly and easily make a nest swing from a tire (car tire). Bolts with eye nuts are installed in it at four corners, but of a smaller diameter (do not forget about the washers), ropes or chains cling to them, and you can even throw them on the corresponding branch on the tree, even hang them on the horizontal bar.
It so happened that for many of us, a swing is associated with childhood or a wedding, but not necessarily perceived as an indispensable element of the garden. At the same time, many readers of our blog will certainly be interested in learning how to make a swing, so undeservedly forgotten, and moreover, purely with their own hands. They can be done in a rustic style, using metal or wood, as a seating area for an Italian patio, under a pergola or a children's version of a swing - one of these is sure to please.
Swings as an item of homestead exterior are not so often found in the dachas and near the country houses of our compatriots. We propose to radically change this situation. We will talk about the independent production of garden decor due to the need for a rational approach to spending.
Probably not worth mentioning that such exterior items are quite expensive on sale. The cost of wooden models in Europe reaches 700-900 euros. In Russia, prices start from 200-300 dollars. It's not that hard to make them. Gardening and outdoor work is a rewarding hobby in every way.
Traditional English swing benches
Swing benches belong to the traditional decoration of the terrace of a classic English house. Such a tradition also existed in Tsarist Russia, swings were built on verandas and terraces, as a rule, under an existing canopy. Fastening to the roof beams provided the required reliability without unnecessary investments.
You can make a swing from any material available in the country for your terrace completely with your own hands and without the involvement of assistants. To do this, you do not have to make a base and a canopy, but only build a secure mount to the ceiling and make seats. A woman can also cope with such work, only you need to make sure that the roofing is reliable so that the work is not only easy, but also of high quality.
In American cottages, such models in the form of benches with textile cushions are found on an open terrace. In Italian Tuscany, hanging wooden seats are very often arranged under a flower shed - a pergola, which vaguely resembles a Russian gazebo and often serves as a summer kitchen.
Swing-bed or swing-bed
Swing-bed is an alternative form of larger deck swing. A similar rocking bed can be built in the garden, under a canopy, tree canopy or awning. If you add a canopy to the design, then in the summer you can sleep freely on such a swing, enjoying the pleasant coolness of the night. Use one of the ideas presented in the photo.
Photo, design and drawings of a swing bench for a terrace and a garden
Pergola as a supporting structure
Free-standing A-shaped structures without canopy
Free-standing A-shaped structures with a canopy (diagram and drawing)
Ways of fastening the elements of the supporting structure of the swing
Swing in rustic style for wooden manors
If you are a happy owner of a Russian wooden house built from timber, be sure to appreciate the rustic-style swing. The GardenLand.ro company offers its author's models worth about 900 euros. A similar garden decor is made in Russia by the Eclectichome.ru family workshop using natural materials.
A wild log is used as a building material in the construction of such a swing. During processing, the branches are cut off and used as brackets for flower stands. We suggest you evaluate your strengths and build such a decor yourself. How to make a swing in the garden at the dacha from improvised materials and do-it-yourself photos, we suggest looking below.
Installation of rustic swings is carried out individually without drawings, using the standard dimensions of such backyard structures as a basis. It is not at all necessary to remove the bark from the support, as is done in the GardenLand sample. But if you decide to create an author's swing pattern, you will need a specialized tool for Russian log cabins.
Coating the wood base with protective agents will help preserve the look of the wood. Specialized paints and varnishes are available in a wide range, most often budgetary linen impregnation is used by craftsmen.
Anchor bolts and fixing accessories for roof construction are used to fasten individual elements of the swing. We talked about a similar installation in a review about wooden stairs.
The main advantage of wild log swings is their stability and high strength. The design freely supports the weight of several adults. You can see how the installation of such a rustic decor is done in the video.
French textile armchairs or Brazilian Hammock
The French swing originates from the traditional Brazilian Hammock hammocks and is usually made of thick linen or tarpaulin, fittings and a thick linen cord. The shape of the chair is attached with the help of laces of different lengths. They are attached to a transverse wooden beam, which, in turn, to a reliable overlap of a terrace or pergola. To create the base of the seat, pillows that hold the shape are laid.
See how to make a swing in the form of hanging chairs, benches and benches with your own hands photo. Such a functional decor for pergolas and terraces will become a favorite entertainment for adults and children.
Textile chairs can also be used without a canopy, for this purpose we recommend making a hook on the anchor bolt, to which they will be attached as needed. For quiet purposes, portable terrace swings can be used, which in good weather can be installed outdoors without a canopy. With a sufficiently reliable basis, this can also apply to different variations of the swing-bed.
Playgrounds in the backyard with swings
Children's swings can have different designs and are arranged anywhere in the garden where the child will play or be near their parents. Make small rocking chairs for a small child on the terrace. Moreover, it is possible to fasten the floor with a hook in advance, so that at any time it can be replaced with any other suspended structure.
Always keep in mind that older children like to swing the structure a lot, which should be considered when choosing hangers and bases. If floors cannot withstand such a force, use a more suitable model.
Video instruction for the construction of a wooden swing
Conclusion
All the proposed swing models can be made with your own hands, and in some cases from improvised material at no cost. The photo shows various designs that are quite simple to self-assemble. Ideas can be applied to decorate a recreation area in a personal plot or make your own playground for children.
