You may have noticed that the swing sets of metal that have been the standard in playgrounds for so many years are slowly being superseded by the wooden swing set. The process is moving in a very gradual way because after all, the sturdy play sets of metal tend to last a long time, and have stood up to a lot of wear and tear over time. But improvements can always be made, and in more recent years, designers’ thoughts have turned toward keeping this playground equipment both durable and safe.
Make no mistake; the metal swing set has certainly stood the test of time. If it’s made of galvanized steel, it will be rust-resistant, but no matter how they were designed, all of these metal sets have served the public well over the years. But with an eye to adding a bit more security, people began switching to the specially treated wooden swing set and are gradually replacing those made of the harder material with less give.
In colder climates, for example, there has always been the risk of a child’s skin becoming frozen to the metal on the older play sets. And during a hot summer, there’s the reverse problem of a child being burned by the over-heated metal. On the other hand, a swing set made of wood, while it also cools down and heats up, doesn’t hit nearly the temperature extremes as metal does. Yes, if not properly maintained, wood can be subject to rotting; however, if these sets are made of pressure treated lumber, then this decay is much less likely.
It may seem a bit shallow to prefer a wooden swing set simply for esthetic reasons, but the look of the set can also be a factor in what is chosen. Since this play structure will be a prominent feature of the back yard, it’s an advantage that the wood can be stained to match other elements of yard furniture, like a picnic or patio table and chairs, or even the fence. With the multitude of accessories and add-ons that are available, the owner can make their wood swing set into not just a play area for the kids, but a showpiece of creativity.
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Kids and Teens • November 23rd, 2009 • No Comments »