Do-it-yourself country swing made of wood, drawings. How to make a garden swing from wood? Wooden swing with canopy

Swinging on a swing is a favorite pastime not only for children, but also for many adults. They relax, calm and bring the nerves into complete order. Currently, it is not difficult to purchase a ready-made design in a store. But it’s much more pleasant to make a swing with your own hands. The material can be wood or metal. Of course, you will need drawings. Use ready-made ones or create your own. Step-by-step instructions with photos and videos will tell you how to properly make a garden swing with your own hands in the country with little investment of money and labor.

The choice of materials for making garden swings is not so diverse and is limited to plastic, metal and wood. The last two options are more popular. Therefore, let’s consider the positive aspects of structures made from them.

The main advantage of garden metal swings is their durability and long-term operation. It is worth noting that metal structures can be forged, welded or collapsible. Each of the options will fit perfectly into the overall style of the summer cottage.

Garden swings are easy to make with your own hands

Advantages of wooden structures:

Ease of manufacture.
Economical in terms of material costs.
Large number of design options.
Harmony.
Safety.
Naturalness.

The last two points are most relevant to those who have small children. Environmental friendliness and non-invasiveness are the main criteria that parents should pay attention to.

Purpose

All swings can be divided into several groups according to the principle of purpose:

family type;
children's;
covered for gazebos and terraces.

Baby swing

The requirements for children's swings are always higher. So, they come with or without a frame. Those designs that have only a seat and suspension are called frameless. They are quite easy to install and remove. The main disadvantage of swings is the increased degree of injury and low level of comfort. Frame swings are much more comfortable.

Attention! One of the important conditions for installing a swing for children is reliable fixation of the support.

Family swing

Such a swing looks like a bench suspended from a frame. The frames are A- or U-shaped, and the side pillars are dug into the ground at least 0.5 m, filled with cement mortar. Such structures are very stable and have good strength. They can accommodate several people at once. That's why they got that name.

Swing for the terrace

The main difference between swings and others is that they have some advantages. They can be disassembled and reassembled.

Family swing allows you to accommodate several people

Drawings: how to read them correctly?

What is the drawing for? As with any design, this is an initial project in which everything is calculated down to the smallest detail. To correctly draw up a drawing, you will need to calculate all the parameters of the swing and the amount of material required. So, to make a family-type garden swing for a summer cottage, you will have to proceed from the following parameters:

bench width for one person (from 0.4 to 0.6 m);
seat height (0.5 m);
distance from the seat to the crossbar (calculation is made individually);
for suspended structures, the distance from the edge to the support post is determined as follows: 0.15–0.2 m when suspended on a chain of type 2–4 and 404;

Drawing of a garden swing

0.25–0.3 m for other chain types of suspension;
0.35–0.4 m for ropes.

Attention! With strong swinging vibrations, the seat can move in different directions and touch the supports. This is traumatic and very dangerous. Therefore, take this point into account when drawing up the drawing.

Making a garden swing: step-by-step instructions

Making a garden swing yourself is an interesting and not as difficult process as it might seem. We bring to your attention step-by-step instructions with photos of making a swing from wood with an A-frame.

Choosing a location is the first and very important step. You cannot install a swing in a place you just like. You should choose a surface with a perfectly smooth topography. This will simplify the installation process. In addition, it is better to choose a place for installation away from prying eyes. Then it will bring peace and satisfaction.

Advice. There should be no obstructions in front or behind the swing. Such as trees, a fence or the wall of a house.

Selection of equipment and purchase of materials

For a wooden structure you will need good quality timber, without cracks or knots. Oak, birch, spruce or cedar are quite suitable. For the frame base you will need:

cedar beam (10*10 cm) - 4 units. 3 linear meters each (for side supports);
cedar beam (8*8 cm) - 1 unit. 2.5 linear meters (for making the crossbar);
edged board (3*10*60 cm) - 1 unit. (for side screed).

For the bench you will also need:

cedar timber (4.5*5.6 cm) - 12 linear meters;
board for cladding (2.6*4.6 cm) - 18 linear meters;
pillows - for decoration (if desired, you can make them yourself);
suspension and fastening (chain, metal corners, hangers, bolts for furniture, various-sized screws).

Timber for building swings

As for construction tools, to make a garden swing, keep in your inventory the following necessary items:

Bulgarian.
Plane.
Screwdriver.
Level.
Electric drill.

Well, the preparatory work is completed, it’s time to start making a home-type swing.

Creating side posts

Advice. The base of the side pillars should be no less than 0.5 m wider than the seat.

First you need to calculate the upper corner of the rack.
Then you need to draw out the dimensions and work with a jigsaw.
The next step is connecting the structural parts.

Side stands of swing

It is necessary to connect the upper parts of the beams, securing them with furniture bolts.
Next, you should start working on the side ties. Externally, the racks should resemble the letter A. Therefore, you will need to mark the beams from the height of the soil.
Then the screeds are marked. The parts are cut out and fixed using self-tapping screws and corners.

Finally, 2 trapezoids of the same size, 0.1 m high, are cut out. They need to be attached to the inside of the beams using corners.

