Unfortunately, if you buy a hammock, you will not return home after your purchase to find the most perfect trees spaced just right from which to hang your new hammock. You must also be realistic and not doggedly try to set up a hammock at any cost between two trees that you think “should work.” This can be quite dangerous.
If you aren’t able to find the perfect spot to hang your hammock, don’t despair. There is always the hammock post option, though installing hammock posts requires some work and posts don’t really allow you to move your hammock around. A great alternative are hammock stands, or hammock frames, which are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Indeed, many people like stands so much because they can be moved around to take advantage of sun, shade, or warmth from a patio heater.
When buying a hammock, you often purchase a package where the hammock and frame are included together. If, however, you already have a hammock and you must purchase a stand on its own, you must be aware of the characteristics of your hammock, especially of whether or not your particular hammock has spreader bars, as this will be an essential factor in which type of stand you can purchase.
If you don’t have enough space for the classic hammock, you can always choose a hammock chair. Hammock stands for hammock chairs are also available, though, again, most likely your hammock chair and stand will be packaged together.
There are three types of hammock stands available today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of which stand to buy is essentially up to your tastes and budget, though, again, you must be aware of the nature of your hammock before purchasing a stand. For example, a hammock chair stand will be slightly different than a stand for another type of hammock.
The most expensive hammock stand is that made of stainless steel; the price is a reflection of this type’s reliability and durability. Stainless steel does not succumb to rust by moisture and so these hammock stands preserve a fresh, new look for quite a long time, even when exposed to the elements. These stands are ideal for outdoor locations and spots with particular environmental conditions.
Wooden stands are another type of very popular hammock stand; cypress is often used to make wooden hammock stands. These stands are designed for hammocks both with and without spreader bars. You can find a huge selection of sizes, designs, and styles of wooden hammock stands, more so than anything available in metal. Wood is heavier than metal and so these hammocks are harder to move around, but they are very stable. You may have to add some kind of varnish or protective finish or sealant to weather proof the wood, and you may have to apply this weather proofing material periodically, but many people consider this to be an acceptable price to pay for the beauty that wooden stands offer in any setting. Another option is letting your hammock weather naturally for a different, and beautiful, look. For people who love DIY projects, download some hammock and frame plans or just hammock stand plans from the internet and build a hammock stand and hammock yourself!
There are also hammock stands made of other metals and these are actually some of the most inexpensive stands on the market. These stands are not as strong as the stainless steel or wooden varieties, but they are a valid option as long as they are not put under too much stress. Check the maximum weight limitation and make sure that it is acceptable for your needs. Also make sure to check the gauge of steel; a high gauge number is synonymous with a lower strength, so be careful. Travel hammock stands are made of aluminum, and come with a tote bag that can hold both the stand and the hammock.
Metal stands are probably the most used stands. They last quite a long time and you can actually apply automotive paint to repair any damage due to chipping; this will also aid them in resistance to rust and weather. Some companies have gotten creative and painted these stands in a variety of ways; there is actually a model that has been hand painted to look like a bamboo hammock stand. These stands are also efficient because they are easily assembled, disassembled, and stored. You can also find wheel kits to add to metal stands so they can actually be quite easy to move. The large majority of these metal stands can only be used with hammocks possessing spreader bars, but there are a few models that can be used with hammocks that don’t have bars.
