Many people are opting to purchase wooden playground equipment for their backyard play area or for public playgrounds. This is because wood stands up to rigorous play and the elements of nature. Depending on the type of wood used in the construction, it may or may not require annual maintenance. Redwood and cedar are virtually splinter free and will not warp out of shape. They are also rot and insect resistant. Redwood must be stained every year to maintain its colour, but cedar does not need to be stained at all. Pine, on the other hand, requires a chemical treatment in order for the wood to last. It is not splinter free or insect resistant.
Wooden playground equipment can include every type of equipment that is manufactured from other materials. Teeter-totters, tree houses, forts and castles, ladders and climbing bars are all made from wood. Other accessories such as slides, periscopes, telescopes and steering wheels are made from plastic. The seats on the swings can be plastic or wood. Cedar provides a longer lasting sturdy framework for playground equipment.
Wooden playground equipment looks better in the natural environment and does not have the cold feeling of metal. It blends in with all environments, whether in the country or city. Large backyards are not needed to have wooden playground equipment. This can be custom made and built to suit a variety of sized areas. Attachments and accessories can be added over time and the wooden playground equipment itself can be built right on location. Plans and kits are available at lumberyards and retail outlets to help people design and build their own wooden cedar playground equipment.