Seat installation

To make a comfortable seat, you will need to make two frames with dimensions of 20 * 5 cm. And one more (back) - 20 * 6.5 cm.

Their internal contour is fixed with stiffening posts.
Then you need to connect the backrest and seat using corners and screws.
Cover the seat with a special board.

Attention! Armrests can be installed if desired.

After this, attach the suspension to the seat using eye bolts.

Installation of a swing

Almost all the work has been completed and there is very little time left before your site will be decorated with an eco-friendly and comfortable wooden swing.

Install the supporting support onto the posts using self-tapping screws.
Dig holes for the support posts.

Fastening

Pour crushed stone into the holes, install stands and fill everything with concrete.
Adjust the inclination of the side posts using a level.

Attention! The angle of inclination of the side posts should be only 90 degrees. Pay attention to the depth. The supports should be dug to the same length.

Secure the posts with rope ties. They should remain in this state until the concrete hardens completely.
Before installing the garden swing, the wooden structure must be varnished.

Final stage

Check the fixation of the cross beam.

Swing frame

Drill holes in the beam to attach the eye bolts.
Install the seat.
The swing is ready. Enjoy the fruits of your own labors!

Garden swings are a great option for relaxation in the country. It’s especially nice when they are made by hand. Making them will take a little time, but you can enjoy the result every day!

Garden swing design: video

You should not mistakenly believe that swings in the country are made exclusively for children’s fun. In addition to swings designed for the weight of a child, there are a lot of quite interesting options that will become an excellent element of landscape design and a place of relaxation.

What to make a swing from?

Traditionally, swings are made of wood, metal, and a combination of these materials. However, the swing seat can be made of plastic, metal pipes, beams, strong rope, an old chair or a chair without legs. Tires and other waste materials are often used.

The main thing is that it is comfortable and safe to sit on the swing, and that the stands can withstand the loads placed on it.

Country swings are often equipped with canopies made of fabric, polycarbonate, wood, and roofing materials. This “roof” protects from bright sunlight; you can sit on the swing without the risk of burns.

What types of swings are there?

Soft swing chair

Before building a swing, you should think about its purpose (for children or adults to ride), location (excessively large models are inappropriate in small areas), seasonality (it is not appropriate to leave swings outdoors for the winter in not all dachas). It is also important to choose a model that fits well into the overall picture of the country landscape.

The swing can be mobile (collapsible) or stationary.

In turn, mobile swings can be suspended or equipped with a prefabricated frame that is installed on the ground.

Do you want to make a children's swing at the dacha for a child?

A children's swing is a great idea on how to entertain a child at the dacha, and the portal website also offers you information on. If you already have a sandbox, then read the article about building a playground with your own hands -.

You can make your own swing-balancer, swing-hammock, swing-sofa. Designs that are far from the classical representation of a swing design deserve special attention. Unusual swings can be:

And just recently, swings for disabled children appeared. The design with a platform for a wheelchair allows you to ride even for those who, unfortunately, cannot move independently.

Prices for garden swings

Garden swing

Making a hanging swing with your own hands

There is no frame provided for such swings. We will only make a seat, which we will later attach to ceiling beams or thick branches with chains or ropes.

Have you decided on the design of your swing?

Option 1. The simplest swing is an old tire tied with a rope and hung on a tree. You can also use a chain and secure it with a screw and nut.

Option 2. Place the tire horizontally. We cut 3 or 4 holes, insert metal hooks into them, which we secure with washers and nuts. We thread ropes or chains into the loops of the hooks.

Option 3. This is the most difficult option, which will require mastery of the grinder. The tire should be cut according to a certain pattern, bent and secured with long pins so that the resemblance of an animal or bird is obtained. One of the methods for making a country swing can be found below.

A swing made from boards (cut logs, wooden lattice, etc.) and ropes is a classic. It is enough to make 4 holes in the corners of a wide board and thread the ropes.

Instead of a board, you can use an old children's high chair, sawing off the legs and tying it with ropes.

A metal (steel or aluminum) hoop must be equipped with rope weaving so that a cobweb-seat is formed in the center. It is advisable to wrap the edges of the hoop with foam rubber and cover it with thick fabric. And to hang the swing, you will need several strong ropes, metal rings or other fasteners, which must be secured at least at four points around the circumference.

As one of the options, you can consider a swing-hoop, inside of which a metal basin is inserted. The edges of the pelvis should hold firmly to the hoop. Subsequently, the structure can be easily disassembled and re-qualified as a flower garden.

To make such a swing you will need two wide metal triangles, rivets and the material itself - tarpaulin. We fold it in several layers, stitch it around the perimeter, insert triangles and fasten it with rivets. All that remains is to hang the swing on a branch or beam.

To assemble a wooden swing on stands, prepare the following:

We use galvanized bolts as fasteners for such swings. We refrain from using simple screws and nails.

To additionally protect the material from damage and preserve its natural appearance, we use glaze. We first coat all wooden structural elements with it.

The finished swing is hung on a strong branch or fixed on racks with a cross beam laid on top of it. Use a wooden beam to assemble the support structure.

