The Advantages of a Glider

If you are looking to add a swing to your porch or yard, let me take a moment to recommend that you at least investigate purchasing a glider instead of a traditional hanging swing, especially if the area you want your swing to be located is in your yard or patio where there is no roof available.
A mission glider, unlike a hanging swing, functions by use of a gliding track system. This track system is located underneath the glider’s seat, allowing it to slide and swing without being suspended by chains as a traditional porch swing is. There are several advantages to the use of the gliding track system.
First off, porch swing chains are prone to rusting, causing extra work and additional expense in replacing them. The vast majority of gliding track systems, however, are made with rust-proof zinc hardware, making rust much less of an issue.
A second advantage to the glider is that it takes up less space than a hanging swing. If you hope to put some sort of swinging outdoor furniture in your yard or on a deck or patio without a roof, you will have to purchase an additional stand if you wish to hang a suspended swing. With a glider, on the other hand, the swinging mechanism is self-contained, allowing it to take up about the same amount of room as a stationary bench. This difference in size also makes the glider much easier to relocate.
However, gliders are not for everyone. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of both the glider and the suspended swing before making your final purchase.

Finishing Your Porch Swing

We all know that your swing is the most important part of your porch. For many people, their outdoor porch swings are not only a source of comfort and enjoyment, but also the focal point of their entire porch or patio. For this reason, it is important that you keep your swing looking its best for the many years to come. If your swing’s beauty fades, it will affect the attractiveness of your whole porch; and since your porch is the front of your home, the appeal of your entire house will suffer.
Therefore, it is crucial that you apply a proper finish to your outdoor swing. A treatment such as a varnish or a translucent finish will emphasize the grain of your wood, while creating a rich, beautiful, and glossy color. If you prefer the appearance of an opaque paint, you can coat your swing in literally any solid color of your choosing. In other words, you can create virtually any design that you want to on your porch by finishing your swing accordingly. These treatments not only look great and add style to your porch, but they also protect your swing from the harmful effects of rain, snow, and other moisture. The main purpose of a finish is to keep the wood safe from rot, mold, and other sorts of decay and to prevent insect damage.
To keep your wooden porch swing looking attractive, and in effect keeping up the appearance of your entire house, be sure that you apply a finish to the swing. Otherwise, it will be subject to the forces of nature and eventually lose both its beauty and its ability to function.

Find Comfort with a Padded Rocking Chair

An outdoor rocking chair is a classic and comfortable way to enjoy your backyard and relax. However, if you are looking to increase your comfort and reach a whole new level of relaxation, you might be interested in a padded rocking chair.

Traditionally, outdoor rocking chairs are fashioned entirely from wood. The user would sit directly on the wooden seat and the wooden spokes provide support for your back. Although this design is quite attractive, if you sit in a classing wooden rocking chair for an extended period of time, it leaves something to be desired in the way of comfort.
Padded rocking chairs, on the other hand, sport cushions both on the seat and the back. These cushions allow you to sit for as long as you want without growing uncomfortable or needing to relocate. That way, you can spend hours on your patio, enjoying both the soothing rocking motion and the beauty of the outdoors, without having to worry about comfort or support for your body.
When purchasing your padded rocking chair, make sure that you buy an outdoor one. If you buy one of the many indoor padded rocking chairs, the fabrics will be unable to stand up to the harsh elements of rain and snow. Outdoor padded rocking chairs use weather-resistant fabrics to ensure the long life of your rocking chair.

Swinging Together

Once upon a time, swing seating was limited to two people and that was it. A swing could be enjoyed with a friend or lover, but swinging was never a family activity. Until now, that is. Today, as I was surfing the web, I stumbled across the garden swing gilder. This nifty glider set feature two regular sized swings facing each other under an impressive canopy. This swing set could fit four grown members of your family; and even more if your small children want to swing. What a great way to bring your family together!
Not only will a garden swing glider allow your whole family to swing at once, but it is also incredibly helpful in creating quality time together. Instead of watching a movie in silence, why not spend your family night out on your swing glider? Since the swings face each other, the unit is highly conducive to personal conversation. It will allow you to interact on a deep and meaningful level, since sitting facing each other is the most intimate position for conversation. A swing glider will allow you and your family to enjoy each other and your backyard at the same time, and hopefully bring your family closer to each other in the process.