Do-it-yourself garden swings are easy to make if you know how to handle tools. All work can be completed in one or two days.
What to make a swing
You can design them from almost everything that comes to hand:
- Wood: beams, trimmings, logs, planks from boxes, boards, slats, benches.
- Metal: pipes, profiles, rods, wires, chains, rings, hooks, sheets.
- Plastic: boxes, chairs, hoops, pipes.
- Shaped parts from sewerage: tees, elbows.
- Bearings.
- Ropes, ropes.
- Tires.
- Thick fabric, tarpaulin.
- Cases and seats of old cars and motorcycles.
As you can see, we can continue indefinitely, but we will limit ourselves to this list for now.
Beginning of work
To properly make a garden swing with your own hands, you first need to prepare a project and drawings of the future design, based on the material you have available. If you are planning to make a metal garden swing, but there are not enough details, you can ask your neighbors, friends or make them from another material, such as wood.
Prepare a pencil (pen), eraser, ruler, paper, protractor. They will be needed not only for drawing, but also for the subsequent marking of parts. If you can’t start drawing right away (don’t know where to start), then just sketch out the swing drawing, “as you see it”. It will be much easier to draw from the drawing.
Don't feel like you're wasting your time drawing all the details. At the construction stage, you will have to refer to the drawing more than once.
Installation of supports and crossbars
The installation of supports can be carried out in different ways:
- Install two vertical bars or pipes.
- Dig in two large letters L.
- Put two A-shaped structures.
- Mount supports like the letter X.
The photo shows different types of installation. As you can see, the crossbars are also fixed in different ways. In addition to such attachment methods, for example, in the first picture, you can drill the racks at the top and install a metal pipe or a thick rod. It is used as an axle from a cart or trailer.
If you made racks from wide boards, you can drill them out and install bearings in the holes. Close them on both sides with perforated sheets of metal, which are nailed to the board. A rod must be inserted or pressed into the holes.
A more advanced method of fixing the horizontal involves a special design mounted on poles, made by welding from three pieces of metal pipes.
There are several options for mounting supports:
- Set on the ground or dig into it. The option is bad. Due to dampness, the end of the beam will rot, and everything will collapse to the ground.
- Wrap the butt of the support with polyethylene or paint it.
- Concrete the support.
- Install on a special podium or on a terrace.
The second and third options are more acceptable. It is necessary to wrap the end so that the film comes out 20-50 cm. This will protect the bottom of the protruding part of the column from dampness in winter (in snowdrifts). The same must be done when pouring the column with cement. The formwork should protrude from the ground.
Suspension and mount designs
In order for children and especially adults (due to the greater weight) not to fall, it is necessary to hang the swing securely. To do this, you need to find:
- strong enough ropes - you can use slings from parachutes (withstand 150 kg each) or ropes of climbers;
- chains - even those that tie dogs are suitable, but preferably thicker;
- thick wire or long metal rods with a caliber of at least 10 mm.
Fasteners can be completely different:
- From rope. Throw a rope over the crossbar and fix it at the bottom of the seat. Or pull through the saddle and tie a knot at the top.
- Hook or ring.
The second method has several options:
The first two are designed to wrap around shaped crossbars: rectangular and round. They are a kind of clamps with hooks.
The last two are designed to strengthen the hooks or rings in the through hole of the crossbar.
Seat manufacturing
Classic boards and half-logs on a swing have long become boring to everyone.
We will talk about several non-traditional methods for making swing seats. They are easy to make and don't take much time.
Option 1.
The easiest way is to use old chairs or benches made of any material that have broken legs. It's beautiful and practical. There are several ways to mount them on a swing:
- We drill 4 holes in the seat of the chair (blue), pass the ropes through them and tie a rod or a thin metal tube from below. He won't let the rope slip back.
- We fasten or nail the boards to the seat (yellow), drill them. We thread the ropes into the holes and tie large knots. For safety, such knots can be omitted in order to prevent them from blooming and passing through a hole. It is better to simply tie the board with the end of the rope.
- Instead of holes in the seat, we cut out the grooves and wrap the chair (pink) with a rope. But the child can jump, the rope will be released and slip to the side. So that the rope does not jump out, we fill the boards from below.
Option 2.
You can make a seat from canvas or fabric, but it is not very comfortable, as it wraps around the person sitting on both sides, squeezing him. For convenience, you can install a spacer on a rope or chain above the seat and then the degree of girth will decrease.
Option 3.
Make a pseudo-seat from a tire. Hang it on ropes. In the sector facing the earth, stuff soft unnecessary things.
For convenience, take large tires, for example, from the rear wheels of a tractor.
Option 4.
Hoop as a seat. A hula hoop is taken and wrapped with ropes in diameter:
If this is difficult for you, you can put a ring in the center of the hoop and thread the ropes through it. First set the small circle in the center and fasten one cord so that its two ends are on the same side. Then reinforce the twine on the opposite side. And so on.
Option 5.
Use for this an old durable basin, tub or even a trough.
But just sitting on wood, plastic or metal is not very pleasant. For greater comfort, you can put pillows for garden swings on the seat, made of foam rubber and covered with dense fabric or leather. If, during assembly, it is prudent to make soft seats, then no pillows will be needed.
How to make a wooden garden swing
There are two ways:
Option 1.
They represent a seat made of any suitable material, suspended by one or two ropes from a bough.
