Tips for Hanging Hammocks

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Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Hanging hammocks is easy. Really. It’s finding exactly the right spot to hang ‘em that’s hard.

Man hanging his spreader-bar hammock. Note how taut the hammock is. This is the correct way. First, determine where you ideally want to hang your hammock. This could be your deck or patio, under sturdy trees, your family or entertainment room, near your pool, on the porch; even your bedroom. Hey, folks have used hammocks as beds for sleeping for centuries – why not the bedroom?

If you plan to use your hammock mostly outdoors, look for a weather resistant hammock. Quick dry hammocks and DuraCord hammocks are great for outdoors.

How High Should I Hang the Hammock?

When hanging hammocks, the type of hammock you have will dictate how high it must be hung and what type of hammock stand to use. Hammocks with spreader bars (wooden bars attached at each end of the hammock) are generally hung 4 – 5 feet from the ground; non-spreader bar (think Mayan, Brazilian, Nicaraguan-style) hammocks are hung at 6 – 7 feet from the ground. Hammocks without spreader bars naturally hang with a bow or “dip” in the middle; and we don’t want our backsides dragging the ground while relaxing, do we? A manufactured hammock stand for a spreader bar hammock is different than one for non-spreader bar types as the attachment points are positioned much higher for non-spreader bar hammocks. If you’re not using a stand for hanging hammocks, final hanging heights can vary depending on the distance between your chosen supports, the length of the hammock and your personal preferences.

For hanging hammocks, a space measuring 14 to 17 feet in length is usually good. The distance between your two anchor points should generally be about one foot longer than the length of the hammock. For instance, if you’re hanging a 15 foot hammock, you want 16 feet between the anchors. Of course if the hammock’s longer you may be able to adjust a bit with chain lengths. Your anchors could be two trees, or two concrete-set posts if outdoors. Indoors, it ~~could~~ must be sturdy wall studs or ceiling joists. Use a stud finder (handy gadget found in hardware/home improvement stores) to locate these in your walls and/or ceiling. You’ll screw a relatively large eye bolt into the center of each stud or joist where you want to tie the hammock’s ends. Or you could use a hammock stand indoors or out. You’ll need a fair abount of space indoors to hang the hammock and allow room for getting in and out. If indoor space is limited, you might think about hanging a hammock chair instead.

Tips for Hanging Hammocks Outdoors

If you use trees for hanging hammocks, be sure that they are indeed strong enough to bear the weight of both the hammock and the person(s) who will be lounging. It’s generally recommended that the tree be at least six to seven inches in diameter, and that it be a hardwood tree like oak or maple. If you want to hang the hammock outdoors and don’t have two trees of the requisite diameter spaced just right, use a weather-resistant hardwood post or posts, 4 x 4, buried at least three feet in the ground. So allow for the length of the post to be buried underground, plus your ideal hammock hanging height and some spare inches, to determine the total length of the post(s) you need. Posts should have no splits, cracks or rotted areas. Dig your hole, place in the post and pour cement around the post in the hole to fill. Let the cement cure for at least three days before hanging your hammock; more if it’s humid. Or, just buy a nice weather resistant hammock stand and place it under your favorite tree, no trouble. Yes, I’m lazy and while I have gone the post route for hanging hammocks outside, I personally prefer stands. YMMV.

Post-mounted hammocks can use the hook and chain hanging method. Use strong eyehooks in the posts and then use chain lengths and S-hooks to stretch the hammock between. For trees, consider using sturdy rope or hammock tree straps for hanging hammocks and avoid drilling holes in the trees. hammock tree straps are made of heavy-duty weather resistant material with a spring link at the end. Once wrapped securely around your tree the link is where you attach the hammock.

Your hammock may come packaged with a hanging mechanism. You can also buy hammock hanging kits with all the necessary chains, hooks, tree straps or rope as you desire. Make sure that the system you choose is rated to hold the weight of the folk you anticipate using the hammock. Also, do not over tighten the hanging system as this will create unnecessary stress that can weaken or damage your hangers. If your hammock is made of natural materials such as cotton, it is natural for it to stretch. Readjust and tighten the hangers as this occurs to take up unwanted slack.

Hope these tips for hanging hammocks help you to thoroughly enjoy your summer.

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