The lower ends of the wooden posts are treated with bitumen. To fix the racks, it is enough to dig a couple of holes about 1 m deep, install the racks in them, fill 20-30 cm of the height of the hole with a mixture of sand and crushed stone, and then pour concrete.

If you wish, you can make separate concrete pillars and attach a wooden beam to them with anchor bolts. Do what is most convenient for you. When using the second method, be sure to lay moisture-proofing material between the metal and wood. To give the frame greater stability, we support the racks with braces.

Options for attaching a seat for a swing

We make the swing itself in accordance with the following step-by-step instructions.

First step. We make supporting arcs-sticks. To do this, we use boards 22 mm thick (preferably pine) and plywood 12 mm thick. In accordance with the diagram, we draw a template and cut out 6 clubs.

Second step. Using plywood blanks, we outline the outlines of the core. The layer in the middle is made of glued board. In the outer layers of the outer sticks we create cutouts for the ends of the rope.

Third step. We fasten the parts of the support using waterproof glue. We tighten the support with clamps. We remove them only after the glue has completely dried.

Fourth step. We process the edges of the supports with a sander, giving them a rounded shape.

Fifth step. We cut out round pieces for the rope holders from a pine board. This is easiest to do using the appropriate drill attachment.

Sixth step. We treat the supports and finished rounds with a primer or weather-resistant paint.

Seventh step. We screw metal rope holders into the supports through roundels, and then cover the wooden elements

Eighth step. Let's move on to creating a seat for a homemade wooden swing. First of all, we align the picket fence.

Ninth step. Next, drill holes for screws in each plank. To make the holes as carefully as possible, we put a corner on the edges of the picket fence (can be made from plywood) according to the size of the planks with pre-made holes in the right places.

Tenth step. Screw the pickets to the supports. To ensure an even step, we place planks between the slats.

Eleventh step. We fix the armrests to the supports. We also make them from picket fences. We screw the metal bolts into the end of the planks. We place a wooden round between the support and the armrest.

Twelfth step. We thread the rope through the holes of the holders fixed in the swing support. We tie the rope into a sea knot, then we wrap wire, strong thread or cord around it.

Thirteenth step. Cut off the free edge of the rope using a knife.

Fourteenth step. We pass the rope through the oval hole in the armrests. We rest the armrest itself on blocks mounted on a pair of half-rings secured with bolts.

Fifteenth step. We wrap the rope around the cable thimble and tie it with a rope.

Finally, all that remains is to hang the ring from an alpine carabiner, fixed to the crossbar of a support or a thick tree branch. Your swing is ready!

Metal swings are also easy to make with your own hands.

First step. We cut blanks from pipes. You need to make 2 two-meter side posts, a 1.5-2-meter crossbar, and also 4 pipes of arbitrary size for the base (2 pipes will go on each side).

Second step. We clean the pipes from burrs using metal sandpaper or a file.

Third step. blanks for the base at right angles.

Fourth step. We weld the rack to the finished base, and then weld the crossbar to the racks.

How to install a crossbar on a metal swing

Fifth step. Let's start excavation work. You need to dig 4 holes with a depth of 80 cm.

Sixth step. We insert metal beams into the finished pits that are slightly longer than the depth of the pits.

Seventh step. Fill the recesses with beams with concrete mortar. You can make your own concrete from one part cement, one part crushed stone and two parts sand. Add water to the dry mixture and mix thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

Eighth step. We leave the concrete to gain strength for about a week.

Ninth step. We weld the hooks to the crossbar. Anchors can be used to make hooks.

Tenth step. We weld the frame of the swing to the metal beams.

Eleventh step. We attach the seat.

At this point, the homemade metal swing is ready. You can test it and put it into permanent use.

Video - Do-it-yourself swing for a summer house

Video - DIY baby swing

Today there are a huge number of accessories designed for the garden. One of them is a garden swing, which will not only become an attractive element of landscape design, but also a very useful structure. Both children and adults love to swing on swings, because this activity calms you down, lifts your spirits and has a positive effect on human health.

Which swing is best for a summer house?

For the construction of swings, only 3 types of materials are used - wood, metal and plastic. Each person decides for himself which one to use when making a swing for his own garden. To do this, it is necessary to study the advantages and disadvantages of different models.

Main features of wooden swings:

practicality and versatility . Wood is a material from which you can build not only the usual single swings, but also cozy sofas with several seats;
ecological cleanliness . Wood is of natural origin, so the material is absolutely safe for human health;
harmonious combination with the landscape . Wooden swings fit perfectly into any garden design. This advantage distinguishes the structures from their metal counterparts, which require appropriate design of the entire site;
safety . Wood is considered a fairly soft material, which significantly reduces the number of injuries received. This is especially important if children will swing on the swing;
ease of installation . Absolutely anyone who is at least a little familiar with construction work can make a wooden swing with their own hands;
efficiency . The monetary costs will not be large, since the material itself is inexpensive.

