Hanging from ceiling beams.. in a rented flat?

[Highbinder]

Would you risk it?

I'm just about to move into a new flat and I would love to be able to hang inside. I've attached a picture that shows the beams. The building is from the first half of the 19th century. Do you think it would be okay to have both attachment points on the same beam or better to set it diagonally, with each point on different beams?

Or better not to hang at all. Is there any way to tell its safe short of trying? I'm 140lb btw

Opinions needed chaps

[vinny]

Try a hammock stand instead?

No damage to the property, movable and you can even DIY one..

[hppyfngy]

A couple of points.

First, it appears that those beams are rather high up. In excess of 8'? If that's the case, or even close, you will need a great span to hang a hammock from the ceiling directly. Perhaps 16' or more.

Secondly, those are lovely beams and I sure wouldn't want to damage them. And if they are as old as the building, I don't know about their integrity.

I doubt your weight would be an issue, but I believe I'd make a simple stand instead.

OTOH, thorough examination and experimentation is probably key if you want to pursue the idea. Take your existing hammock and lay it out first just to see if it's feasible and report back with measurements and close-up pics of the beams.

Anything's possible!

[NMardin]

+1 with Vinny, try a hammock stand.

[Highbinder]

A stand is a possibility, I may have access to some cheap lumber in the next month, however there is a certain allure of a stand-free setup. I've yet to take a measuring tape to the space and crunch numbers. From memory I don't think the beams are higher than 8ft up.

They are old beams but this thread is me questioning their integrity I suppose, but from first inspection they appear sturdy, no deep cracks, no termites, I mean they are holding the building up aren't they I can provide close up pics in a few days.

I've also heard mention of 'C clamps' being used on exposed joists. It would solve the problem of marking the timber but a quick Google search didn't come up with anything that seemed relevant, could anyone provide a correct link?

[Ramblinrev]

If you want to use clamps I would strongly advise against it. The geometry and workings of a clamp result in uneven forces when use other than as they are intended. I would be very concerned they would slip off.

IMO it is inappropriate for a tenant to hang from a rented structure. Your own building.. if you want to take the risk you're on the line. A rented building... Let's just say if I was the landlord I would not be happy. But that's me. I recommend a stand.

[Rain Man]

They are old beams but this thread is me questioning their integrity I suppose, but from first inspection they appear sturdy, no deep cracks, no termites, I mean they are holding the building up aren't they?

First off, don't do it without the owner's consent.

That said, if a beam would support someone standing on top of it, it will support someone hanging from the bottom of it. That's my common sense.

Rain Man

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[Highbinder]

Oh no I wouldn't start drilling without checking it's okay first! But thanks everyone for the advice, weighing up the options now - had no idea where I could get a reasonably priced stand here in Spain but then I spotted the IKEA stand thread and their .es shop stocks it too.

[Sterwee]

Yeah, I do like the sensation of stand-free hanging. Cool idea! Hope it works

[Markunas]

I could be wrong but the first thing i noticed in the picture of your beams is they don't appear to be structural at all. When i zoom in they look to be 3/4" or 1" stuff boxed up to look like an actual beam. Strickly cosmetic for looks only. Not actually holding anything up. They could be wrapping other lumber but could also be hollow. Then again I could be wrong. Either way I would not hang from them.