A porch swing can transform the look and feel of your porch. Although you could buy a ready-made swing, you'll save money by purchasing a kit. After that, hanging the swing is easy. On many swings the eyebolt (figure A) is used both to hold the arm in place and to provide an anchor point for the chain. Some swing kits don't include galvanized screws (figure B). If that's the case, replace the screws with galvanized or stainless-steel ones. Make sure the arms are centered over the supports (figure C) before securing them. Often the chain provided with the swing (figure D) isn't really adequate for the job. The links can pinch your fingers if you're not careful, and the chain could begin rusting after a couple of years. You could use galvanized chain as a replacement, but plastic-wrapped chain (figure E) is a better choice. It prevents the chain from pinching your fingers and protects it from rust. After assembling your swing, treat it with wood sealant (figure F). It will last much longer. When you attach the swing to the porch, through-bolt it to the beam (figure G); if you screw the bolts into the wood, they could eventually pull free.
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