Installing a Porch Swing and Ceiling Fan

A front porch revitalization gets topped off with some classic amenities — a porch swing and ceiling fan. Try more high-speed projects from HGTV's Don't Sweat It.

Don't Sweat It : Episode HDSWT-309 -- More Projects »
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Before: The wraparound porch offered plenty of space for outdoor furnishings.
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After: The corner spot on the porch provided the ideal location for an old-fashioned porch swing.
The homeowners in this Don't Sweat It project loved their front porch, although it was in need of some repair work and general sprucing up. But with the repairs done, they wanted a better way to sit and enjoy their porch space. For that, they opted to add seating — and a little old-fashioned charm — in the form of a porch-swing. They also replaced outdated and broken light fixtures with outdoor-grade ceiling fans.

Below is a list of materials and tools, as well as a summary of the steps as featured in this Don't Sweat It project.

Materials:

porch swing kit (1)
ceiling fan kit (2)
ceiling fan brackets (2)
swing hardware
yellow wire nuts (1 box)
saddle boxes for ceiling fan (2)

Tools:

cordless drill with battery and magnetic screw tip
level
measuring tape
safety glasses
wrenches

Steps:

Locate ceiling support. It's essential that the porch swing be attached to ceiling joists so that it won't work loose and fall. In this case, we found the ceiling joists by removing a piece of the aluminum soffit and peeking into the ceiling.

Drill and anchor. Pre-drill a hole for the hook of the swing. Make sure the spacing matches the spacing of the swing chains. Make sure the swing is a safe distance from walkways, handrails and ceiling fans.

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Before: The old light fixtures were broken, and their dated style did little to enhance the look of the front porch.
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After: Ceiling fans with built-in light fixtures offer ample lighting, comfort and atmosphere.
Assemble and hang the swing. There may be differences in assembly procedures depending on the style and brand you select. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions, as well as any safety precautions, for assembly and hanging. Hang the swing from eye bolts mounted to the ceiling joists.

Remove the lights. Take down the lights and remove the old boxes. The old boxes are not suitable for ceiling fans. There are two basic types of ceiling fan boxes. One is the saddle box, for fans that are centered on a ceiling joist. The other option is a fan bracket that spans between two ceiling joists and has a metal box bolted to it.

Install the fan boxes. If it's a saddle box, screw the box to the ceiling joist thru the holes in the bottom. If it's a bracket, insert the bracket into the hole in the ceiling, and tighten the bracket against the ceiling joists using a wrench. Then, bolt the box into place.

Assemble and hang the fans, making certain to follow the manufacturer's instructions and any safety precautions.

Also in this Episode
Don't Sweat It : Episode HDSWT-309
•Porch Revival: Columns Restoration
•Porch Revival: Handrail Repair
•Installing a Porch Swing and Ceiling Fan