The photo shows that the ropes can be tied in different ways, the main thing is that they do not slip off:
- on the left side, two ropes are thrown over a branch and fixed at the bottom with four knots;
- in the upper right picture, one rope is suspended from a hook;
- on the bottom - two ropes hang on hooks.
Option 2.
Run the swing entirely from wooden parts. That is, make supports and a crossbar from bars or logs, and a seat from boards, slats or wooden benches and install as described above.
If you fill in the foundation, fix a downed special shield on it, a podium and install a swing - it will be even better. After all, the supports and the shield do not touch the ground. Moreover, additional bars are installed between the shield and the foundation, which provide airing of the shield.
The drawings of the two structures are shown below.
As you can see, a wooden garden swing is not so difficult to make.
How to make a metal garden swing
Usually, a welded structure is made in the form of the letter P, on which the seat is suspended using hooks with clamps or through.
It is made of pipes of at least 5 cm caliber. You can simply dig or concrete two risers, insert the axle from a wide wheelbarrow or cart into the pre-drilled holes and lock it with mounted wheels.
You can weld a wire with a swing onto the axle, because the axle will rotate freely. For greater effect, you can install it on bearings, as mentioned above.
To perform the second option, you need to weld something resembling the roof of a house. Everything is clear from the drawing.
Structures of this type can also be made from a profile. We will immediately warn you - not from drywall. That profile is very thin and may not support a swinging person. It is designed for stationary load.
The industry produces rectangular pipes, T-beams, I-beams. Here you can make a swing out of them. Their appearance is no different from the other structures described above.
The following options are more difficult to perform, because for their implementation it is necessary or to weld several pieces together.
For pipe bending, a proven method can be applied:
- a mandrel is being prepared;
- the pipe is tightly clogged with sand and corks (wooden);
- then carefully bend the future support along the mandrel.
These structures are distinguished by the fact that they can be easily carried or moved. True, this may require 2-4 people.
How to make a 3-seater swing
Usually, rocking designs involve a single, less often a double option. But now a 3-seater garden swing has come into fashion.
The installation of racks and suspension is identical to those described above, but the width is much larger.
To perform it, you need to make a special elongated seat that would accommodate three people, and install racks at a distance of at least 2 m.
The seat is available in two versions:
- Classic - everyone sits facing in the same direction.
- Modern - the average rider, looking in the opposite direction.
Let's consider the first option. He is easy to perform. For its manufacture, you can even hang a bench that can be seen in parks. But because of its large weight, this is not worth it. It is better to make a special seat yourself.
It can be made of aluminum pipes or wood. Below is the procedure for assembling the 3-seater seat. Its length is 1500 mm or more, the width and height of the backrest is 500-600 mm.
DIY wooden swing (video)
There is no better decoration for a summer house or a private house than a swing - an excellent place for an afternoon rest for the whole family. Would you like to install them in your area? In our instructions you will find all the necessary information on how to make a do-it-yourself wooden swing for a summer residence and a garden, and not only about that.
The material is conditionally divided into three parts.
- In the first part of the article, we will consider the properties of wood and which breed is better to choose to make a garden swing with your own hands. Next, we will clarify what types of swings are made of wood, and we will also provide a table with the calculation of the strength of the supporting structures so that you can calculate the weight load.
- In the second part of the material, we will conduct several step-by-step master classes from which you will learn how to make the most popular and not too complicated designs of wooden swings for summer cottages. Among them: single with a wooden frame, from a bar and logs, in the form of a sofa and a bench, from a pallet, double outdoor swings and a swing-balancer for children, as well as the simplest version from the board.
- The third part of the article is aimed at arranging a garden swing. We will discuss their decoration, painting and the choice of covers. You will learn how to make a wooden swing seat with your own hands, how to fix it and repair it in case of cracking. In conclusion, we will consider the main swing roof options for summer cottages and gardens and how to care for such attractions.
Wood as a material: characteristics and properties
To build a good swing, first of all, you need to take care of the selection of quality materials. The most popular is wood - a cheap and practical raw material that will not cause difficulties in use even for beginners, not to mention experienced builders. Outdoor swings for summer cottages made of wood are popular in all types of sites - they organically fit into landscape design, are easy to operate. Let's try to figure out what are the pros and cons of using such material.
Advantages and disadvantages of wood
You do not need to have serious carpentry skills to work with wood - for this you only need a few supplies (we will talk about them a little later). Among the advantages of wood it should be noted:
- environmental friendliness - such material looks more organic on the site, the more flowers, bushes and trees you place on it;
- aesthetics of wooden buildings - with a competent approach to decorating, the result can exceed all expectations;
- low price.
However, while listing the advantages, it is impossible not to pay attention to some disadvantages. The most significant of these is the relative fragility of wood. Unlike a metal swing, a wooden swing will require much more careful care. Wood with difficulties endures such natural factors as:
- rain;
- snow;
- direct sunlight;
- fungus and mold;
- insects;
- sharp temperature changes;
- decay processes.
That is why it is important to cover the tree with special antiseptics or just varnish, stain. 
What breed is better to choose for a swing
Consider the fact that some species of coniferous trees may be subject to rotting, which can be fought locally by covering the areas affected by the fungus with a special antiseptic (pinotex has proven itself well).
An excellent raw material for buildings of any type is oak, which has a significant drawback - the high price of raw materials. However, it is very durable, massive and quite easy to work with when decorating. 