Choosing the Right Cushion For Your Swing

No outdoor porch swing is complete until you buy cushions or pillows to go with it. Not only do cushions soften a wooden swing and make it more comfortable, but they also provide you with an arena to show more of your aesthetic taste and incorporate your swing with the rest of your outdoor decor.
However, there are definitely certain materials you want to look for when choosing cushions for your swing. You will want to make sure that your pillows will be able to stand up to all the elements it will be facing outside.
The most important element your cushions will need to resist is rain. Therefore, it is crucial to look for cushions that are made of materials that dry quickly and can be waterproofed. The best option for outdoor swing cushion materials is canvas coated with PVC. PVC will help to repel water off the pillow, keeping it drier and more protected. Cushions made of this material are also more resistant to dust, pollen, dirt and UV rays. These protective features allow the cushion to retain its original strength and resist fading for years to come.
When you are shopping for cushions for your porch swing, it is essential that you get high-quality cushions made of the proper material. Otherwise, your pillows will remain wet for too long and last for a very short period of time, making your swing less usable than before you bought your cushions.

Enjoy Your Swing, Even in the Cold

One of the worst things that can happen to your porch swing is the weather getting too cold for you to be able to enjoy it! When the seasons start to change and the autumn begins to cool down, it just can be too chilly for you to sit on your swing for very long. Luckily, you can avoid this porch catastrophe by purchasing a patio heater.
Patio heaters come in several different varieties, all of which will keep your porch nice and toasty. The three main types are wall-mounted heaters, tabletop heaters, and freestanding pole-mounted heaters.
Wall-mounted heaters are installed on the walls or ceiling of your porch. These heaters keep your patio free of clutter, and are the best option if you have children or pets, or if you yourself is accident-prone.
A tabletop heater sits on top of a patio table, and is much smaller than a pole-mounted heater. These heaters are great, but only if you have the table space to sacrifice.
Finally, there is the pole-mounted heater. These heaters are quite tall and sit on the ground, but they also create a lot of heat.
No matter which kind of patio heater you decide to purchase, I know you will be happy that you can enjoy your porch swing, even when it’s cold out!

Create a Beautiful Arbor Swing

An arbor swing can be a beautiful addition to your backyard, because not only do you get to enjoy your swing, but you get to view beautiful flowers while you swing. However, to produce the most attractive nook you can, you need to know at least a small bit about arbor gardening. Here are a few tips on what plants grow best on the swing arbor and how to grow them:
• You obviously want to grow plants that are vines on your arbor. A few beautiful and popular choices are climbing roses, wisteria, trumpet creeper, grapes, and passionflower vines.
• Be sure to place your arbor where it won’t block sunlight from other plants in your garden.
• Place the arbor in a location where your plants will receive plenty of sunlight.
• Make sure your arbor is shielded from strong winds.
• Keep the base of your plants mulched with four inches of organic mulch, so that the soil retains water better.
• Be sure to check on your plants and water them daily.
• Train the vines to climb up the arbor. You might need to purchase weatherproof garden twine to tie them to your arbor as they grow.
If you follow these simple suggestions, you can basically guarantee that your backyard will boast a beautiful arbor.

Try Something New with a Hammock Swing!

I don’t know about you, but the hammock is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the outdoor. It is so comfortable, and is the perfect spot to lounge around, lie back, and relax. However, there is more than one way to enjoy a hammock.
One of the most unique options is the hammock swing. Hammock swings combine the design of a hammock with the fun of a swing. Although traditional hammocks can move back and forth, it is not really that good for the structure of the swing to do so. The traditional hammock also makes it difficult for you to change positions and sit up. You can really only lie down on a hammock. But the swing hammock combines the best of both worlds. This hammock swing allows you to sit up or lay down. It also is compact enough to fit on your porch, whereas a full-length traditional hammock never could.
Personally, I would much rather have a hammock swing on my porch because I find the fabric more comfortable than the traditional wooden swing. I am also pretty lazy, and I like the way hammock swings allow you to lay around and slouch. If you are shopping for a swing for your porch, don’t forget about hammock swings!

Save Money with a Rocker

While a porch swing or glider is a fun addition to your yard or patio, they also can be fairly expensive. Especially in today’s economy, if you are on a budget, but you still want something to swing on, I recommend you check out an Adirondack rocker.
The Adirondack rocking chair combines the classic comfort of the Adirondack chair with the relaxation of the rocking chair. Although it is not as large as a classic swing or glider (which can typically seat two or three people), this rocker is the perfect size for one person. If you want to curl up with a good book or sunbathe in your backyard, this rocker will do the trick.
Although swinging and rocking is not exactly the same thing, and this Adirondack chair definitely is not the same as a swing, sometimes you have to make sacrifices to save money. However, I think that an Adirondack rocker barely qualifies as a sacrifice. It is an incredibly relaxing and attractive alternative to an expensive swing, and will get the job done. Plus, the cost is under two hundred dollars for an Adirondack rocker, which is significantly less money than a porch swing or glider would cost.

