Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the differences in hammock choices?

Believe it or not, there are hundreds of different styles and choices when shopping for a hammock. Until recently, the general view of a hammock consisted of a traditional rope hammock or the old time sling style. Today, while the basic look is similar, the actual number of different choices is growing each day. Listed below are the basics when it comes to different options when choosing a hammock.

Spreader Bar: With or Without
Fringe: With or Without / Fringed or Scalloped
Materials: Cotton, Polyester, Sunbrella, Olefin, Acrylic, Nylon, Textaline
Fabric: Open weave, solid fabric, rope, quilted
Colors: Unlimited color choices / Solid Colors / Stripes / Multi-Colored
Durability: All Weather / Not all Weather
Size Length: For 2 ft. (dolls & gear bags) to 16 ft family sizes
Size Width: Single, Double, Extra Large

Rather than list manufacturers, we choose to categorize the hammocks to help you find the type of hammock that best suits your needs.

2. How do I determine which material I should choose?

Cotton:

most comfortable
softest material
beautiful work of art from south/central America
will not fit most stands

Polyester Cord:

durable
good for outdoor use
resists moisture and mildew
soft comfy open weave
won’t stretch like cotton

Polyester Rope:

traditional rope, but better
resists moisture and mildew
won’t stretch like cotton
fits 15’ stands

Textilene: (like screening material)

excellent for hot tub or poolside use
dries quickly
fade resistant
mildew resistant
fits 15’ stands
all weather.

Olefin: (Rope)

all weather
fade resistant
mildew resistant
fits 15’ stands

Where can I hang a hammock?

With so many hammock options available, there are almost unlimited places you can place them. The key to placement is to be sure the structure can support the weight capacity or an equivalent of a 4x4 to hold the body weight. Between two trees is the most common intent, but other applications are an open beamed ceiling, a closed beam ceiling into a wall stud, a hammock stand, or a davit on a boat There are also hanging kits which allow you to hang from a ceiling, from one wall to another, on a porch, or under an arbor.

What is the best suggestion for hanging a hammock?

If you can arrange to have hammock hooks 18 to 20 feet apart and 8 to 10 feet high, you can hang almost any hammock….any size in that space. You only need enough chain or rope at each end to make up the difference between the end of the hammock and the hooks the hammock attaches to. It gives you the best slow motion hammock swing possible.

How far apart do the trees need to be for me to hang a hammock?

The optimal distance between two trees when hanging a hammock is 15-20 feet. The minimum distance required to hang a hammock is equal to the overall length of the hammock from ring to ring.

How do I hang a hammock between two trees and what if I only have one tree?

The easiest and portable method to attach to two trees is Hammock Tree Straps. The strap loops around the tree and has a ring on the end to attach an “S” hook to each hammock end. These straps are tree friendly, made of polypropylene, and do no harm to the tree. The straps can be installed within minutes – perfect for camping or for moving your hammock from place to place. Naturally they can be installed in your favorite spot and only brought in during harsh seasons.

A second option to hang a hammock from a tree is to go to your local hardware store and purchase chain in a plastic sleeve approximately 4-6 inches larger than the diameter of your tree trunk. The diameter of your tree should be no less than 16” for a safe installation. Link the chain ends together with a carabineer. Connect an S hook to the chain around the tree; from the S hook add any additional chain links, to a 2^nd S hook to the hammock ring end.

If there is only one tree a post can be considered approximately 18 feet from the tree with a 10ft pressure treated 4x4. It would be cemented 4 feet into the ground with 6 feet of exposure and an eye-bolt near the top of the 4x4. Without trees use can use two posts. You can also attach one end of the hammock to a part of the house when you can attach to a stud or support beams.

How high off the ground should I hang my hammock?

Different hammock lengths (ring to ring) will require different instructions. We can only make recommendations and you will have to tweak the installation to suit you.

For example: Some suggestions …

If your hammock is 13 feet long you will want a space approximately 15 feet apart with a foot of chain or rope at each end to adjust the hammock up or down from the ground. The hammock hooks that you hang the hammock from should be at least 4 to 5 feet off the ground.

If your hammock is 15 feet long you will want a space approximately 17 feet apart with a foot of chain or rope at each end to adjust the hammock up or down from the ground. The hammock hooks that you hang the hammock from should be at least 6 feet off the ground.

How do I hang a hammock chair from a beam or ceiling?

From a beam, install a J-Hook or Eye bolt horizontally only and attach the proper length of chain to bring the hammock chair to about 18” off the ground. Your feet should be flat on the ground or floor to easily get in and out of it.. If you install a j-hook or eye bolt straight up into the ceiling, every time you get in your chair that bolt will move slightly. Sooner or later it’s coming down. You must always install large single bolts horizontally.

If you’d like the chair to swivel, from the J-Hook attach a Swivel Hook. From the swivel attach the proper length of chain to an S-Hook to the hammock.

A Spring are also available to attach to your hammock chair hardware. It gives you a softer seat and acts as a shock absorber to what ever is in the ceiling.

Find the stud in the wall or closed ceiling. Install the stainless steel bracket into the stud using four three inch stainless steel screws. From the bracket install either the proper length chain or the Swivel Hook to the length of chain. From the chain attach an S-hook to the hammock.