Another option would also be the construction of a linden swing - it is rarely used for large buildings, because it does not have a sufficient degree of protection from the cold, however, this factor does not play a significant role for a swing. The material itself looks attractive, while possessing the necessary level of strength.
Strength calculation for wooden swing beams
The calculation of the strength of the swing is based on the crossbar on which the swing will be hung. The thickness / height / length of the crossbar is taken into account. In the table below, you can see what approximate loads the support will withstand with these quantitative values.
Types of garden swings made of wood
Swings made of wood are distinguished by a variety of shapes and methods of construction. We propose to draw your attention to the proposed options for country garden swings made of wood, each of them has a number of advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before starting construction.
By installation method
According to the installation method, the swing can be:
- stationary
- portable
- suspended
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By destination
A swing for the street to the country house can also be divided according to its intended purpose. Not every design is suitable for operation at the same time even by two people. This classification implies a division into swings:
- family;
- for kids;
- for adults.
 | Family swing. They can easily accommodate up to 4 people. They are based on a large bench, which helps to easily place both children and adults on a swing. Powerful fasteners must be installed on the structure and they must be made of durable wood. |
 | Wooden children's swing. This is a small design designed for light weight - most often they are designed for one or two places, and you can swing on them quite high. These are installed more with an entertaining than a relaxing function. An important component is the safety elements - a comfortable backrest and handrails that will help fix the position of the child. |
 | Outdoor swing for adults. They are considered one of the indispensable attributes of a site equipped for recreation. Such swings cannot swing widely, but in most cases they have canopies, which makes it possible to enjoy your vacation even in rain, wind or the scorching sun. Sometimes insect nets are attached to such swings - they become like tents, and can compete in comfort even with gazebos. |
Properties of different types of wood
A few words should also be said about the types of wood, because not every wood is suitable for creating a swing, because such a building must not only resist the challenges of nature, but also withstand certain loads every day. The tensile strengths of different types of wood are shown in the table below.
| Larch | Pine | Spruce | Oak | Birch | Aspen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| When compressed along the fibers | 64,5 | 48,5 | 44,5 | 57,5 | 55,0 | 42,5 |
| When stretched along the fibers | 125,0 | 103,5 | 103,0 | 168,0 | 125,5 | |
| When growing across the fibers radial | 5,6 | 5,4 | 5,0 | 8,0 | 11,1 | 7,1 |
| When growing across the fibers tangential | 5,2 | 3,5 | 3,2 | 6,5 | 6,5 | 4,6 |
| With static bending | 111,5 | 86,0 | 79,5 | 107,5 | 109,5 | 78,0 |
| When folded along the fibers radially | 9,9 | 7,5 | 6,9 | 10,2 | 9,3 | 6,3 |
| When folding along the fibers tangentially | 9,4 | 7,3 | 6,8 | 12,2 | 11,2 | 8,6 |
Wood is also chosen because of the texture - the pattern on the cut, which is obtained when the fibers or growth rings intersect. The texture is closely dependent on the type of wood: in conifers it is simpler, in deciduous it is very diverse. Here are the textures of some rocks:
An important physical factor is the gloss of wood. The greatest brilliance is distinguished by structures made of beech, oak and mahogany (otherwise - mahogany).
Do-it-yourself single swing made of wood
If you are interested in quality construction, then you should pay attention to the instructions and advice from experts. How to make a garden swing with your own hands from wood, we will now describe in detail.
You should start with the fact that a single swing for a garden made of wood is not designed for a large seated weight (up to 120 kg). Most often they are installed for young children. If you decide to install a children's swing, then, among other things, you need to consider a protection system for the baby in order to avoid falls and injuries.
Drawing and project
Do-it-yourself drawings of a garden swing made of wood will be necessary for a more detailed study of the appearance of the structure. The diagram should show:
- overall length, width, height;
- height of vertical columns;
- vertical beam length;
- the length of the mounting bars supporting the vertical posts;
- the distance between the seat and vertical beams on both sides;
- distance from the seat to the ground.
We have prepared for you a project and a drawing of a wooden swing, check it out below.
It will be important to indicate the thickness of the board and the area on which the swing will be located. It is best to create a drawing from several angles - the better you approach planning, the less likely there are errors in the calculations in the future.
Step-by-step instruction
You need to start building a swing for a garden with your own hands by choosing a place. Preferably the terrain should be free of holes and mounds. Otherwise, the swing will be uneven.