It's All in the Details

Your porch swing is obviously the focal point of your porch. However, it is important to include the right outdoor furniture accessories to complete the look and style of your patio. Otherwise, your style will fall flat and your swing will look barren and unattractive. If you don’t create a complete and aesthetically-pleasing porch, complete with accessories for your furniture, you will not be able to enjoy porch swing to the fullest extent you could be able to.
One of the most important furniture accessories for your swing and other porch chairs is cushions or pillows. You can purchase these pillows in essentially any color or pattern that you want, and they come in many different sizes. Or, if you can’t find the exact look you want and desire a little more customization, why not make your own? It is really simple to sew your own pillows, and if you are looking to save money, you can even make one out of a tablecloth!
Also, the little thing make all the difference when it comes to decorating. Vases for your table with fresh flowers, paintings or clocks on the wall, and even hanging plants or planter boxes, will finish your porch’s look.

Why a Loveseat Glider?

If you want to add a swing to your backyard, but you don’t have a surface to hang it from, you can choose to invest in an outdoor loveseat glider instead. Of course, there are plenty of suspended swings that have their own stand, but you don’t want to add that bulk to your backyard, the loveseat glider is definitely the way to go. This glider has all the appeal of a swing, but none of the bulk and restrictions.
Plus, what can be more romantic than cuddling up with that special someone in your garden or maybe even overlooking a pond or fountain? A loveseat glider is clearly designed to be enjoyed by two, and is the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and the closeness and conversation with a friend or lover.
These gliders are made from gorgeous natural wood, which really complements the beauty of the outdoors. You should definitely check out a loveseat glider for the romance it brings and for the natural beauty is possesses.

What Makes Cypress Swings Different?

There are many different options for of what wood you want your porch swing to be made. It can be somewhat overwhelming if you are shopping for a new swing, especially if you’re like me (before I did my research, of course) and know nothing about the different types of wood.
One option you need to consider when buying a porch swing is cypress wood. Cypress is slightly different than other wood choices for porch swings. Cypress swings are known for their strength and their durability.
Cypress creates “cypressene,” a natural preservative in the form of oil. Its heartwood naturally resists insects, rot, chemical corrosion and other similar potentially damaging elements. Therefore, cypress has been a smart choice for outdoor furniture for thousands of years.
Cypress is also an incredibly stable wood that is exceptionally resistant to warping and cracking. The dimensional stability also allows cypress to easily be painted and stained with incredible results. It will take the color extremely well, and resist chipping and fading. However, cypress is naturally beautiful and many people choose this wood because of its honey-like hues. For a completely natural cypress look, you can use or clear sealant, or you can allow the wood to weather to a dark gray.

Should I Get a Glider or a Swing?

If you’re looking to add a log porch swing to your patio, there are several options to consider. The two main choices you have are a suspended swing or a glider.
Suspended swings hang down from either the roof of your porch or from a free-standing frame. These supports are typically made from rope, chain-link, or wood. If you choose to hang your swing from the roof, you will need to make sure it is well-attached with a strong enough screw or hook. Don’t skimp on quality if you don’t want your swing to fall down one day in the middle of use. If you want to be able to move your swing around, you may want to choose a swing that hangs from a self-supporting frame.
Another option to consider is a buying a glider instead of a suspended swing. A glider is a bench that is mounted on a mechanical glider base which allows it to move back and forth. Gliders usually need less space than suspended swings do, and they are even easier to move than suspended swings with self-supporting frame.
When deciding which kind of swing you want to purchase, be sure to consider the space you have, how permanent you want the location of your swing to be, and what you find to be most aesthetically appealing. Both swings and gilders are excellent additions to your porch.

Enjoying Beverages from Your Swing

Your porch swing can be a great place to pass time and entertain your guests. It can also be the perfect spot for a date. If you want to spend a significant amount of time on the porch, you are probably going to want more than one drink. Instead of having to run inside and back out, interrupting your relaxation, placing a teak beverage cooler on your porch is the perfect solution.
Not only are these coolers convenient, they also are very stylish. This is not your traditional Coleman ice box! A teak beverage cooler will definitely add to the aesthetic appeal of your porch, and give also gives your patio a classy look and feel.
There are many different options for the sophisticated socialite. Some coolers are small and designed to sit on top of your patio table. Others are freestanding and hold many different beverages. Small coolers which hold a single bottle of wine are also available. Basically, if you can imagine it, it exists. It all depends on your personal taste and your needs.
Make your porch swing the perfect haven for relaxation or a romantic spot for you and your significant other by adding a beverage cooler to the décor of your patio.

