
These are the swing sets most adults remember having as a kid. Pressure-treated swing sets are usually the least expensive when it comes to wooden playsets.Īnother option is metal. Today’s pressure-treated wood has safer preservatives, but it is wise to look into the specific type of preservative your swing set contains before making a purchase. The process for pressure-treating wood allows the preservatives to be forced deep in the wood so that the material becomes resistant (which it is not naturally) to decay, insects and rot.īefore 2003–when the Environmental Protection Agency stepped in–this type of lumber often contained a composite that used arsenic. And last it does! This material can hold up for years and years, although the quality (swing sets are not all created equally) can affect tendency to warp and twist. Pressure-treated swing sets contain preservatives, which are applied in an effort to make the material last. This wood is typically a warm yellow or light white color, with hints of red. It has been used abroad for centuries because it is a terrific all-around, versatile material. China-Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is very resistant to decay, pest infestations and fungus.

This material has been used for decades on fencing, outdoor furniture and playgrounds.

Western red cedar, which comes from the Pacific Northwest, is also known for its durability and lightness.
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On the plus side, Northern white cedar is naturally resistant to splintering. But this wood is rather soft, so it does not hold fasteners as well as other materials. It glues and holds paint well and offers little dimensional change, the department states.

Experts consider this wood very durable, and easy to work with. Like cedar, it is naturally resistant to decay and rot, as well as to damage from insects. Redwood, which grows on the coast of California, is the most expensive. If you are leaning toward one of the many types of wooden swing sets, you have several choices: cedar, pressure-treated pine or redwood. From wooden swing sets to those made of vinyl or metal, there are plenty of options, each with pros and cons that are worth contemplating before making a purchase. When it comes to selecting a new playset for the family, one of the most important first questions to consider is the type of material you are selecting.