Characteristics of metal swings:

durability - This is perhaps the main advantage of such products. Metal is an eternal material that will not rot or break;
reliability such a swing is undeniable. The material is characterized by hardness and stability;
practicality . Metal is not afraid of the effects of negative environmental factors; it is not afraid of rain, snowstorms, or ultraviolet radiation;
low cash costs . Compared to high quality wood, metal will cost less;
variety of models . Swings made of metal can be dismountable, welded or forged. Each consumer will always be able to choose the appropriate option specifically for their site;
metal swing are able to decorate any plot or garden with their original look , however, the designs require appropriate stylistic design, otherwise they will not look very harmonious;
garden swing made of metal you can do it yourself , but this will require appropriate skills and abilities.

Metal swings have many positive characteristics, but they also have some disadvantages. For example, the dense structure and hardness of the material is good, but only on the one hand, on the other hand, the possibility of receiving various blows and injuries increases significantly. To prevent the metal from rusting, it is necessary to periodically coat it with a layer of special paint. In addition, many people believe that metal swings are inferior to wooden swings in terms of aesthetic features.

Pros and cons of plastic swings

As for plastic swings, experts find more disadvantages than advantages in them. Such children's swings for the dacha are distinguished by their low cost and a variety of colors. Among the disadvantages are:

plastic structures make the entire design of the garden plot cheaper;
Such swings are suitable only for children, but teenagers and adults will not be able to use them;
harmful fumes are perhaps the most significant disadvantage of the material. In hot weather, plastic heats up and releases toxic substances into the air that can have a negative impact on children's health. For this reason, it is better to avoid plastic structures altogether.

Types of garden swing designs

In addition to classification by material, garden swings can be divided according to the method of fastening the moving part of the product:

horizontal swing - such models are probably familiar to every person since childhood. The structures are long crossbars that have a fulcrum in the middle. In order to swing on such a swing, you need two kids with approximately the same weight;

swing with vertical suspension intended for individual use. Among such designs there are many different types: from simple bungees to solid original sofas and benches.

Swings also differ in location, and they can be placed either as part of an entire play complex for children, or stand or hang separately.

Showing your imagination, you can combine these two features in any way you like, resulting in amazing designs. For example, sofas suspended on chains, as well as circular swings resembling gazebos, are especially popular today.

No less important is the classification by size:

product for the whole family . As a rule, they look like a bench with a comfortable high back. Several people can swing on such a swing at the same time;
children's products with mandatory fastening belt. Such swings can be different: include a seat and suspension or have seats in the form of armchairs, etc.;
portable models Convenient and mobile, they can be positioned wherever needed.

How to make a wooden swing with your own hands?

If desired, you can make a wooden swing with your own hands. It is necessary to decide in advance on the material, design and purpose. In order to decide what appearance the product will have, you can look at photos of wooden swings on the Internet.

To work you will need:

wooden beams 100x100 or 50x100 mm. It doesn’t matter if the structure turns out to be massive, but you won’t have to doubt its strength;
boards needed to construct the seat. The footage of the wooden parts is calculated in accordance with the drawing of the wooden swing;
chain or strong ropes and carabiner;
concrete mortar;
nails and screws;
metal corners.

The tools you will need are a hacksaw, a hammer, a drill, a tape measure and a screwdriver. After everything is prepared, you can begin the main process of work, which consists of the following steps:

Making a load-bearing support

Initially, a lower frame is constructed on which vertical bars are fixed. The dimensions of the bars are set in accordance with the dimensions of the seat of the future design. All these measurements are recorded in the drawing of a wooden swing. The most optimal dimensions will be: depth - 60 cm and length - 180 cm. The frame must be slightly wider than the seat, about 50 cm. This condition is necessary for better stability and reliability of the entire structure.

After all the materials have been measured and prepared, you can begin to fasten the beams with metal corners. When making and installing a garden swing from wood with your own hands, you must also take into account the type of surface on which the structure will stand. If the swing is mounted on open ground without asphalt and concrete, then the beams from which the lower frame is made must be coated with bitumen. This composition will reliably protect the wood from rotting.

At the top points, the side supports in the shape of isosceles triangles are connected by a crossbar from which the seat is suspended. We lay out the lower part of the support, the swing platform, with boards. The side supports are installed at an angle to each other in pre-prepared holes. The supports are filled with concrete mortar. The transverse beams are mounted. The ends of the beams are treated with resin or bitumen varnish. The crossbars are fixed with metal corners on self-tapping screws. A crossbar is installed between the side “L”-shaped posts and attached to them with large nails through clamps. The supporting structure is ready.

After the frame is ready, vertical beams are mounted on it, which will play the role of supporting pillars. Installation is carried out using self-tapping screws and metal corners. The end result will be a pair of triangles; a horizontal crossbar should be secured to their tops.

Seat manufacturing

First you need to assemble a frame from bars. In total, you will need two such frames: one for the seat, the second for the back. Plywood or slats are attached to these frames - it all depends on which option suits you best. The seat is also connected to the back by corners.

Experts recommend leaving an angle of 120 degrees between the seat and backrest - this is the angle that will be optimal and most comfortable for sitting. Another element for additional comfort will be armrests, but they are not required.

Seat design diagram Seat mounting options for swing Wooden seat

Fastening

Hooks or staples are attached to the top crossbar. A chain or cable is passed through the holes in them. Their length is calculated so that a person sitting on a swing can reach the ground with his toes.

