• Home
• Contact
• Privacy

Wooden Hammock Stands Recalled by Pottery Barn

October 2nd, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Pottery Barn Inc. and the US Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced yesterday a recall of 30,000 Chinese-manufactured wooden hammock stands. It seem that when the stands are used outdoors, the wood can deteriorate over time and break, resulting in falls, lacerations, and in one instance fractured ribs.  There have been 50 reports of the stands breaking, with 12 incidents of injury. OW! Not good!

The wooden hammock stands measure about 154 ½ inches long by 53 ½ inches in height by 53 inches in width. There are two black metal brackets on the base and on the arms of the hammock stand. The stands were sold from the Pottery Barn’s catalog and Web site from March 2003 through July 2008 for about $300. All Pottery Barn two pole wooden hammock stands sold from 2003 through 2008 are included in this recall.

Now if you or someone you know bought one of these wood hammock stands, Pottery Barn wants you to remove and save the two top side metal brackets of the hammock stand (circled in red on the photo at left) and throw out the remaining portion of the hammock stand. Do save your hammock - I assume it’s something you may still want. ;-) Then, contact Pottery Barn to schedule a free pickup of the brackets and to receive a merchandise credit for the amount of the stand. If you have any questions or need additional info about the recall contact Pottery Barn toll-free at (888) 942-9245 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.potterybarn.com/content/shop/recall/index.cfm (link will take you to the company’s hammock stand recall page).

If you need a new hammock stand check out our articles on how to choose hammock stands, buying discounted hammock stands, and our feature of the beautiful Roman Arc hammock stand.  If you’re a DIY’er, check out this wooden hammock stand kit.

Hammock Stand: Choose Well for Safety, Comfort and Durability

May 29th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

You’ll need a hammock stand if you don’t plan to hang your hammock among trees; or if you don’t have any trees or posts to safely hang the hammock from. A hammock is only as comfortable, sturdy and as safe as the hammock stand or frame that supports it. 

When choosing a hammock stand, the material that the stand is constructed from is important. You should consider whether you’ll be using the hammock mostly indoors or out, in a sheltered area or perhaps in open air next to your pool. Not only should the material used in the manufacturing of the hammock stand be strong enough, but you’ll probably want to complement your backyard or interior décor.

You should also take into account the type of hammock you have.  Many hammock stands you see are built for hammocks that have spreader bars – the wooden bars one sees at each end of certain hammocks.  If you have a hammock that does not have spreader bars, such as a Mayan hammock, you must buy a stand specifically made for such a hammock.  What’s the difference?  The hammocks without bars must be hung at a higher height that those with bars, otherwise you’ll be sitting on the ground.  Also account for the length of the hammock you have, and buy a stand that can accommodate that length.

There are two basic materials used for hammock stands – metal (usually steel or aluminum) and wood.

Steel and Stainless Steel Hammock Stands

Steel is a common hammock stand material.  It is very strong and durable.  The lower the gauge of steel, the tougher it is. For example, a stand made from 12 gauge steel is heavier and much more sturdy than a 16 gauge steel stand. The very best stands use 12 gauge or lower steel. Higher-gauge steel stands are less expensive; but are often lower quality. You can buy steel stands in many colors to match your design scheme.  If the finish becomes chipped and you mostly use the hammock outside, be ready with touch-up metal paint to minimize and hopefully prevent rust.  Many of these stands are made for the spreader bar hammocks; but you can find quality steel stands for non-spreader bar hammocks like the one at right.

A stand made from stainless steel is a good choice for many reasons.  For example if your hammock is placed on the open patio or deck, on the lawn or near salt water or a pool, it will be exposed to water and the elements of nature.  A stainless steel hammock stand is best suited to resist rust and moisture damage, allowing it to remain strong and able to support your body weight.  Stainless steel stands are a little more expensive than the common steel ones.

Aluminum Hammock Stand

Some hammock stands are made from aluminum.  These stands are not as strong as the other materials.  They are generally used for portable hammocks.  Aluminum is used in this instance for its lightweight qualities, making it easy to carry your hammock to a picnic or party for use.

Wooden Hammock Stands

Wood stands have a beautiful classic look about them.  Wooden stands are the strongest, most stable and most durable of hammock stands.  A wooden roman arc hammock stand is a striking piece of furniture for your house.  If you want to use a wooden hammock stand outdoors you can, but look for stands made of wood that can resist moisture. Cypress, teak and cedar are woods known for their weather resistance. The finish will change on exposure to the elements.  You may want to generously apply wood preservative to the base of the stand to protect it, especially if it will sit on damp ground.  To preserve unfinished wood’s original appearance apply a moisture repellent treatment yearly.  You can stain them or paint them; or simply leave outdoor wood hammock stands untreated and they’ll slowly weather to a silver gray finish. 

You will find the largest assortment of hammock stands on the internet. This makes it easy to compare prices and choose what you like. Hammocks.com and EveryHammock.com have a great array of options. Use our tips to find the best hammock stand for your needs.

Roman Arc Hammock Stand: Graceful and Durable Stability

March 22nd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Consider investing in a stand such as the Roman arc hammock stand. Hammocks require two supports at either end capable of holding the weight of the person or persons using the hammock.  If you are installing your hammock indoors, or on a deck or patio, finding such strong supports already in place may prove difficult.  You need a good hammock stand. 

Why Buy A Roman Arc Hammock Stand?

The Roman arc stand, and the Roman arc ii hammock stand, have a strong curved base under the hammock that provides it with stability and a center beam that ‘arcs’ upward to provide the two end posts to which you can secure the hammock.  Roman arc hammock stands are constructed in such a way that you will find them difficult to topple, or break under pressure. A hammock’s natural swinging motion doesn’t seem to inflict much wear and tear on this stand.  And the arc’s handsome, sculpture-like good looks fit into nearly every decor.  The wooden arc hammock is a classic furniture piece.

Roman arc hammock stands are made from different materials  The wood hammock stands are classic and beautiful; but there are equally lovely arcs in metal. Measure your area well to ensure your stand will fit in the space you have in mind. Securely enjoy the renowned comfort of a hammock while knowing that you have the stability and strength of the Roman arc hammock stand on your side.

Copyright © 2007 - 2010 All About Hammocks
Contact us