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Help! Hanging porch swing, weight issue


Posted by mparkerray on March 18th, 2005 12:54 PM

I am preparing to hang a 4' porch swing on my front porch. I need help in determining if my plans to reinforce the porch ceiling joists will suffice to distribute the weight of the swing and 2 persons up to 600 lbs total including the swing. The covered porch is 24' x 6' with ceiling joists(2 x 6)x 12' running parrallel with the front of the house and joists attaching to a large laminated beam - center of porch. These 12' spans of 2 x 6 joists are 16" on center. In the middle of each 12' span on each half of the porch there is a 2 x 4 nailed across the top of the joists. The positioning of the swing chains will be about 34" from the left side(end) of the porch and chains 51" apart. I propose to install double 2 x6 pieces(upright -screwed together) in simpson double joist hangers between the 2 sets of joists where the chains will be mounted and also single 2 x 6 pieces in simpson single joist hangers between the 2 x 6 joists that remain between the ones that I used double hangers thus tieing all the joists together to distribute the weight of the loaded swing. I plan to use large eye bolts with washers and nuts going up through the double upright 2 x 6s in the double hangers for each chain. What is your opinion on this set-up holding up to 600 lbs. total.
Your opinions and any advise or other methods to accomplish my objective will be greatly appreciated. Thanks from a novice.

















































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