 | We construct side vertical pillars. To do this, take two bars 3100 mm. The length of the bars (side "a") can be calculated knowing the height of the swing (side "b") - 3000 mm and the angle at which the bars are connected at the top point - 30 degrees (β). The formula looks like this:
Base length - 1560 mm. |
 | Now, between the vertical posts, we push a horizontal beam (a chain with a seat will be attached to it in the future) with a length of 3000 mm. After that, we drill a through hole from the upper edge of the support post and screw in a screw with a nut, strengthening the structure. |
 | We tilt the structure on its side and drill two through holes in a horizontal beam at a distance of 750 mm from the edges (for the construction of a suspension). We screw the bolts with a washer into them, we wind the eye nuts onto the ends. Now we raise the support to the legs. |
 | Wooden spacer bars should be installed between the standing bars. We will fix with the help of metal corners and 5 mm screws. We fix the upper spacer with the help of corners. |
 | In this project, we mount the swing without installing a concrete base, so we cover the bars with bitumen to extend their service life. From above we cover the tree with a stain to give it the desired color. |
 | Let's take a seat. For the back we make bars with dimensions of 30x13x457 mm. For the seat frame, use bars with dimensions of 51x152 mm. You will need two such frames (seat and back). Attach the slats to the frames and tighten the seat and back with the help of corners. For convenience, you can nail the armrests to the seat. We fasten eye bolts to the sides (2 pieces on each side - one to the seat, one to the back). |
 | Let's put up a swing. We attach carabiners to the eye nuts and then attach two chains. The length of the chain that is attached to the seat is 1650 mm, and the one that is attached to the back is 1200 mm. Calculating the distance is quite simple, it is only important to remember that a sitting person should reach the ground with his feet. |
 | Since sitting on a wooden seat is not very comfortable, we advise you to sew special covers that can be removed and washed at any time. |
In order for both racks to have the same angle of inclination, we recommend that you first lay out the structure on the ground and then outline the necessary boundaries
Do-it-yourself swing from timber and logs
Timber is a material in which reliability is successfully combined with an attractive appearance. From it you can easily make a swing for both children and adults. Due to the fact that this material is quite massive, do-it-yourself wooden swings can turn out to be as beautiful as purchased ones and as strong as iron ones. 
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's decide on the main pros and cons of a log swing. Let's start with the positives:
- the swing is stable;
- such structures are difficult to damage not only to people, but also to adverse weather conditions, for example, strong winds;
- attractive appearance. As a rule, such swings look quite impressive, which makes them a real decoration of your garden plot.
Disadvantages, alas, are also present: a tree, as you know, is very sensitive to all kinds of insects, and protecting logs from pests is somewhat more difficult than ordinary boards. Wood, among other things, tends to rot over time.
Antique wood swing
If you want to make your yard a work of art, we recommend that you pay attention to the stylization of antique wood swings. For this you need:
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 | 2. Make notches and notches on all swing beams. |
 | 3. Cover with the first layer of stain, let dry, then cover with one more layer and leave until completely dry. |
Let's make a garden swing with our own hands step by step
We suggest you build a wooden swing in the form of a bench, which are shown below. 
First, prepare a flat platform for the swing. Use a building yardstick and pegs to mark the boundaries of your structure. Study the drawing of a swing made of timber with dimensions that we have compiled before proceeding with installation. 
It is necessary to prepare material for installation. You will need 4 beams 2070 mm long and 100 mm in diameter. They will be the support of the structure and are connected at an angle of 30 degrees in the form of an isosceles triangle (letter A). Base length - 1035 mm. The length of the partition at the base is 1035 mm. The length of the A-shaped partition is 455 mm (20 mm protrusion on each side). The width of the structure is 4500 mm, the width of the bench is 1500 mm. The diameter of all bars is 100 mm (it is not clearly visible in the photo, but we recommend using this particular size).
 | We make vertical racks for a swing. We take two beams 2070 mm long and place them on the ground in the form of an isosceles triangle. After that, using a compass and a pencil, we mark out a single circle on two bars with a diameter of 100 mm (each bar should have a semicircle with a radius of 50 mm). Using a grinder, cut out the marked area and sand it. We check how the horizontal beam fits into the recesses, if it protrudes, we file a little and clean the vertical racks. We do the same with the other side. |
 | Now we put the racks vertically and fix the horizontal beam with long bolts with washers and nuts. Fasten on the other side in the same way. |
 | We make horizontal partitions. On vertical racks we make recesses with a chisel and a hammer. It should turn out like in the picture. |
 | The first partition is A-shaped. To begin with, it is necessary to make a recess in it, since a diagonal support will enter it. We make a recess in the vertical pillars (for the upper and lower partitions). Next, we adjust the diagonal bar to fit the hole in the A-shaped bar. At the end, we cut it off at the end at an angle of 45 degrees and fasten it to the bolt. |
 | The top brace should be 1110 mm from the base, the bottom brace at a height of 50 mm. . We put the structure on its feet. At a distance of 1500 mm from the ends, we drill a hole and thread two bolts. We twist everything with eye nuts. |
Swing in the form of a sofa
This type of swing really impresses most summer residents with its attractive appearance. We will not consider how to make a swing sofa for a summer residence with our own hands, step by step, because. have already described how to make wooden supports, and this is 75% of the structure. Using the drawings provided by us, you can make stand-ups for such a swing. However, we will dwell on sofas for such swings in more detail.
Tips for building a sofa swing with your own hands
Such swings need to be varnished from time to time - this will protect them from both insects and cracks.
Pallet swing
Swings in the yard from pallets for summer cottages are popular with those who know a lot about savings and design ideas - such a design will be inexpensive and will attract attention from neighbors. How to make a swing from pallets with your own hands? Let's deal with this issue. 
Which pallets to choose for a swing
Garden swings can be made from virtually any pallet. There are three types of pallets:
- European (1200x800);
- Finnish (1200x1000);
- American (1200x1200).
The latter are the strongest of the presented, but at the same time the heaviest. Finnish swings are best suited for swings - they are equally strong and light. It is advisable to use new pallets, but if you don’t have any at hand, you can use used ones, having repaired them in advance.
