Front Porch w/ Honeysuckle (yes the invasive kind)

I hope everyone enjoyed the three day weekend! We got to do some swimming (okay it was actually more like sitting in the baby pool) and a visit to the zoo. We also managed to get the porch swing hung in its new location. We have already used it too. We hung it on the low side so the kids could get in and out easily. I still need to paint it and get some new pillow. I am also still deciding on the other porch accessories.

Porch Swing hung in its new location (yes, it does still need to be painted)

New eye hooks and a chain extension for the porch swing

How to Hang a Porch Swing:

Originally we hung our porch swing on 2 existing hooks (which I’m sure where installed for that very purpose). We decided on a new location, the only problem being that the roof structure is going in 2 directions at this location.

1.Pick up some eye hooks. Note: I went to Home Depot and at first couldn’t find any that would support more than 150 lbs. They all say not to be used for play equipment or for support of people (or something similarly vague and annoying). I managed to find someone who worked there and was actually helpful. He showed me that by the chains (about 20′ further down the aisle) there were some heavy duty eyehooks. I found one that support 350 lbs. It still had the same vague warning but at least looked properly substantial.  I went with 2 of those and 2 connection links that could each support a 1000 lbs. I would strongly recommend eye hooks over regular hooks to minimize the problem with the swing falling off.

2.Decide on rough location.

3. Determine which 2 roof joists to attach swing. The one on the left in the photo was the best location in terms of being out far enough from the rail beyond and avoiding the light. The one on the right was about 48″ to the right (similar to the old location). Our porch swing is about 44″ wide.

4. Pick the first location (in this case the left side). We went ahead and installed this hook. This included pre-drilling with 2 size bits (but nothing too big) and then screwing by hand (it helps to put a big screw driver through the eyehook to give you some leverage). Mr. S’s strong hands installed these pretty quickly. I would probably still be struggling with this step.

5. We hung the chain down and measured out from the chain to the guardrail (yes some good old geometry). Then Mr. S stood on the ladder and moved the other chain around on the other roof joist until the distance the guard rail was the same as the first one.

6. Install second eyehook, the same way as the first.

7. Install the “comfort springs” for our bench on each eyehook. I highly recommend the springs! We ordered them with our swing and they give a nice bounce to the swing when you sit down. The kids also like to bounce on the swing.

8. Hang the higher side of the swing at full length.

9. Adjust the links of the lower side until the swing is level (we just put the level on the seat and moved it up and down until it was level).

10. This arrangement worked, but left the seat quite high.

11. I went back over to Home Depot and got an extra foot of chain. Then using the connection link we adjusted the longer side down until level.

12. Sit and enjoy!

The guys (aka Kent Kowalski and Crew) have finished installing the new steps, patching the floor and rails and priming and repainting the floor and rails. Yeah! I also managed to get the hanging baskets up.

Items Left to Finish:

-Install the bluestone pavers at the bottom of the stairs
-Paint the Porch Swing
-Paint the shelf for the plants
-Pick up the Applaro storage bench at Ikea (Thanks for the tip Jen!) and get new recycling bins to fit
-Measure an order a new glass cover for the light fixture (currently hiding under the bag)
-Pick out and order new cushions for the swing

Front Steps

New Steps!

Applaro Storage Bench from Ikea, $129

Porch in Progress, Porch Swing to go somewhere in this area

Mr. S and I were talking last night about what should and shouldn’t go back on the front porch. It has a habit of collecting things. We want it to look inviting but not cluttered. Also the original location of the porch swing will be in the way of the new traffic pattern on the porch.

Items that Should to go back on the Porch:

1. Porch Swing (although in a different location and in a different color)

2. Recycling bins for paper & cans/bottles (although these could be concealed in a storage bench)

3. Welcome Milk Jug

Items that may or may not come back to the Porch:

1. Adirondack chairs and table (I am thinking that these might stay in the backyard since they don’t get a lot of use on the porch)

2. Shelves for plants (these could also go somewhere else)

New Items:

1. Storage Bench for recycling bins

2. I am considering a small outdoor rug for in front of the porch swing

3. New pillows for the swing

Option 1: Wood Storage Bench, Overstock $302

Wood Storage Bench, Walmart $148

Plastic (simulated wood) Storage Bench, Sam's Club $99

Storage Bench Options:

I did a quick search for suitable storage benches last night. Here are the current options. Any suggestions? I also have to do some measuring of the current recycling bins and the space to see what might be the best fit.

1. Wood (w/ open design to allow for ventilation)
Pros: Looks nice and more in keeping with house
Cons: It could get gross with the recycling inside

2. Plastic (sealed)
Pros: Less expensive, can be hosed off
Cons: Appearance, it could start to smell inside

Option 1: Eucalyptus Wood Portoreal Chest from Overstock, $302 (49x24x21)

Option 2: Eucalyptus Wood Storage Bench from Walmart, $148 (47x17x17)

Option 3: Plastic (simulated wood) Storage  Bench from Sam’s Club, $99 (60x28x24)

The guys are busy working on the porch again. If all goes well they should be done tomorrow. As you can see they are working their way from the front to the back. In the meantime, Mr. S cleaned the porch ceiling and walls yesterday. Both had a lot of dirt (thanks to the siding project and the road being redone). There was also some mildew in the higher areas of the ceiling.  Mr. S developed an interesting technique for cleaning the ceiling. We used stuff we already had on hand so the project was basically free.

Technique for Cleaning the Porch Ceiling

1. Purchase a deck cleaner or something similar that will remove dirt as well as mildew. Also purchase some foam bath cleaner that works on mildew (we used some scrubbing bubbles that we already had on hand).

2. Clear off porch.

3. Get hose ready with a nozzle that has a jet setting (we could have rented a pressure washer but I was concerned that it would hurt the pine beadboard)

4. Use a large broom that can attach to an extendable paint handle & large tub that will fit the broom

5. Mix deck cleaner in large tub

6. Wet down ceiling.

6. Use big muscles (this also works better if you are tall like Mr. S) and scrub the cleaner onto the ceiling with large brush

7. Rinse

8. Scrub again, this time leave cleaner on ceiling for a little while

9. Rinse.

10. For the areas that still have mildew, spray foam bathroom cleaner on brush. Then brush on and let sit.

11. Rinse. Remaining Spot should dry lighter.

12. Dry. Now our front porch smells like a freshly clean bathroom ; )