Hammocks for a summer residence: varieties and tips for choosing

A hammock is a great option for those who like a quiet rest, because in it you can lie down, take a nap, read a book, or dream. A high-quality dacha a hammock is the favorite place for anyone who prefers to get out of the bustling city in warm weather.

The hammock was invented by the Indians who inhabited South America. Initially, hanging products were made in order to protect themselves from snakes. Later, wicker beds spread throughout the continent. Sailors began to hang them on ships, especially on long voyages, since these products were saved from motion sickness.

The materials for making hammocks depend on their origin. If the Indians used vines and wood, then in our country a country hammock is made from the most affordable materials. Our products are significantly inferior in quality and comfort to their Colombian or Brazilian counterparts, but this absolutely does not prevent them from being a kind of symbol of summer country holidays.

Fortunately, over the past 40 years, manufacturers and designers have learned how to create hammocks from modern and high-tech materials, which makes them as convenient and reliable as possible. They will decorate not only a summer cottage, but also fit into the interior of a city apartment, bringing back memories of summer.

A country hammock as a product can be presented in completely different ways. The abundance of different types allows everyone to choose the option that suits him the most.

Most immediately imagine just such a hammock. The suspended version is the most popular and budgetary type of this product. Such a hammock consists of a stretched mesh. For security, the main ropes are usually passed through wooden or plastic slats, which allows you to maintain the full width of the canvas when hanging the hammock. Sometimes there may be no slats, which is convenient, for example, when traveling, since such a hammock can be easily folded and put in a bag. However, a significant plus in the form of easy transportation is offset by the relative insecurity and fragility of such a product.

The model with slats is subject to wear and tear. Very often buyers are faced with the fact that the canvas is rubbed, the fastening threads near the slats are torn, the ropes are stretched under constant weight and pressure. The hanging bed can usually only fit one person. Manufacturers also often indicate the maximum allowable weight that a hammock can support. Planks can withstand up to 70 kg, models without planks even less.

A frame hammock is a product on a stand. If suspended models require supporting elements to which they can be hung, then the complete set of frame models already includes a frame-support. Such a product can be installed absolutely anywhere. Naturally, it is very difficult to transport and carry frame hammocks.

The word "stationary" speaks for itself. Such heavy hammocks are often simply installed in one place and do not move.... For this, the frame is provided with additional stability and reliability. A stationary frame hammock can turn into a full-fledged sleeping place both on a plot in the garden and inside a house, apartment and even an office space.

Collapsible hammocks are most often very similar to ordinary hanging ones, only they are equipped with a portable frame (it could just be 2 metal pegs). Naturally, such a model can be easily carried and installed in any free space, it is cheaper, but, unfortunately, very unreliable.

The model name speaks for itself. In such a hammock, they do not lie, but sit, since its shape is a chair. The chair can be either frame or suspended. Suspended model suspended from a tree branch or ceiling... It differs from conventional hanging hammocks in that it has only one frame bar, to which ropes are tied on both sides, then this bar is attached to the base using a support rope.

Sitting in this hammock is a pleasure, especially if the model also consists of a canopy to protect it from the sun's rays.

The swing hammock can function as a chair. Its main difference from all other models is that all the threads and fastening ropes are connected at one point, which can be either a tree branch or an additional frame thought out by the manufacturer in advance. The main advantage of a swing is that it is the safest model of all hammocks, even can be used for babies... It is impossible to fall out of such a cradle.

The larger the hammock, the more people it can fit. The maximum lifting capacity of the swing depends only on the reliability of the fastening, and not on the properties of the canvas itself. The disadvantages of the model include only a fairly high price, which fully justifies the reliability, comfort and versatility of the product.

There are quite original hammocks with a mosquito net, an egg hammock, a round hammock (the cloth is stretched with ropes around the diameter of the circle), a hammock bed (it is popular not so much in a summer cottage as in an apartment, since it is a full replacement for a bed), a hammock on a counter (a type of frame hammock , in which the banner hangs over the wooden frame-rack).

The main selection criterion is the purpose of the purchased hammock. Based on what kind of hammock you need, you can choose one of the 4 types presented above.