After this, the seat is attached. If desired, the design can be supplemented with an awning. To do this, you should build a frame from beams, and then stretch any waterproof fabric over it.

All joints are fixed with metal corners. Powerful screws are screwed into the crossbar for attaching chains. Lastly, the seat is attached to the crossbar. Ready-made swing for a summer cottage

A wooden seat will be hard, so it is recommended to place a couple of cushions on it for comfort. For long-term use of such accessories, it is better to make covers that can be updated or removed at any time for cleaning.

If you were wondering how to make a reliable wooden swing with your own hands, then you already know the answer.

Video instruction

How to make a swing from metal?

You can make a metal garden swing with your own hands, without the help of specialists. To do this you will need the following materials:

9 metal pipes with the same diameter;
8 corners;
two metal arcs with a diameter of 16 mm and a length of 25 cm;
2 wooden elements;
a couple of pieces of furniture foam rubber and 2 zippers;
cable.

The tools you will need are a welding machine, as well as metal paint.

DIY metal swing - diagram Metal swing diagram Hook fastening diagram

Stages of making a swing:

Preparatory work. This stage is very important, since it is at this moment that all calculations are carried out, and then a drawing of a metal swing is created.
Making a support. Based on the calculations carried out, a drawing is created that will help you make a garden swing from metal with your own hands. The pipes are prepared for welding: the rust is removed from them, the required length is measured, and a chamfer is removed from both sides at the joints at an angle of 45 degrees.

Based on the intended diagram of the swing, it is necessary to weld the pipes. When the support is ready, arches are attached to the upper part, on which the swing will then be mounted. The structure is coated with special metal paint.

The pillars are mounted into the ground. There are 2 bearings on the crossbar. Grooves into which the crossbar fits.

We must not forget that the practicality and aesthetic appearance of the future product will depend on the professionalism of the welder. For this reason, you should not start work if you are not confident in your abilities; entrust this task to specialists.

Creating a seat. The pieces of metal corner are welded according to the previously outlined garden swing pattern. Seat inserts are cut out of a piece of wood, and then they are inserted into ready-made metal rectangles. For sitting, you can sew soft mattresses that will become a comfortable addition to the entire structure.

Seat parameters Backrest parameters Necessary places for welding metal parts Finished seat design

Installation of swings on supports. For reliability, you should use either special fasteners or a strong rope. It is important to fasten the rope well so that it stays in one place; this is done using fasteners.

Mounting the seat on a pre-prepared support Fastening on a chain It is important to pay attention to the strength of the fastenings - bolts and chains It is possible to fasten the seat to the main structure using a carabiner Fastening the seat to the support

Installation of the structure. It is best if the swing is under a canopy or in a shaded place. The metal structure will be stationary, since its weight does not allow the swing to be moved.

Features of making children's swings in the country

When building a structure intended for children, some important nuances should be taken into account:

the swing should be as strong and stable as possible;
It is mandatory for children to have seat belts and special guards on swings;
when making a swing, you should take into account the height and weight of the child;
it is very important that the baby has the opportunity to reach his toes to the ground and stand up independently;
all materials used to create the structure must be environmentally friendly, safe and hygienic.

All these conditions must be taken into account when building a children's swing for the dacha with your own hands, because only in this case can you be completely confident in the safety of your child.

How to make a swing from tires?

The swing can be made of wood or metal, however, if you want to simplify the task using available materials, then ordinary tires are quite suitable. You can attach such a product to a tree branch or place it near any body of water.

The advantages of such a design include ease of manufacture, cost-effectiveness, as well as new sensations that every person who uses such an invention will feel. In addition, to make a garden swing from tires with your own hands, you do not need any drawings or diagrams.

Stages of making a swing:

First you need to install two pillars, which can be wooden or metal. It is very important that the posts are strong enough to withstand all expected loads.
A crossbar is mounted into the upper part of the beams, and bolts with rings are cut into it, into which a rope or chain is threaded.
At the bottom, the rope will be attached directly to the tire itself.

Take an old tire without serious damage Wash the tire thoroughly inside and out with a cleaning solution Purchase three medium-diameter U-bolts Drill six holes (two at equal distances from each other) for the chosen fasteners Bolt holes Check in advance that the holes for the bolts are drilled correctly bolts Paint the tire with spray paint of the desired shade and let it dry thoroughly Now place the bolts in the holes And secure with washers on the inside The result will be a design like this For the top of the swing you will need a strong chain with fasteners To create a reliable structure you will need four U-shaped fasteners For each From the bolts in the tire you need to attach a mount with a chain. On the other side, connect the chains using one mount. Secure the two ends of a small chain intended for attaching a carabiner there. You can hang the swing in any place convenient for you!

When creating a swing from a tire, it is necessary to take into account the mass of each element, since in the case of using wooden poles their tensile strength is important. In general, this design is more suitable for adults or older children, but not for toddlers. For greater reliability, it is recommended to use a metal chain rather than a rope as fastenings.

Now you know how to make a garden swing with your own hands, all that remains is to choose the most suitable design and materials, and you can get to work.

