Cypress Swing Parts

I don't know about your area, but here in N.O. I can buy cypress at several lumber companies. Call around to find out who handles cypress in your area.

Cypress is easy to work and you can do all the cutting, profiling and drilling needed with just a few power tools or if you don't have them, ask a friend who has them to cut and profile the wood for you that you need.

The slats should be no more than about 2 inches wide, 3/4 inches thick and whatever length needed and secured to the framework by no more than 3-4 woodscrews.

Cypress Swings n Things; Pollock, LA

If you know where Bayou Pigeon is located. A good friend has rough cut Cypress. Call him, he can help you out.

BTR bridge to Pigeon, about 45 mins.

Zach Miller, Cell (985) 217-0539

If you are looking for precut slats, Tilton makes all kinds of Cypress products, swings, rockers, etc. He can cut anything you need. He's in the Pierre Part area, by "Swamp People," Troy Landry's place where they bring in the Gators during the season.

Tilton's number: (985) 714-5535

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This is what I'm working on.

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That's an easy fix. You can cut the slats with a circular saw and to round over the edges to soften them, just use a small block plane to remove most of the wood then sand the rest off.

If you don't have a block plane, you can do it with sandpaper, but it will take a bit longer.

I've built a few dozen 4 ft. porch swings over the years and my pattern is similar to this, just with closer spacing of the slats and sturdier arm rests, but I have a woodworking shop, so it's just a matter of getting the wood, cutting, profiling and assembly for me.

I no longer use cypress since I've found it doesn't hold up like it once did years ago. I only use ground contact, pressure treated lumber that I buy, let sit in my shop for several weeks to dry out and then make the swings.

There's a guy in Walker with a mill that sells cypress on FB Marketplace. I've bought a few pieces from him for various projects and he's a nice guy and reasonable with price.

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You can cut the slats with a circular saw

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yeah, the issue seems to be finding the slats. Purpera doesn't have it. Picou says they would have to order them. Big box stores are a waste of time.

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Just buy enough 1 x 6 cypress boards and cut your own.

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i can do that. Just need to find the 1x6 boards.

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That swing looks like it could be a 4 ft. swing

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the bottom/shorter slats are a little over 56". The longer/top slats are a little over 58".

Service lumber in BR

Made it to it's final destination.

Left one of the old slats to show what it used to look like.

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so just pressure treated 1x whatever boards?

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Yes, pressure treated 1 x 4 x 8 is what I use for the slats. I can get 4 slats out of each 1 x 4. For the framework I use 2 x 4 x 8 and for the arms I use 2 x 6 x 8---all pressure treated.

I will buy it, bring it home and stick stack it in my shop for it to dry out a good bit before cutting and profiling it. Once that is done I will assemble the pieces using rust resistant hardware for the eye bolts used to hang the swing and I'll use 1/4 inch stainless steel nut, bolts and washers to assemble the framework for the slats to be screwed down to---and Gorilla Glue to glue the half-lap joints that make the seat and back components.

When I put down the slats I use exterior rated screws countersunk into the slats and when done I'll fill the holes with wood putty to conceal the screws, sand the whole swing down to make it smooth before the customer gets it.

They can stain, paint or leave it like it is to age naturally if they choose.


I've sold a bunch of them and have also given some away as a housewarming gift for first time homeowners in the family.