- Rigidity. Pallets must retain their shape during deflection and not break, otherwise the swing is unlikely to support the weight of even an adult.
- Price. You do not need to spend a lot of money on the purchase of pallets, just as you do not need to save too much on their purchase. Here you should stick to the golden mean.
Do-it-yourself step-by-step instructions for swings from pallets
A simple but very comfortable design is a pallet swing sofa. Prepare pallets for work. Remove excess debris and excess nails from them (if pallets have been used before).
 | We are preparing a general drawing-project of a swing with a seat and a frame. In this case, the width is 3000 mm, the height is 3000 mm, 4 crossbars are used as a-shaped supports, set on two sides in the form of isosceles triangles at an angle of 30 degrees at the upper attachment point. (the shop is not the same as in the drawing, but the same size. The correct shop is in paragraph 2). |
 | Study the detailed drawing of the pallet swing itself, provided by our editors. |
 | We cut the pallets according to the drawing with an electric jigsaw. |
 | We knock down two pallets with nails between each other, as in the photo. If two pallets are taken for the seat, then take care of the load-bearing logs nailed from below (they will take on the weight of people). |
 | Make armrests. We use 4 bars of 80 mm in height and 35 mm in diameter. Nail them to the seat as in the photo. On top of each side we nail two boards, pre-sanded. We wind the eyebolts, on which the chains will subsequently be attached. |
 | We make vertical pillars. The creation scheme is the same as in the previous cases - we cut off the edges of two inclined beams, and put a horizontal beam in the center. Then fix with screws. We strengthen the edges of the horizontal beam with metal corners. |
For decoration, you can put a few pillows on the seat or sew a separate cover so that you can comfortably spend time on the swing.
Double outdoor swing
Double outdoor swing on wooden posts - an option for a family where children do not want to ride in turns at all. They are just as easy to make as singles, you just need a little more time. 
Double street swings also require additional calculations - in the drawing for the project, do not forget to consider the location of the seats so that they do not touch each other when swinging.
If the swing is a solid bench, then keep in mind that they will be quite heavy, so you should calculate the load on the mount in advance. We advise you to study the table provided in the section “strength calculation for wooden swing beams”. Structures of this kind have their own characteristics:
- Wider top bar. If the seats are not connected to each other, we recommend making a length of 4500 mm, if the seats are connected - 3000-3500 mm.
- Reinforced base (columnar foundation).
Materials and tools
We propose to make a double garden swing for a summer residence original - for two children with separate seats. Thus, children will get maximum pleasure while relaxing together. 
Tools:
- shovel;
- building meter and pegs;
- manual drill;
- bucket;
- capacity for mixing concrete;
- saw or grinder;
- hammer (normal and rubber);
- drill with drills;
- wrench;
- grinder with a disk for metal;
- welding machine;
- screwdriver
Materials:
- bars 100x100x3000 - 4 pcs;
- timber 70x200x4000 - 1 pc;
- bolts with eye nuts;
- carabiners for chains;
- metal chain 3000 mm long;
- plywood sheet 3 mm;
- paint (blue, red);
- corrugated pipe 10 mm and 50 mm thick.
Step-by-step instructions for a double street swing with your own hands
Building a swing for a garden with your own hands begins with choosing a suitable place on your site. Make sure that the area is open and permanent buildings are at least 5-7 meters from the site.
 | 1. We are preparing a project. After that, on the site we mark the boundaries of the swing with pegs. To make the structure more attractive, you can paint it in bright colors, but more on that later. |
 | 2. For the upper part of the swing frame, we use a professional pipe with a diameter of 50 mm. It is necessary to weld two parts 600 mm long at an angle of 45 degrees to the crossbar (if it is from a professional pipe) to get an isosceles triangle. If the crossbar is made of timber, then we use nuts and bolts, pre-drilling holes of the desired diameter. At a height of 250 mm from the base of the tubes, weld a spacer so that an A-shaped structure is obtained as in the photo. If you use a crossbar made of timber, then it will be able to withstand a weight load of about 250 kg. |
 | 3. We drill 4 holes for bolts with eye nuts. |
 | 4. It is necessary to prepare vertical supports from a bar for a double garden swing. We attach them to the triangles from the professional pipe. We drill 5 holes in each triangle and tighten the screws. We do the same with the remaining legs. At the end, we cover the lower part of the bars with an antiseptic for a longer service life. |
 | 5. We take plywood and a jigsaw. Using a pencil, draw an equilateral triangle with sides 600x600x500 mm. Cut out the triangle and round its corners. After that, using self-tapping screws, we attach to the vertical bars, closing them. |
 | 6. Now you need to make a columnar foundation. Using a hand drill, we make holes with a depth of 400 mm. At the bottom we fall asleep a layer of sand (100 mm). Next, install the legs of the swing and pour the concrete solution. We are waiting for 2-3 days until it hardens. |
 | 7. Installation of seats. To do this, take several steel rods with a diameter of 10 mm and bend them as shown in the figure. Then, by welding, we combine them into a single structure. At the top, along each of the edges, we weld fasteners for chains. Repeat the process for the second seat. |
| 8. Finally, you need to connect the seats to the upper horizontal beam using chains. We measure 4 segments of 1800 mm. Next, we attach with the help of carabiners to the eye nuts. It remains to decorate the swing. We take blue and red paint and paint the seats, as well as the racks. Let dry for a day and enjoy. |
Wood swing balancer
You already know how to build a swing for a dacha with your own hands, but if you don’t want to deal with suspended structures, then we can offer a balancer-type design - an option for sharing leisure time with a child or for general children's entertainment.
