You’ll need a hammock stand if you don’t plan to hang your hammock among trees; or if you don’t have any trees, structures or posts to safely hang the hammock from.

When shopping for a stand, giving some thought to the material that it’s constructed from is important. You should consider whether you’ll be using the hammock mostly indoors or out, in a sheltered area or perhaps in open air next to your pool or under a tree. The material used in manufacturing the hammock stand should be strong and perhaps weather resistant, and you’ll want to complement your backyard or interior décor. Also consider who or how many people will use the hammock. Will two or more people use the hammock at a time? Make sure to buy a strong stand with the weight capacity to hold all users at once. Always keep in mind while you and/or your loved ones are lying suspended in mid-air that your hammock is only as safe as the tree, post or stand that supports it.

You must also take into account the type of hammock you have. Many stands you see in the stores are built for hammocks that have spreader bars – the wooden bars you may see at each end of certain hammocks. If you have a hammock that does not have spreader bars, such as a Mayan hammock, you must buy a stand specifically made for such a hammock. What’s the difference? The hammocks without bars must be hung considerably higher than those with bars, otherwise you’ll be sitting on the ground. Also account for the length of the hammock you have, and buy a stand that Powdercoating can accommodate that length.

There are two basic materials used for hammock stands, wood and metal (usually steel or aluminum) .

Wood Hammock Stand

Wood stands have a classic look about them. These stands are very strong, stable and durable. If you want to use a wooden stand outdoors you can, but you should look for stands made from a wood that resists moisture. Cypress, teak and cedar are types of wood known for weather resistance. A wood stand’s finish will change on exposure to the elements. You may want to generously apply wood preservative to the base of the stand to protect it, especially if it will sit on damp ground. To preserve unfinished wood’s original appearance treat it yearly with a quality wood moisture repellent. You can stain these stands or paint them; or simply leave outdoor wood hammock stands untreated and they’ll slowly weather to a silver gray finish.

Steel and Stainless Steel Stands

Steel is a common material for stands. It is very strong and durable. The lower the gauge of steel, the tougher and more durable it is. For example, a stand made from 12 gauge steel is heavier and more sturdy than a 16 gauge steel stand. The very best stands use 12 gauge or lower steel. Higher-gauge steel stands are less expensive; but are often lower quality. You can buy steel stands in many colors to match your design scheme. Look for steel stands with powdercoated finishes. Many of these stands are made for the spreader bar hammocks; but you can find quality steel stands for non-spreader bar hammocks.

Why might you want a stainless steel stand? Besides their striking appearance, if your hammock is outdoors on an open patio, the lawn, or near salt water or a pool, it will be exposed to the elements. A stainless steel hammock stand best resists rust and moisture damage, enabling it to remain strong and able to support your body weight. Stainless steel stands are somewhat more expensive than the common steel ones, but their durability and bright good looks can make up for costs.