Children just love to play in the backyard, and outdoor wooden playsets are a great addition to their colourful world. These playsets turn any backyard into an adventure playground where children can explore mini-building structures and get involved in physical activities like climbing ladders then sliding down.
Guidelines for buying wooden playsets
* Material. Woods are undoubtedly the most suitable material for playsets, but several types of wood may lead the buyer into getting wooden parts that easily rot. To assure of its quality, certain types of wood like cedar, cypress and redwood are recommended. Materials with further quality and safety certifications are also more preferred. In addition, woods with added protection like those that are stain-coated are more durable, sturdy, and can last longer.
* Warranty. Even with high quality materials, wooden playsets are constantly battered by children who play around it. It can deteriorate the playset more than harsh weather conditions can. Hence, warranties are very important upon purchase. Playsets with lifetime warranties are, of course, highly recommended. This type of warranty though may incur additional expenses. But if one is looking for a long-lasting playset, cost-to-warranty length ratio is worthy to be considered. If lifetime warranty is not available, its coverage is the next important thing to consider. Warranty on both parts and service is one thing to look at.
* Upgradability. Playsets with upgradeable and expandable features offer children different varieties of play. Children get easily bored with playsets that look the same all the time and would rather not play with it in the long run. By making sure these are highly configurable, children will be more excited to explore. Their curiosities are renewed every time they sense something new.
* Safety. Most playground accidents occur when children slip off the slide or the slide ladder and fall down to the ground. By making sure that slides have safety design features like proper handle bars, accidents like these are less likely to happen. Ladders must also be strong and skid-free. Safety certifications are also available from manufacturers so it is important to inquire about these.
Cost of backyard wooden playsets
Depending on the size, construction, design and quality of materials used, costs of outdoor wooden playsets greatly vary. A small playset with an 8-foot slide, swing, and grab handles that can accommodate three to five children playing simultaneously can cost for as low as $400. Larger ones constructed as two mini-houses and two slides with handle bars and three swings can be bought for $4000.