Pillows Add Comfort and Style to Your Swing

Wooden glider porch swings are beautiful and are a great addition to any porch. However, the wooden beams can become uncomfortable if you sitting on them for a long period of time. A perfect solution to this problem is by adding pillows or cushion to your swing.
You can choose pillows that accent your other porch decorations or reflect the style of your house. Carefully styled cushions on your front porch can be an early introduction to the color scheme and design of the interior of your house.
However, purchasing pillows can be expensive, and it can be difficult to find the exact pattern for which you are looking. One way to save money and get exactly what you are wanted is to make the pillows yourself.
Start by measuring your porch swing and deciding exactly what size you want your cushions to be. Then purchase the supplies you will need. You can even make these pillows from a table cloth or other such material. For detailed instructions on how to sew these pillows click here. Making cushions for your swing is incredibly easy, and does not require you to be a master seamstress. It is a fun activity with great results that will spruce up your porch.

Improve the View from Your Swing

So now you have your perfect porch swing set up and you’re ready to enjoy your porch. However, if you don’t have anything pretty to look at, even the best of swings is wasted. It is just important to cultivate a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere on your porch or deck as it is to have a nice swing.!
One way to improve the view is by using deck railing flower boxes. These planters are fastened on top of the railing of your porch or deck, and you can fill them with the flowers of your choosing. Decorate your railing with several of these boxes and create a garden right on your porch
Another way to make your porch a prettier place is to decorate with attractive patio furniture and accessories. For example, garden clocks and thermometers are good adornments for your patio. You can put gazing balls or sundials in your yard within view of your swing.
A fun enhancement to your swing view is a bird bath. Many bird baths are lavish and beautiful on their own, but once the birds start flocking to it, you can enjoy hours of bird-watching. Bird feeders will have a similar effect.
By making a few simple improvements to your yard and porch, the view from your swing can become much more entertaining.

Swing Dimensions are Very Important!

If you are looking to add a swing to your porch, it is very important to consider sizing before you make your purchase. You need to make sure that your new swing dimensions are proportional to the size of your porch. Swings come in all shapes and sizes, and it is crucial to consider what size will work best with your porch. If you have a smaller porch, you don’t want to overwhelm it or completely fill it with a giant swing set. Likewise, if you have a larger porch, a tiny swing would look silly and out of place. There are so many different options, so be sure to investigate them all.
For small porches, you may want to consider a glider instead of a hanging swing. Gliders take up less space, and can even be purchased in chair sizes if you have a really tiny porch. For a larger porch or patio, I would recommend going all out and having fun with the many available options. You can even get a hanging swing with an attached stand and a canopy! Swings with attached stands take up more space, but if you have the room, they are definitely easier to move around when you want to redecorate. Before you buy your new swing, be sure to consider the swing dimensions and investigate all your different options to find what works best for your porch.

How to Hang a Cedar Swing—Or Not!

Hanging a cedar swing can be a challenging task. Check the specifications before you buy a cedar swing; many will include a complete kit of hanging hardware. If not, check your local hardware store for a swing hanging kit.

Pre-drill holes into a beam where you will hang the cedar swing. The distance between these holes should match the length of the swing. Screw the hooks into these two holes. Attach the chains to the chair. Have someone else help lift the swing to you, so you can secure the other ends of the chains on the overhead hooks.

If you don’t have a covered porch, or if you feel nervous about hanging your cedar swing correctly, you have other options. You can purchase A-frames and frames with attached arbors from which to hang swings. Some even include canopies.

Or you can go with my favorite alternative to the cedar swing—a cedar glider. It offers the same attractive look as a cedar porch swing, but it sits directly on the ground. I also enjoy the silky smooth motion of the glider. Remember, the whole point of owning a cedar swing is for relaxation. If the thought of hanging the swing stresses you out, consider an alternative.

Outdoor Swing Decoration Ideas

I have found that an outdoor swing is a relaxing addition to my home. I prefer to keep my outdoor space simple and uncluttered. However, I have also seen some chic patios, whose designs centered on an outdoor swing. If this is the design you’re after, try one or more of these additions to take your outdoor swing and porch to the next level.

• Add outdoor curtains to one side of your covered patio or porch. These are made from materials suitable for outdoor use and may be either opaque or sheer.
• Adorn your outdoor swings with a couple throw pillows, instead of cushions.
• Choose other patio furniture that matches the shade of the your outdoor swing.
• Place a large outdoor rug in front of your swing.
• Pair the outdoor swing with a coordinating rocker or hammock. Place these in a position facing the swing, so a group of people can hold a conversation together.
• Use a wood storage chest for outdoor storage and as a coffee or side table.
• Sprinkle potted flowers or planters around your patio area.