Having decided on the model, it is worthwhile to study the material from which it was made. The material is the key to the comfort of the bed.

Mesh panels, unfortunately, are the least optimal option. The net can be very uncomfortable, it is very difficult and even painful to be in such a hammock for a long time. Mesh itself is not a very reliable material as it tends to sag. In order to somehow increase the comfort of the mesh bed, it is recommended to use bedspreads, mattresses and other dense products. The mesh product is nevertheless good for travel due to its compactness. Plus, such a model fully justifies its really low cost.

The most affordable model, the price of which is fully consistent with the quality. Fabric products can be of different colors, designs. The variety of models is really amazing.

Fabric hammocks differ in the materials used in the manufacturing process. The best quality purchase will be a cotton bed. Cotton is a material that will easily adapt to the person who is lying in the hammock. Everyone knows that cotton is a hypoallergenic fabric that perfectly permeates moisture and air, making it ideal for children. The relatively high strength of the cotton fabric will also be a significant advantage.

If we talk about its shortcomings, then, like any natural material, cotton is susceptible to deterioration due to moisture ingress and constant stretching.

Another popular option among natural fabric hammocks is linen. In terms of properties and comfort, it resembles cotton. However, unfortunately, linen models are more prone to shrinkage after washing. Also, linen fabric wrinkles very quickly, which does not always look presentable.

Fabric hammocks are also made from materials such as burlap, parachute silk, teak, camouflage fabric, and fabric for making tents. Each of them has its own specific properties, which means both advantages and disadvantages.

Synthetic products are the most preferred option for rainy weather, because synthetic fabrics dry very quickly. Synthetics do not lose their shape, do not fade. The most popular fabrics used in their production are nylon and polyester... The latter in its properties is a little closer to cotton due to its softness and reliability. In general, synthetic hammocks are able to hold much less weight than models made from natural fabrics. But mold does not form on synthetics, it does not rot. The price of such models is also relatively more affordable.

This is a prototype of exactly those products that were made in South America. Wicker hammocks look very solid, therefore they are much more expensive than fabric models. Weaving is performed from the bark of trees, vines, branches. Rattan and Brazil nut are the most popular materials for strength and durability. Quality wickerwork is fine withstand any weather conditions, are not afraid of the sun, snow or rain.

When choosing a hammock, you must also rely on it dimensions (there are hammocks from 1.5 to 2 m), maximum load (wicker models can withstand up to 160 kg, and cotton ones - up to 100-120 kg), roominess (the bed can be designed for one person, two or even a whole company).

The price is often fully justified by the quality. Therefore, when choosing a durable model, you should not save. Special attention must be paid to the quality of the ropes and fasteners, because it is they who guarantee the safety of those who will rest in this bed.

Recently, manufacturers have taken up the manufacture of specialized children's hammocks. They look like regular hammocks, but have higher comfort and safety ratings. Side bumpers, specially selected shape and size, high-quality natural materials provide the child with the most comfortable rest.

Choosing the perfect place for a hammock in your summer cottage is not an easy task. To ensure the comfort of the vacationer, it is advisable to install a hammock in the shade.... Drafts can be hazardous to health, so it is best to avoid windy areas. From the point of view of hygiene and cleanliness, the most optimal surface for installation is a lawn, since there is much less dust in dry weather and dirt in rainy weather.

To properly position your hanging hammock, you need to choose the right support. The most popular option is to stretch the product between trees. If there are no trees nearby, the support will have to be built independently, based on the overall dimensions of the product. You can fix the canvas on metal or concrete pillars by driving them into the ground to a depth of at least 50 cm. It must be hung on the pillars so that it is possible to adjust the tension.

Height from canvas to ground is also of great importance. It should be sufficient so that the hammock in which the person lies does not touch the ground. This attachment height must be at least 150 cm and not more than 2 m.

Installing a frame hammock is, of course, much easier. It just needs to be put in a pre-selected place in the country. If the product does not provide for a canopy, then it must be installed so that it is as little as possible exposed to moisture.

You need to mount a chair or swing on the most reliable support. It is especially important to consider this if they are intended for children. Usually, manufacturers attach instructions for assembling and installing products, so you should focus on it first of all.

For information on how to choose the right hammock, see the next video.