Hammock Stands

Lollygagging in a hammock is one of the best parts of a long summer vacation. Your weight supported in a comfortable swing, a book in your lap to be read, the birds in the trees overhead, a glass of lemonade within arm’s reach. It’s the simple pleasures of being relaxed that appeal to us all.

Of course, not everyone’s yard is set up properly for a hammock installation. The trees might not be the right distance apart, or there are branches at the wrong height, or maybe you want to make your summer comfort lounge a bit more portable, to bring it indoors when summer’s over.

Have no fear, the hammock stand is the ready solution to your needs. First of all, there are two broad kinds of hammocks – those with spread-bars (which spread the cloth of the hammock out, and keep it tensioned) and those without. The hammocks without spreader bars need a higher hammock stand than the ones with the spreader bars. On the other hand, the spreader bars make the entire assembly process a bit more involved.

When choosing your hammock stand, after checking to see if it supports the kind of hammock you have, check the listed weight for it – this is the maximum weight it can support. Most steel construction hammock stands are quite sturdy. Wooden ones, while more attractive, may have a bit more fuss involved with their maximum weights, so consider this carefully.

Steel versus wood comes down to aesthetics, and whether or not your hammock is a permanent installation, or a seasonal item that gets put in the attic when winter comes around. A metal frame construction hammock is easier to take down and put away than a wooden one, and considerably lighter. It’s also a fair bit less expensive.

Wooden stands look better, but tend to become a permanent addition to your yard. They’re good if you own your home, less good if you’re renting. They also need a regular application of weather sealing stain to keep their appearance up, while a steel frame can just get a touch up with paint to cover blemishes. Wooden stands come in a wider variety of conformations, ranging from the twin tripod design to the Roman Arc on the high end. If your hammock doesn’t have spreader bars, you’re likelier to find the one at the height you want in a wooden model than a steel one. Wooden stands are generally more expensive.

Why not have a look at some other garden accessories to brighten up your garden. Things such as barbecues, firepits and patio furniture can all be found at Habitat Garden Furniture.