Features of balancers
Children's homemade wooden swings of this kind are good because they are difficult to break or damage. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that such entertainment is only suitable if you have two children or you are constantly focused on playing with a child, since it makes no sense to ride a balance beam on your own.
In addition, balancers are several times more traumatic than conventional designs, and therefore it is not necessary to neglect safety rules when using them. For balancers in safety frames, handrails and backrests are made.
Step-by-step instruction
Do-it-yourself swings on the street are done as follows:
 | 1. Draw a drawing of your future swing-balancer. Specify the dimensions of all structural elements, as well as angles and radii. |
 | 2. Take a board 1500 mm long and sand it with sandpaper. Next, you should cut out small recesses 20 mm thick and 100 mm wide. The recesses should be located 280 mm from the ends of the board. |
 | 3. We cut out the details for the recesses with the dimensions as in the drawing. |
 | 4. Now you need a board 20 mm thick, measure as shown in the figure. Next, using a saw, cut off unnecessary parts of the board. At the end, take a brace and drill a hole. We sand it. After that, using self-tapping screws, we fix the parts to the recesses. |
 | 5. We make vertical posts for the base of the swing. We take a board 650-680 mm long, 50 mm high and 60 mm wide. We sharpen the end of the board in the form of a stake with the help of an ax, at the other end with the help of a brace we drill a hole with a diameter of 25 mm. |
 | 6. We take a device for attaching the board to the support posts with dimensions of 40x60 mm and a length of 160 mm. We sand and rub the ends in such a way that we get a pointed rectangle. Then, using a saw, we saw off a small piece from the end 3-5 mm long. We do the same on the other side. Next, using a long 25 mm drill, we drill through |
 | 7. Now you need a steel bar with a diameter of 24 mm and a length of 180 mm. Using a die, we make threads at both ends by hand. Thread length - 5-6 mm. We drive it into a drilled 25 mm hole in the bar so that it fits very tightly; |
 | 8. We assemble the structure. We connect a long board and a bar together with bolts (drill a hole through and connect). We drive the rod into vertical posts and tighten the nuts. For more strength, you can weld them on. |
The assembly of the wooden garden swing is completed - now you and your children can enjoy the new toy in the yard!
Board swing - the easiest option
A few words about how to make a swing from boards in the country with your own hands. More precisely from a single board. The design is one of the most popular among summer residents and country builders. 
Assembling a wooden garden swing usually requires some amount of time and materials. Here you only need one board and a rope. We will fasten this structure to a tree (an oak or any other massive tree will do). 
Unusual swing options
If you want to make something special for your children, we recommend that you pay attention to the unusual designs of homemade garden swings for summer cottages. Their main difference is in the material that is used either for the seat or for attaching the seat to the frame / tree.
You can create a swing with your own hands in a tire garden, for example. 
An excellent option for a wicker round swing is a tire suspended from several fasteners with a rope or chain. In order to make such a design, you will need to pierce the tire through and pass a rope or chain through the resulting holes, securing it. 
Another unusual swing option is floating benches. These are the most common benches suspended from a tree on ropes or chains. We recommend making such a garden swing from rattan or vines and then hanging it by carabiners from the ceiling of your veranda or on a tree. 
Another option is to make a swing in the form of some object, such as a car or an airplane. It will take more time for such a design, but in the end your children will constantly play on them. To do this, you will need to spend a lot of time on the manufacture of individual parts, as well as connecting them together. However, the result will justify all your efforts. 
Decoration and arrangement
Wooden swing for relaxation can be decorated in various ways. These can be both decorative pillows thrown on the seats, and intricate carvings along the edges of the bars. Lamps next to the swings, including floor lamps, look especially impressive. There are options to experiment with the rope - perhaps it can be braided with something bright.
Finishing Features
A beautiful wooden swing cannot be imagined without decoration and decoration. At the same time, even a non-professional can try himself as a carver - for this you need to have an electric jigsaw and a little imagination. Remember that hardwoods are somewhat easier to work with - although they are more reluctant to finish, the end result will look much better. 
You can paint the swing with the following materials:
- wood/metal paint;
- stain;
- antiseptic.
Painting
It is best to paint a garden swing immediately after filling. Paint should be chosen specifically for wood - it will not only lie better, but also protect the material from pests. At the same time, the paint, unfortunately, is not so durable - the swing will have to be repainted every few years. 
Paint is considered a good protection against pests and insects, and the look of a painted swing is aesthetically pleasing.
Choice of covers, mattresses and pillows
Swing covers, most often, choose bright colors - this is not a mistake, but it should be borne in mind that the material may fade in the air. It is best to choose fabric for garden swings from those that are considered waterproof (like a tarpaulin or raincoat fabric). There is no chance that you will always take the pillows into the house on time, and the rain will not be so terrible for canvas, and it is much easier to dry them later. 
Pay attention to the fact that people will come into contact with the fabric, and not only natural factors - in order to sit on a swing not only comfortable, but also pleasant, you need to make sure that natural raw materials are present in the fabric - for example , cotton or viscose.
