Santiago's mum asks: Here's a question that I am totally stumped with.
We'd like to get a swing like the colourful felt swings by designer Johannes Mohr. The thing is, we have no exposed beams or rafters, and no spaces under steps. Where is the best place to hang one, and how?
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: nursery(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
We asked our favourite contractor about this, and he told us that the easiest solution would be to call a general contractor to do the installation! But he also said that most ceilings have load bearing beams in them, even if they are not exposed, and that if you want to DIY the easiest solution would be to locate one of those beams, and then screw in the mounting hardware through the plaster ceiling into the beam of your choice.
We wonder if a door-mounted bar might be an easier solution for hanging this swinghãQ©ÐFÉ+²L ³O4ñ œ$orts up to 100lbs of weight, but we have never seen one in action.
AT readers, what do you think is the best solution to this question?
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I would be concerned that a door-mounted bar, while able to hold a given amount of weight, would not be able to withstand the force of motion involved in swinging that weight like a pendulum. I was never good in physics class, but swinging is certainly a different proposition than the weight just hanging on the bar!
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Why not use a chin up bar, which is no doubt designed to support the swinging weight of a full grown man?
http://www.amazon.com/GoFit-GF-CUB-Chin-Up-Bar/dp/B0007W2FLI
This example supports up to 250 pounds.
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Chin up bars also doesn't cost $130.
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I have this exact swing (love it) and we bought a porch swing hanging kit at the hardware store for about $5. We have it in the play room and it has always felt completely safe. We've used ours for about a year with no problems.
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