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Fabric hammocks and hanging chairs are the perfect addition to enjoy your garden or patio year-round. However, installing them can sometimes raise questions. That's why we've prepared a guide to help you easily set up a fabric hammock in your garden and start enjoying your relaxation corner.
When installing your fabric hammock, there are three fundamental pillars you should consider to ensure maximum comfort: height, distance , and curvature.
At what height should the hammock be placed?
To calculate how high to hang your hammock, you will need to take into account the length of the hammock, the type of hook , and the minimum height required to climb in.
The optimal distance between the ground and the hammock should be between 30 and 50 cm. This is enough for a person to get in and out without effort and to prevent the fabric from rubbing against the ground when their weight is applied.
The height on the wall at which the fabric hammock should be hung is approximately half the distance between the two walls or anchor points. This rule also applies if hanging it between two trees. Following this rule is key to achieving the perfect curve that adapts to your body position.
Minimum installation distance
The minimum installation distance for your hanging hammock will vary depending on the model, size , and fastening systems you use.
As a general guideline, a minimum distance of 3 to 4 meters is recommended to achieve a comfortable curve. A distance that is too short will result in a hammock with too much curvature, making it impossible to lie down comfortably. Conversely, a distance that is too wide will leave the fabric hammock too taut and uncomfortable.
For hammocks without a spreader bar, the minimum distance between anchor points should be the total length of the hammock minus 10%. For example, a 300 cm long fabric hammock without a spreader bar would need a distance of 270 cm.
If the hammock has a horizontal bar, the distance between the attachment points should be the same as the length of the hammock, as these should be slightly tighter.
The perfect curve
For optimal comfort in your fabric hammock, proper curvature is essential, allowing you to lie on your back or side. A good way to check this is to ensure the angle between the support rope and the ground is 30 degrees.
Where to place your hanging hammock?
There are several options for installing your fabric hammock or hanging chair. The most common include walls or posts, trees, the ceiling , or a stand . The recommendations regarding distance, curvature, and height that we calculated earlier apply regardless of the mounting surface.
Between two trees
If you choose to hang your fabric hammock between two trees, you must first find two trees that are within the minimum distance we calculated earlier and that are sturdy enough to support the weight. We recommend avoiding pine trees, as they attract processionary caterpillars and leave a lot of debris among the needles and sap.
To attach it, you can use a rope that you'll need to pass around each tree, creating a secure knot. At the free end, you can make another knot to attach the hammock, or use metal supports, like the ones that come with our hammocks (included with purchase), to join both pieces.
Another option is to use a sling with a carabiner at each end. Among the strongest knots for supporting weight are the clove hitch and the figure-eight knot.
Between walls
The second most common option for installing a fabric hammock in the garden is to anchor it between two walls. The first thing to do is ensure that the walls are made of brick, concrete, or stone. This guarantees they are strong enough to support the weight without damage. For example, a drywall or plasterboard wall is not recommended for installing hammocks or hanging chairs.
The kit needed to install the fabric hammock on the wall includes: anchors, wall plugs, screws, and a carabiner. You will also need a ladder and a drill to make the holes for the mounting points. A helpful trick for measuring the height from the ground is to place a dining chair (usually between 43 and 50 cm high) as a reference point.
Since fabric hammocks tend to sag slightly over time, we advise you to place the anchors about 2 cm above the calculated ideal height.
On the roof
If you prefer hanging chairs or hammock chairs, ceiling installation is the perfect alternative. In this case, you'll only need an anchor point on a wooden or metal beam, directly on a brick or concrete ceiling. Our hanging garden chairs come with a mounting kit included to make ceiling installation easy.
Conclusion
As you may have noticed, hanging a fabric hammock isn't as complicated as it seems. However, keep in mind that there's no perfect calculation. The figures given for height and installation distance are guidelines. The key is to adapt the installation to achieve your personal comfort.