How nice it is to relax in the fresh air in good weather after a hard day at work. This is especially appreciated by owners of private houses and summer cottages. One of the options to create a convenient and comfortable place to relax is a swing. Do not assume that this entertainment is only for children's amusement. If you take into account the total weight expected for the structure and make the swing correctly, then they will not only be suitable for adults to relax, but will also become an excellent decoration and part of the exterior of the area.

There are many types of products that differ in design, purpose, material and principle of operation. We will look at the classic option - a swing made of wood. What is special about this material? What are its advantages and disadvantages? How exactly to make a wooden swing with your own hands?

Features of the tree

No one will deny that wood is the most popular material for construction purposes. He has been like this for many centuries. Its peculiarity is its affordable cost, practicality and ease of operation. Even a beginner can handle it, let alone professionals. For processing you do not need to have specialized tools and skills to work with them. In addition, wood is a natural material that will look great in landscape design and complement the exterior picture. To find out the full picture about a tree, you need to familiarize yourself with its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and cons of wood

We have listed several obvious advantages above. But that's not all. Below is an expanded list of the benefits of working with wood to create a swing:

Ecological cleanliness. The material is absolutely harmless. And if you take into account the fact that children or adults will constantly be in contact with the wooden parts of the swing, then you don’t have to worry about their health. In addition, they can be organically combined with flowers, bushes and trees.
Great appearance. The tree looks noble, and the same will apply to the swing. There will be no shame in showing them to everyone.
Low cost. It is clear that this depends on the type of wood, but inexpensive products that everyone can afford are suitable for swings.
Long service life. Although it is not metal, the structure, with proper protection and proper operation, can last quite a long time.
The swing can be given any shape, making it original and beautiful.
Wood is much warmer than the same metal. Therefore, it is much more comfortable to use. The seat and arms will not be cold.

However, wood also has its obvious disadvantages. They are related to the properties of the material. Note the fragility of the products. If there is a strong mechanical impact, the mechanism may break. In addition, caring for a tree is more difficult, because it constantly needs to be protected from external factors, such as:

precipitation (fog, rain, snow);
influence of ultraviolet rays;
mold and mildew;
influence of insects and rodents;
temperature changes;
natural process of decay.

This means that the tree will have to be coated with protective compounds every few years: stain, antiseptic, impregnation or varnish.

But whatever one may say, a wooden swing for a summer house is the simplest option, so many people prefer to use it.

Choosing a wood species

There are different opinions about which breed to choose. Experts agreed on coniferous species such as pine and larch. However, the price of the second one is quite high, so not everyone can use it to create a swing. What remains is pine. The material is strong, does not crack and does not suffer from insects.

Advice! No one protected the product from rotting. Therefore, during the work process it will be necessary to protect the products with antiseptics against fungus and mold.

Oak has high density and strength. Products made from it are durable. However, the downside is its high cost. Linden is considered an alternative. Usually it is not used for weighty buildings. But to create a garden swing made of wood with your own hands is what you need. Although linden does not have proper protection from the cold, it looks beautiful, has good strength and an affordable price.

The second important point concerns the choice of strength. It all depends on the crossbar on which the swing will be suspended. You need to take into account the thickness, height and length of the crossbar. Below is a table showing the approximate loads that the support can withstand at different values.

As you can see, wooden swings are an excellent solution; they are practical, beautiful and amaze with their variety. You also need to consider several different product options for your garden.

Varieties of wooden swings

Before building them, it is important to decide on the design, because there are many of them. Let's start with the installation method. There are these types of swings:

stationary swing made of wood;
portable swing made of wood;
hanging swing made of wood.

Let's start with a stationary swing made of wood. Their peculiarity is that the design is done once and for all time. They will stand in the chosen location all year round, throughout their operation. The peculiarity is its practicality, reliability and stability. The disadvantage is that they are tied to one place on the site.

Portable ones are mobile and can be installed anywhere on the site. If you feel hot, you can move them to a shady area. If it's cold, it's the other way around. The advantages are obvious and many people prefer this particular swing design. In addition, some species can be collected and transferred to another site.

A hanging swing made of wood is the simplest option. They are light, attractive, functional, and it won’t take much time to create a swing. You just need to find a strong tree on the site and hang the swing. However, the disadvantage is insufficient strength. And many people won’t fit on it.

Other products can be divided by purpose:

for family;
wooden children's swing;
adult swing made of wood.

A family swing made of wood is an excellent relaxation option for the whole family. They can accommodate 4 people. The design is based on a large bench that can accommodate both children and adults. The main requirement is reliable and powerful fasteners, which are made of durable wood. After all, the weight of four people can reach up to 300 kg.

A children's wooden structure is a small product that can withstand the small weight of a child. In this case, it can be made on the bottom of the seat or on two. They serve more for entertainment than for decoration. Such children's wooden swings in the photo:

As for swings for adults, this is one of the indispensable attributes of a country house. They do not swing widely, but have canopies that protect those swinging from the hot sun, wind or rain. And to protect yourself from insects, a mesh is attached to the structure. With such a wooden swing you don’t even need a gazebo.

