A hammock (derived from the Spanish word hamaca) is a bed made of fabric, netting, rope, or canvas suspended from two supports by cords at both ends. It is used for sleeping, resting, and swinging. It is usually about six feet long and three feet wide.
A porch is a covered structure in front of the entrance to a building; alternatively, a porch can be a projecting building that houses the entrance door. It should be noted that a porch usually has a separate roof from that of the building.
Have you ever tried to hang a hammock from a porch ceiling? Anyone who has tried will tell you that it is not an easy process. However, if you have the right steps in mind, you should hang it with ease.
In this guide, I look at the steps you can take to hang a hammock from a porch ceiling. This should help you to complete the process without worries.
Material and Tools
A hammock, if not well installed it can be dangerous and might lead to backbone complications; hence you need the following tools from the nearest hardware store:
- Two hammock hooks, this is because there are no trees on the porch
- Ropes or chains
- Two “S” hooks, if you are using chains
- A measuring tape. It is used to determine the distance and height of your hammock.
- A ladder, you need it to reach the ceiling joist or beam.
- Chalk or pencil to mark the drill points
- A drill
- Stud finder. It will help you not to hang the hammock from a weak spot on the wall that may lead to injury and/or structural damage.
Steps to Follow to Hang your From the Ceiling Porch
Step 1
Determine where your hammock will be located. Mostly, the hanging points need to be about 15 feet from one another; hence this will make it lie relatively flat, but if you want it to be a basket-like shape, the ends can be somehow closer to each other.
This assumption is always made to determine where the hammock is to be located; the distance between the anchor post must be a couple of feet greater than the length of the hammock; for example, if your hammock is 14 feet long, the beams must be 16 feet apart hence keeping the hammock off the ground and giving the bed just enough curve.
Step 2
Locate the ceiling joist for anchoring the hammock ends; this is done by using a stud finder. Mark the exact center of the joist.
Step 3
Once you locate the framing positions, use a drill with a small bit to bore small holes of about 3/8-inch at the two marked points. These holes are called pilot holes.
Caution: do not do this on drywall; it might lead to structural damage.
Step 4
Screw-in the screw-eye as far as it will go; that is, the screw-eye should be long enough so that at least 2 inches of the shank is embedded in solid wood.
Step 5
Using heavy-duty “S” hooks, attach the chain to the hammock and hook the “S’ hooks onto the screw eyes to hang the hammock.
Test the height of the hammock and length or shorten the chain to adjust the height. And you are done.
Types of Hammocks
- Rope hammock
It is a rope net lashed between two trees. It is usually made of cotton or polyester ropes. It also has a spreader bar at either end that helps it maintain its flat shape and prevents the user from flipping too much or bouncing up. However, you can find a rope hammock without a spreader bar. For durability, look for designs made with polyester cords.
- Quilted hammocks
It is suitable for indoor use because it is a cloth hammock. It is composed of two fabric layers stuffed with some soft filling, making it the most comfortable hammock. However, it has one shortcoming, it is not flexible compared to other types of hammocks.
- Camping hammocks
As the name suggests, it is suitable for outdoors because it is easy to pack, carry, and set up in the great outdoors. They normally come with attached pockets or sacks that you can stuff for quick packing. They are made of nylon in most cases to make them lightweight and resistant to mildew growth.
- Mayan hammocks
This is among the oldest types of hammocks in history. It originates from South America, where there were used as beds for centuries. It is woven out of lightweight, almost gauzy cotton, but they are quite sturdy. They are known for not having a spreader bar, making it have a cocoon-like shape. You can hang the ends close together so that the hammock acts as a chair.
Health Benefits of a Hammock
- Improve blood circulation
A hammock will elevate your upper body and allow better circulation to the head. This will, in turn, reduce toxins in the body, improve blood pressure and get rid of congestion.
- Help with muscle aches
The hammock has zero pressure points, forcing your body to relax, improving backaches and joint aches.
- Improve your sleep
Due to zero pressure points and the natural rocking motion, hammocks help you fall asleep quicker, hence improving sleep quality.
- Reduces stress
Hammocks have been proven to help reduce unnatural stress levels from the body leading to a happier life. So after a hard day of work, lying in your hammock is the best way to unwind.
Conclusion
Proper hanging of a hammock could be the most important thing of all. You have to ensure it is not too tight as it may be impossible to use it. Also, do not make it too loose as it may not offer the support you want. Checking the guide above should give you an idea of what you are supposed to do.