We dedicated this page to practical information and exclusive tips about some of the best practices, mainly regarding how to fix, use and take care of a (your) hammock or hanging-chair.
- Fixing
- Using
- Taking care
The ideal position(s) in a Hammock
Is it true that it’s better to lie across in a hammock? We couldn’t tell you that this affirmation from some specialists is totally wrong. This is partially correct because of the weight distribution. While taking a position across the hammock, the person lying down in it is generally extending the textile or meshes in an ideal way. This is however not a rule, and there are few relevant exceptions. For example, in a hammock with bars, like our Dreamcatcher Hammock, it is rather recommended to lay along. This recommendation regarding this particular type of hammock with bars is relevant because the way of maintaining the stability differs. From our side, we prefer to say that there are no wrong or correct ways to lay down in a hammock. We are sharing this message because for us, the freedom of choosing a position is one of the main advantages of hammocks and hanging-chairs. One of the rare furniture that are not limiting you to lay in a single so-called “appropriate position”. Enjoy that your hammock is stretchable to find your position. You can extend yourself and, if you prefer, you can also wrap yourself in it like in a cocoon. Just relax! Quality hammocks like the one from Guatemala are shaped to support your back ideally.
Hanging a hammock
A hammock is an easy-to-use and easy-to-store furniture for both indoor and outdoor use. To realize how easy it can be to extend and fold back a hammock, we can simply take a look at the example of our hanging-kit inspired by the local people from Central America. In westerns countries, people are regularly hesitating or get worried; “Where to hang it?”, “… only use a few days in the year.”, “how much place to hang it?”, “Should I ask for some professional advises before to hang it to that cement roof or ceiling beam?“. For some evident security reasons, those questions are legitimate. Luckily, they are often overrated, and it is actually not that complicated to fix a hammock correctly and safely. One reason we do think different in western countries is simply because laying in hammocks is not yet a cultural tradition.
Fixing a hammock in a house, a villa or a chalet?
Load-bearing walls and wooden ceiling beams are evident places to attach a hammock. Metallic, cement or wooden made structures, often present around terraces and pergolas, are also ideal examples of places where to hang a hammock to. While looking carefully, there are often a few places around us where a hammock could fit. A hanging-chair can be better appropriate for a tinny space, but the most important is to consider a hammock as furniture you can store whenever you want to. When correctly mounted with a proper hanging solution including hooks, wall mount fixations, ropes and fasteners, mounting or folding it should not take longer than a minute.Fixing a hammock in a loft or a flat?
While looking for a place for your hammock, don’t forget to take a look at the balcony. Balcony structures and ceilings are often ideal places for hanging a hammock. They are also perfect locations to enjoy the sun and relax. If this option is not considered in your flat, don’t give up! Hanging a hammock in a flat without causing permanent damage should be possible. If the reason yours are worried are the holes you have to make in the walls, keep in mind that it’s possible to cover holes with some sealant. We are offering our own solutions to fix hammocks, like the kits and hanging elements we propose in our shop. The hanging technique we are recommending, only with ropes and two pieces of wood, is inspired by habitants from Guatemala.
How to fix Hammocks?
Preparing some precise marks and checking the ideal distance before drilling or mounting fixations is surely the first thing to do. Our Ropes and Woods hanging kit is a reliable and ecological way of hanging your hammock. It simplicity of use makes it a suitable solution to hang a hammock inside a home or between two trees in a garden. That is probably the reason why people from Guatemala are usually fixing their hammocks this way. We are also providing a wall mount fixations kit with steel anchors. They are nicely designed, and one single of those wall fixations can be loaded up to 140 kg (280 pounds). They have a diameter of 12 cm, and they include two pairs of screws.
How much space to extend a hammock
The ideal distance may not always seem evident to define and, in fact, a few centimeters can make a sensible difference in terms of comfort. You will have to adapt it to your own preference, but it’s generally ideal to apply a moderate tension. You will not necessarily need to have a space as big as the hammock is long to hang it. Many tutorials indicate that the length should measure about twice the height: lenght = X – height = X/2. Such calculation is a good way to get an idea of the place you need. However, this ideal tension is something you need to feel. If the place seems too tight, you should consider that it is possible to shorten considerably the support strings on both sides. To do so, just loose each support knots (simple knots) and bring them upper (let them slide).What about a hammock stand?
It can be a great solution in some particular cases when there are no satisfactory alternatives. Even though, whenever it is possible, we advise avoiding hammocks stands. A stand can make it difficult to extend the mesh of your hammock properly. It will probably feel smaller, or even tight, in comparison with laying in an the same hammock fixed between some walls or trees. Before making the choice of a static hammock stand, it is also important to consider that a hammock fixed on walls can be removed within a few seconds, while a hammock stand may take some place for a long time in your living room or on your terrace.
Fixing a hanging chair
To have a thicker rope, what can handle alone the weight of the person sitting or laying in the hanging-chair, is an evident difference compared to what is necessary for fixing a hammock. For the rest, it’s almost the same advice that can be given. Of course, for a hanging-chair, another difference is that you will have to think vertically and accord importance to the weight that the ceiling or tree branch above you can support. Like for hammocks, you may need to ask for the confirmation of a professional if you are not sure of the weight the prefered support can hold.
Taking care of your hammock
The first recommendation, if you are looking to keep your hammock intact for many years, is to avoid exposing it to extreme weather conditions and below zero temperatures! A hammock or hanging-chair should not be stored in a humid place that would probably favor moisture. The cotton bag we send our hammocks in is a practical packaging in more than one aspect. Such natural packaging allows you to transport and store your hammock without damaging the cotton fabric or net it’s made from. Such packing material allows the hammock to breathe. The last advantage of the cotton bag is that it makes it easy to wash your hammock. While washing a hammock this way, we recommend using the delicate program of the machine and not mixing it with clothes.