Drawings of a wooden swing

Proper creation involves creating a project in the first stage. It will serve as a guide and help with the work. To do this, the design is worked out in detail on paper. Here are the parameters that need to be specified on the diagram:

Main dimensions: length, width and height of the swing.
Height of vertical support posts.
Vertical beam size.
Dimensions of the mounting bars that will support the vertical stand.
Distance between the seat and the side beams installed in a vertical position.
Size from seat to ground.

Below is a project that will help you make a wooden swing for your garden with your own hands. The drawings can be changed or left as is.

It would be a good idea to clarify the thickness and cross-section of the wooden board on which the wooden structure will be located. As you can see in the picture above, the drawing consists of two angles. This will help avoid mistakes in the future. Now we can look at step-by-step instructions on how to make a garden swing from wood.

From theory to practice

It all starts with choosing a site for construction. If it is a mobile swing, then the location does not matter. However, for stationary patients, you should choose the optimal place in which it was comfortable to be. In addition, it is recommended to choose a flat terrain, without holes or drops. Otherwise, it will be more difficult to align the wooden swing.

Now you can start creating a wooden swing according to the drawings. The instructions are as follows:

First, we create a side vertical part consisting of pillars. We will have 2 of these. To do this, we need two bars, 3.1 m long. Finding out the length of the throws (“a”) is easy if we know the height of the swing (“b”). So, the height of the swing is 3 m, and the angle of connection of the bars at the top point is 30° (“β”). In this case, we get the formula: The length of the base is 1 m 56 cm.
Next, between the vertical posts you need to insert a horizontal board, to which in the future the chain with the seat will be fixed. The length of the board is 3 m. After which you need to drill a solid hole from the top of the support beam and secure it all with a screw and nut to strengthen the structure.
Now you need to tilt the swing to one side and drill two holes through the horizontal beam. In this case, you need to retreat 75 cm from the edges. They are needed to create a suspension. You need to screw the bolts and washers into the holes made, and screw the eye nuts onto the ends. The wooden swing can be turned back over.
To strengthen the structure, spacers made of wooden blocks must be installed between the support beams. They can be fixed using 5 mm screws and metal corners. The upper spacer is fixed using corners. The diagram is shown in the photo below.
In our case, we will not concrete a wooden swing. Therefore, the ends need to be protected with bitumen and buried. This will extend their service life. As for the structure itself, it needs to be covered with stain. It will add color to the swing and make it protected.
It's time to make the seat out of wood. To create a backrest you need beams, the size of which is 30x13x457 mm. For the seat frame you need beams measuring 51x152 mm. Two frames are required, for the seat and back. Slats are attached to the frame, the seat and back are tightened using corners. To make swinging more comfortable, you can create armrests. Eye bolts are screwed to the sides. You need 2 pieces on each side, one for the seat, the other for the back.
All that remains is to hang the wooden swing. You need to attach carabiners to the eye nuts, and then attach two strong chains to them. The required length of the chains fixed to the seat is 1.65 m, and the length of the chain fixed to the back is 1.2 m. This is easy to calculate, because when swinging, it is important that a person does not touch the ground with his feet.
To make swinging on them more comfortable, the swing seat should be modernized. To do this, you can sew soft covers with foam rubber. If necessary, they can be removed and washed.

This was one of the options for making a wooden garden swing. Their variety can be seen in this video. It indicates how the creation work is carried out.

Wooden swing made of timber

Timber is an excellent material that combines attractive appearance and reliability. The design is original and rustic. Similar wooden garden swings in the photo:

What are the advantages of such designs? They are stable and durable. It will be difficult for both adults and children to damage the swing. And weather conditions do not have such an effect on the product. True, there are also disadvantages. This is sensitivity to insects, as well as the property of rotting over time. And it is more difficult to process timber than boards.

But still, the material is used to create a swing. We will look at detailed creation instructions. First you need to prepare the tree. The preparation is as follows:

Sand the surface.
Make notches and notches along all the beams.
Cover them with the first layer of stain, leave them to dry, cover them with a second layer and wait until dry.

Now everything is ready to make a swing with your own hands from wood, as in the photo:

The first step is to prepare a flat area on which the swing will be installed. Use a construction meter and pegs to mark the boundaries of the product. To create, you can use the drawing that we prepared for this task.

For work we will need 4 beams, 2 m long, 10 cm in cross section. This will be the support of the wooden swing. They are connected in the same way as the previous ones, at an angle of 30°, forming an isosceles triangle. The length of the base is 1 m. The length of the base partition is the same 1 m. The length of the additional partition is 45 m, with a 2 cm protrusion from each side. The total width of the swing is 4.5 m, and the width of the bench is 1.5 m. It is suitable for several people.

Creation instructions:

All that remains is to hang the bench and the wooden swing is ready for use. It’s better not to make it yourself, but to take a ready-made one. It is installed in its place.

In this video you can see instructions on how to make something like this swing with your own hands.

Choosing covers, mattresses and pillows

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of pillows and mattresses. They are often used to make operation more convenient. To begin with, bright colors are usually chosen for wooden swings. This cannot be called wrong, but it is important to remember that such fabric will fade greatly in the sun. For garden swings, waterproof fabric such as raincoat or tarpaulin is better suited. Then the pillows will not be afraid of moisture.