Indoor and outdoor styles of decoration have long been two separate categories. But now, the two are often seen intermingled. As you search for additional ways to decorate the area around your outdoor swing, imagine what indoor elements you could bring to the outdoors. This might open up a long list of possibilities you had never considered before. But when you try them, these ideas work.

Things to Do on Your Cedar Porch Swing

You will read in the following post several ideas for things to do on your cedar porch swing. This post springs from my own inability to sit still. I’m sure it’s good for all of us to have times that we sit quietly and rest. But when I sit down, I want to be doing something with my mind or my hands. I’ve already tried many of these on my own porch swing; some I have yet to try.

• Take dinner out to your cedar porch swing and eat there. Just don’t swing too hard; you might end up with dinner on you instead of in you.
• Read a book, newspaper, or magazine. Combined with the swinging motion, this activity can be very relaxing.
• Talk. Take time to catch up with a member of your household. Especially if things have been tense lately, the cedar porch swing provides a relaxing setting in which to interact.
• Crochet, knit, sew, or work on any other portable handcraft.
• Play “Eye Spy.” This game is especially fun with several children.
• Snuggle up to your sweetie.
• Open mail and pay bills. These are not normally fun tasks for me. Take them to the cedar porch swing to lighten your mood and make your task more enjoyable.

Cleaning Cedar Porch Swings

Cleaning cedar porch swings doesn’t have to be a drag. In fact, I would rather spend a little time cleaning here and there than devote an afternoon every year or two to restaining or repainting. It’s a good idea when cleaning cedar porch swings to start with mild soap and water. If that doesn’t do the trick, however, a solution of bleach and water should work.

There are several things to avoid during cleaning. Cedar porch swings are made from softwood. This doesn’t mean that they are flimsy and easily breakable. It means that you should avoid harsh ways of cleaning that can damage its finish.

I know how tempting it is to use a pressure washer to get a job done quickly. But when it comes to cedar porch swings, a pressure washer is not the way to go. The high pressure can damage the wood.

You should also avoid hard, stiff brushes or wire scrubbers. Once again, these can damage the natural finish of cedar porch swings.

Another thing to avoid is letting the bleach solution dry. It’s all right to let the bleach soak for a few minutes on the tougher stains, but don’t allow it to dry before you rinse the swing clean. With summer upon us, it’s a great time to brighten up our cedar porch swings and give them a fresh face . . . or seat.

Health Benefits of Using a Porch Swing

Did you know that a porch swing brings a number of health benefits to your home? They help to relieve stress, boost circulation, and maybe even improve concentration. The back-and-forth motion of a porch swing may help lower stress, some medical professionals believe. Think about rocking chairs and how relaxed they can make you feel. Studies have indicated that the rocking motion reduces breathing and heart rates. A porch swing doesn’t have the same motion, exactly, but you get the picture. Relaxation and reduced stress go hand-in-hand, and are important health benefits that affect every other area of your life.

In some cases, swinging can improve poor circulation. It may even tone down the appearance of varicose veins. Something as simple as a porch swing? Yes, indeed.

Others believe that the motion may stimulate the cerebral cortex. One of the functions of this part of the brain is to help us focus. So that would mean that rocking could improve your concentration a bit.

And, of course, there’s the benefit of getting outside. Fresh air, interaction with other people, sunlight. Moderate sunlight is healthy for you. It helps your body produce vitamin D and can stimulate endorphins. With all these great health benefits, why wait any longer to find a porch swing?

Privacy Arbor Meets Outdoor Swing

There are several ways you can increase your feelings of privacy around your outdoor swing. Some of these ways include installing a privacy fence, planting tall hedges, buying a screen, setting up tall shutters, and growing vines on arbors. A privacy arbor will shield your outdoor swing from the neighbors’ eyes and give you a feeling of seclusion when you want to be alone—or alone with someone special.

A privacy arbor can be a simple project or a time-intensive one. It all depends on your vision. If you want a quick solution, your best bet is to buy a partially assembled arbor, or at least a kit with all the pieces ready to go. If you want to design your own intricate arbor, it will require more time, but you can build whatever you have in mind.

Once you have assembled or built a privacy arbor around your outdoor swing, you need to plant. Any climbing vine or flower should work well. Consider such plants as ivy, sweet pea, roses, honeysuckle, morning glories, and wisteria. Before you buy, evaluate the sunlight around your outdoor swing. If you need help determining which plants will grow well, ask advice from a staff member at your local greenhouse. They should be able to suggest some good plants for you.