How to Build a Covered Outdoor Swing

Build the Arbor

• 1

  Cut the support posts for the arbor. You need four support posts that are 87 inches long. Next, notch a 3½ inch by 1½ inch section in the corner of each support post. You connect two support posts with one 15 inch connector cut from a 2-by-4.

• 2

  Lay two support posts vertical with the notch facing out. Place one connector across the support post so the top of the connector touches the bottom of the notch. The edge of the connector should be flush with the outside edges of the support posts. Drill holes through the support posts and connector and secure with ¼ inch carriage bolts. Repeat the process with the other two support posts and connector.

• 3

  Add feet to the support posts. Cut 2-by-4s to get 2 pieces that are 48 inches, 2 pieces that are 16½ inches and 2 pieces that are 8 inches. On the 48 inch pieces, measure 16½ inch from each edge and mark with a pencil. Lay one 48-inch piece at the bottom of the support posts, on the opposite side of the connector, place it flush to the marks and attach with carriage bolts.

• 4

  Support the feet. Place the 16½ inch piece along the foot so that it is on the side with the connector and lines up with the foot piece; secure with screws. Slide the 8-inch piece between the two support posts so that the bottom of it is aligned with top of the other 2-foot pieces; secure with screws. Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 for the other side.

• 5

  Use the 1-by-6 boards so you have 8 braces. Each brace needs a 45 degree angle at each end and should measure 27 inches from the longest point to the longest points. Use 2 braces per arbor side to connect the bottom of the foot pieces to the support posts on the side with the top connector.

• 6

  Connect the 2 sections. Cut 3 pieces of 2-by-4 so they are 87 inches long. The 2 outer edge connectors fit into the notches and should be secured with screws. Attach braces to the connectors and the support posts on each side.

• 7

  Turn the frame upright. Use a stepladder to install the third support for the top of the arbor. Place the board evenly between the 2 other boards. You need to cut the 4-by-8 foot lattice into 3 pieces that are 15¾ inches wide. Attach the lattice to the arbor frame with 4d galvanized nails.

Build the Swing

• 8

  Make the bottom frame for your swing. Cut two 17 inch pieces and two 22 7/8 inch pieces from 2 by 4 for each end of the swing. Connect in a rectangle with 2 ½ inch screws. You make crosspieces by cutting four 2 by 4's 52 3/8 inches long. With 2 ½ inch screws, attach one crosspiece to the bottom of the rectangle frames on the front edge, one in middle at the bottom of the rectangle and one at the top of the rectangle in the back.

• 9

  Cut slats from the 1 by 4's for your swing. You need 12 slats that are 15 ½ inches long, 12 slats that are 24 inches long and 12 slats that are 27 inches long. Attach six of the 24 inch slats to the outside edge of each rectangle. Use the 27 inch slats for the back of your swing and the 15 ½ inch slats for the seat of the frame. The fourth crosspiece gets attached to the middle of the swing's back on the outside of the swing.

• 10

  Drill holes for the chain. The holes go through the sides of the swing and should be placed 6 ½ inch from the front edge and 8 ½ inches from the rear. You need to dill holes at the top and bottom of the frame that align vertically. Run one length of chain through the holes on one side, under the swing and through the holes at the other side for both the front and back holes.

• 11

  Attach your swing to the arbor. You need to secure your arbor frame to the ground in order to prevent it from tipping over. Drill two 5/8 inch holes angled toward the ground into each foot piece; and drive rebar into the ground. Put two holes in the center 2 by 4 and screw in hooks. Connect the swing to the hooks.