It must be remembered that the material will constantly be in contact with humans, and not just with the influence of natural forces. Why not make the material more enjoyable. For this purpose, you can use fabric with natural raw materials such as cotton/viscose. It will be more pleasant to sit on such fabric.

As for the size of the covers, they should be 4 mm larger than the seat, this will make it easier to adjust the covers. To fix the cover to the bottom of a wooden seat, it is better to use a stapler.

Conclusion

A swing made of wood is an excellent anti-stress in a summer cottage or private area. They have many advantages, including low cost, beautiful appearance and ease of material processing. Based on the instructions, you can make a reliable and durable wooden structure. The swing will delight all family members.

This design is mounted on a summer cottage for various purposes. Some believe that swings will diversify children’s leisure time, and they will not interfere with parents’ work on the garden beds. Others themselves would not mind resting and gaining strength by slightly swaying on a “hanging board.” Still others try to embellish their territory in this way and add an original “zest” to its design.

There are many options, therefore, swing designs vary significantly. Let's consider the general aspects of making a garden swing with your own hands from wood, as well as the most common drawings. And what exactly to choose is easy to decide, depending on your own wishes and capabilities. The main thing is to understand how to do it correctly and what to take into account.

If you walk through the territory of a gardening association, you will not find plots that are absolutely identical in layout. Naturally, each owner himself focuses on the dimensions of the swing that are acceptable for his dacha. It’s hardly worth “looking” at standard drawings when drawing up a diagram, since a huge advantage of making something with your own hands is the possibility of independent design.

That is, the swings are made in such a way that, on the one hand, they do not become a hindrance, and on the other hand, they fully correspond to their purpose.

It’s not difficult to determine their size if you remember what scaling is. Therefore, you can take any drawing you like as the original one, and remaking it for your site is not a problem.

Since we are considering the issue of making it from wood, it should be taken into account that it deteriorates quite intensively in the sun. Cracks that cover all the parts of the swing will lead to the fact that after a short time it will be necessary to carry out either partial repairs or complete restoration associated with the dismantling of the elements. For metal structures this is not so important, but to install a swing made of wood, it is advisable to choose a shaded place. Or one that is illuminated by direct rays only for a small part of the day.

It is quite a mistake to think that a canopy (canopy, awning) mounted above the “suspended board” will save you from the sun. If we are talking about who uses the swing - yes; shade will be provided for him. But what about wooden supports and crossbeams, which will begin to dry out quite quickly? All this should also be taken into account, unless, of course, you are making a swing for short-term use.

There is no need to talk about such criteria for choosing a location as distance from fences, trees, or the walls of a garden house - these are elementary things. You need to think not only about the ease of use of the swing, but also about safety. Especially if they will be primarily used by children.

Construction type

The choice is small - stationary swings, collapsible or hanging. It is unlikely that a tree left on a site in winter will last long. From the point of view of practicality and reasonable savings on materials, it is advisable to focus on the second or third option.

Naturally, we are not talking about complete dismantling of some types of collapsible swings. No one will remove the same supports from the ground every year at the end of the season in order to do everything all over again in the spring. But it’s worth thinking about the possibility of partial disassembly of the structure.

In this regard, you should correctly determine the fastening elements and methods of connecting the components. It is clear that nails are definitely not suitable for assembling a mobile structure. Staples to strengthen it - as well. The optimal choice is metal plates (corners) and screws and bolts.

Wood species

Since swings are made for installation in a garden plot, their durability is largely determined by the resistance of the material to external factors. First of all – dampness. Any do-it-yourself technology involves reasonable savings, so we can only talk about inexpensive and accessible breeds in the country. It is advisable to choose only conifers. The presence of resin in their structure is already a definite guarantee against wood rotting.

It makes no sense to purchase cheaper spruce due to the insufficient strength of the material. Perhaps this breed is good for constructing something that is static. For example, a garden bench. Swings subjected to significant dynamic loads require stronger wood. Therefore, pine or larch. The latter type is even better, since over time, when wet, it gains additional strength.

Options for wooden swings

For a person who is able to make something without outside help, with his own hands, to explain the “basics” of design and assembly is wasting his time. But it makes sense to arm yourself with some ideas. A few examples will help you make the right choice of option. Perhaps it will give you the idea of drawing up your own original drawing.

This is not a rigid standard, but the data provided will facilitate the process of selecting the size of wood needed for a swing.

In order for the swing to stand firmly, soil compaction alone is clearly not enough. Another option is to install a timber support frame. It is not difficult to attach the entire structure to it, given that it is made of wood. And there will be no problems with dismantling.

If the timber is properly impregnated (for example, with waste machine oil), then it will be in good condition for several years. And for the winter, the frame can also be removed from the garden plot.

The article provides comprehensive information on the features of making wooden swings. Everything else - sizes, shapes, drawings - is at the discretion of the master. But the author does not consider it correct to impose, in the literal sense of the word, any specific model of garden swings.

Good luck, do-it-yourselfers!