The Charleston Porch Swing

Craftsmanship & Details

Every Dainty Leaf porch swing is handcrafted using carefully selected materials chosen for both beauty and long-term durability. We use 1×5½" premium primed kiln-dried southern pine for the back slats and arm supports, paired with a 3½-inch solid oak armrest that provides a beautiful contrast while creating the perfect place to rest a glass of sweet tea or your favorite book.

Our signature 4×4 posts (actual size 3½" × 3½") are specially ordered from a local sawmill with premium Southern Yellow Pine that is surfaced on all four sides for a smooth, furniture-quality appearance. The frame is constructed from 1½" × 4½" premium primed kiln-dried southern yellow pine, creating a strong foundation designed to provide years of dependable use. To protect the swing from the elements, we install oak armrests and cedar post caps, chosen for their natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insects — cedar performs exceptionally well in the heat, humidity, and coastal conditions of the South Carolina Lowcountry, protecting the end grain of the posts and extending the life of the swing.

We build every porch swing using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, reinforced at every corner with 6-inch construction lag screws. Charleston's humidity puts real stress on wood joints over time — even a well-cut mortise and tenon can work loose as the wood expands and contracts through our seasons. The lag screws are our answer to that: they lock each joint firmly in place, so your swing stays solid and tight for years to come, not just when it's new.

The substantial 3½" × 3½" custom-milled posts, topped with handcrafted cedar caps, give the Charleston Swing its bold architectural presence. The front posts measure 18 inches tall while the rear posts extend to 26 inches, creating the swing's signature profile and adding visual depth that complements both traditional and contemporary homes. Black or white is included at no additional cost; any custom Sherwin-Williams color is available for an additional $100, and we'll provide the remaining paint for future touch-ups. We finish every painted swing with Sherwin-Williams® FORTE® Exterior Acrylic Urethane, a premium exterior coating that resists fading, peeling, cracking, and blistering even in the intense sun, high humidity, and changing weather conditions of the South Carolina Lowcountry.