The dimensions of the cover should be 3-4 mm larger than the parameters of the seat so that you can adjust the cover. To attach the cover to the bottom of the wooden seat, we recommend using a construction stapler. 
swing seat
If you don’t want to buy seats in the store, we suggest considering the option of how to make a swing seat with your own hands using improvised means. Pay attention to the fact that wooden seats will be more advantageous than metal ones - they are safer and more comfortable. On the other hand, their strength will be constantly tested, and it would be good to take this fact into account when designing. For comfortable riding, it is recommended to sheathe the seats with a soft cloth - this also helps to avoid unnecessary injuries. 
Types of seats for swings
According to the design of the seat for the swing, they differ:
- with a back - for both children and adults;
- without a back. Relevant for teenagers - for kids it can be too dangerous;
- with armrests and without them;
By size:
- for garden swings - in the form of a bench or sofa;
- single seat for an adult or teenager - no more than 600 mm in width;
- for children's swings - single with a width of not more than 500 mm, or even less.
According to the material of manufacture:
- plastic;
- tarpaulin;
- wood.
How to make a DIY swing seat
Do-it-yourself swing seat is extremely simple. You can knock it down from the boards: 
You will need:
 | Prepare the seat frame. To do this, sand all the bars and then knock them down with nails (or screw in screws). |
 | Nail the horizontal bars. The distance between each bar is 3 mm. |
 | Attach the bars to the seat, each of which is attached to the crossbar for the armrests. |
 | We recommend fixing the back at an angle of 110 degrees. |
The seat is ready. After that, it is best to cover it with a special septic tank or stain / varnish.
If the seat on the swing that you made turned out to be unreliable (or you see that it will soon become so), then it is worth repairing it.
- The most important thing is to remove the fabric and patch up the holes, after washing it. You can use raincoat fabric or other strong material to patch holes (if the seat on the garden swing is torn). Often, funny applications are attached to the place of the holes - they are sold in the store.
- Repair of a seat on a garden swing can be completely cardinal: you can remove the seat completely and wrap the frame with a nylon cord. You will ride on such a swing for a very long time - the cord is very strong, and in which case, it will not take as long to make a constriction as to do patching.
How to fix the swing to the horizontal bar?
We discussed how to assemble a country garden swing - it's time to clarify how to fix them. The dimensions of the drill, bolts and nuts, depending on the design of the swing.
If you are attaching to a horizontal bar from above:
- We drill a hole through with a drill;
- We insert a bolt with a washer;
- We wind the eye-nut from the underside of the crossbar.
If you attach to the seat:
- We drill a hole for fastening;
- We pass a bolt with a washer;
- We screw in the eye nut.
To prevent the nut from being pressed through, it is advisable to put a washer under its cap.
In the store you can find special mounts of various shapes and devices. There is only one drawback to such a mount - the swing begins to seriously creak during operation if the mount is not lubricated in time.
Outdoor swing roof
A do-it-yourself roof for a swing in the garden is done almost as quickly as the swing itself. When creating a roof, it is best to focus on the shape of the building and its purpose. Consider several options for materials for a wooden swing with a roof for the garden.
How to care for a swing
During construction (as well as during subsequent operation), it should be borne in mind that a tree for a swing does not differ in the same strength and reliability as, for example, metal. Therefore, you need to pay attention not only to how you will bring down the swing, but also to how to properly care for them.
- Once every few years (usually a period of 3-4 years is taken as the basis), it is desirable to treat the surface with a special anti-rotting agent.
- With some periodicity, we advise you to repaint the structure, refresh the colors.
- Do not forget about metal parts (for example, handrails on swing-balancers) - they will also need to be treated with a rust and darkening agent.
- Fabric covers should be washed periodically - once every one and a half to two months.
What and at what price to buy a wooden garden swing for a summer residence?
At the end of our material, we have prepared a small selection so that you have an idea how much a garden swing costs and which one is better to buy. Let's start with the most expensive and elite.
| Name | A photo | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 308 100 rub | Construction dimensions: 290x190x210 cm. Permissible load 300 kg. Made of larch (laminated timber). The frame is varnished, and all materials are environmentally friendly. VIP option for elite sites. | |
 | RUB 172,900 | The dimensions of this garden swing are 264x180x207 cm. It can withstand a maximum load of 300 kg. Made of coniferous wood, all materials are environmentally friendly. | |
| Garden swing “Aristocrat” |  | RUB 106,799 | Dimensions 224x167x200 cm. Withstands 200 kg. Ecologically clean luxury furniture, made of solid spruce. Additionally covered with antiseptics that protect against decay. |
 | RUB 95,401 | It has dimensions: 250x155x245 cm. It can withstand a maximum load of 200 kg. Made of natural coniferous wood, covered with acrylic lacquer. | |
| Outdoor swing Kampfer Talking |  | 47 039 RUB | Swing dimensions: 240x260x240 cm. The maximum allowable load is 150 kg. The posts are made from cedar. The kit comes with an awning. |
| Swing Gloria |  | 30 676 rubles | Dimensions: 221x265.5x212.5 cm. Maximum load capacity 200 kg. Also treated with special impregnation and moisture. |
| Garden swing Avola |  | 23 690 rubles | Dimensions: 208x165x204 cm. Made of solid timber (pine). Oxford fabric awning. The swing is treated with compositions against moisture and drying out. |
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