First time hanging hammock, very old home.

**Charliewarlie** · 11-03-2017, 19:05

Hello everyone,

I've purchased two hammocks from Amazon.ca (with plans of either buying a Dutchware and/or a Warbonnet in the future); one is 9.8' long, the other is 10.8' long. I, myself, am 5'11", 150 lbs. I am having issues with hanging my hammock due to being unable to find the studs in the wall. Whether or not that's because of the age of the house (over 100 years old), or because there's no studs in the corners of the room, I'm unsure.

The room itself is very small: 9' long, 8' wide, with a diagonal of 12'. There's two door frames (one of which was drilled into up top for my punching bag, the other is the doorway to the balcony) and one window frame. I don't know whether I should try to find two corner studs, if they're there, so that I can have a 11-12' distance between anchors, or if I should go between the door frame and the window frame, which is about 10.5' across. Unless that's a structurally unsound idea and inadvisable, of course.

I don't know how to proceed. I suppose I could get a hammock stand, but from what I've heard of the ones that are 9' long, which would barely fit into my room, they're not exactly ideal for someone who wants to sleep in their hammock every night.

Any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thank you very much,

Charles

**hewittdallas** · 11-03-2017, 19:24

I would highly recommend finding studs to anchor into. Hammocks can generate a decent amount of force and you want to know with certainty what is holding you up. Plus, when you hang corner to corning in a room you are generating some sideways tension on your anchor points which only further shows the importance of a good anchor. Here's a link to the Hammock Hang Calculator which shows the sheer force you would be dealing with. However, I would again remind you that there are other variables in play on a corner to corner hang indoors that need to be taken into consideration.

I know it can be a pain to find studs, but it's better safe than sorry. Regardless of the age of the home, there has to be some structural material near the corner that they tied into.

**Hangdang** · 11-03-2017, 20:00

If it's an old house it could be lathe and plaster...

http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/c1975a36a0...how-ewkt0e.jpg

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**gunner76** · 11-03-2017, 20:37

Maybe put a 6x8 post into corners and run bolt into that.

**hutzelbein** · 11-04-2017, 02:29

Originally Posted by gunner76

Maybe put a 6x8 post into corners and run bolt into that.

+1

Or better yet: put posts in the corners with a little space and use them like you would use a tree. It's much easier to get a good hang if you can move the suspension up and down freely. When I still hung from anchor points, my walls looked like a Swiss cheese - and still I never got it 100% right.

**Wisscy** · 11-04-2017, 06:53

Originally Posted by Hangdang

If it's an old house it could be lathe and plaster...

http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/c1975a36a0...how-ewkt0e.jpg

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Which does have studs behind it, typically on 15" centers I believe. It does mess with stud finders though, may need to set your depth deeper.

They did do plaster and lath over brick as well, so depending on the rest of the building that could be a consideration.

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**Mrsamman** · 11-04-2017, 07:54

If you don't care about looks, I would put a 4x4 post in opposite corners and run 2x4 at the ceiling running from corner to corner bracing the 4x4 posts. With such short distances it would be pretty easy. Double up the 2x4's by putting one edge to the other side and screwing together.

Scott

**Hangdang** · 11-04-2017, 13:27

I believe in the dual purpose system....install really sturdy stripper poles

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**SoaknWet** · 11-04-2017, 15:31

If your house is like mine, 97+ yrs old, it'll have true 2x4 studs but anywhere from 24 to 36 inch centers or a combination of both. Your biggest concern will be making sure you have found a complete 1 pc stud cause they would nail 2 PC's together to make one stud. It really didn't matter to them with lath and plaster.

**P-Dub** · 11-04-2017, 20:44

Originally Posted by SoaknWet

If your house is like mine, 97+ yrs old, it'll have true 2x4 studs but anywhere from 24 to 36 inch centers or a combination of both. Your biggest concern will be making sure you have found a complete 1 pc stud cause they would nail 2 PC's together to make one stud. It really didn't matter to them with lath and plaster.

So true -- I never know where the studs will be in my house, and I have seen the funky splinted 2x4s in some other old houses...