Why Cedar Is the Best Wood for Your Playset
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- Cedar Wood: A Strong and Reliable Material
- What Makes Cedar the Best Option For Playsets
- Longevity and Durability of Cedar
- Pests Don’t Like Cedar
- Cedar Dries Quickly After Rain or Snow
- Safety of Cedar Swingsets
- Appealing Appearance of Cedar Playset
- Cedar is Environmentally Friendly
- Easy Maintenance for Solid Cedar Playsets
- Solid Beam Construction of Wood Playsets
- Cedar Vs. Other Wood Types
- Cedar Vs. Other Playset Materials
However, not all wood is created equal when it comes to playset construction. Cedar playsets rank higher than other materials in many different areas. Understanding the benefits of going with Cedar helps you make an informed buying decision.
Cedar Wood: A Strong and Reliable Material
What makes cedar so special? Cedar has many natural properties that make it a strong, reliable and safe material for outdoor structures like playsets. The wood comes from needled evergreen trees. It’s a soft wood, which means it’s lighter than hardwood varieties, but cedar isn’t weak due to this lightness. It holds up well year after year under the most brutal conditions. Cedar contains natural preservatives in its fibers that help the wood last longer than other varieties. It’s also moisture-resistant, which makes it ideal for outdoor uses like playsets. Cedar holds its shape well with moisture and weather changes and resists the rot and decay that can happen with 4 seasons of abuse.In other words, it doesn’t warp, swell or otherwise change each time the weather turns for the worse. It’s even resistant to rot when it comes into contact with soil, which makes it ideal for an outdoor play area that sits on the ground. Cedar is also known for its aroma. It has a distinct smell many people find appealing compared to a plastic or metal playset.
What Makes Cedar the Best Option for Playsets
The wood from cedar trees offers many natural benefits that make it ideal for play structures. Not only does it produce a long-lasting, safe playset, but cedar also enhances the look of your backyard. When you compare the qualities of cedar to other woods or playset materials, cedar always comes out on top as the clear winner. Consider the following characteristics of the wood to understand why it is the best option for playset material.Longevity and Durability of Cedar
Cedar is one of the longest-lasting types of lumber you can find, which means your cedar play structure will likely be standing years after your kids outgrow it. Your grandkids may even have the chance to play on it someday. When you invest in our Original Playcenter with Wood Roof or other deluxe sets, you know you can use it for a long time.Because of its naturally protective qualities, cedar doesn’t deteriorate as fast as some other types of wood. A closed-cell structure means the cedar wood doesn’t soak up moisture, which is a good thing when you’re talking about an outdoor wood structure. This property cuts down on the potential for mold or mildew that can eat away and destroy a playset. It also minimizes rotting, which often happens due to moisture damage in the wood grains.
Pests Don’t Like Cedar
The resistance to insects underscores the durability of cedar construction. That distinct smell of cedar that so many people like is the same thing that drives insects away from the wood and keeps the playset safe.Termites can be a big problem with many wood structures, but cedar is a termite-resistant material. Due to the smell and structure of the wood, termites will not attack your play structure and your yard will be safe! You don’t have to worry about termites eating their way through your support beams and destroying your child’s play area. The wood also repels other insects, too, which can be just as damaging to the playset structure. By keeping those destructive insects away, you protect the integrity of your playset, keeping it stable and safe.
Cedar Dries Quickly After Rain or Snow
Cedar can come into direct contact with soil and water without sustaining damage. Since playsets are anchored into the ground and exposed to natural elements, that characteristic is a big help in making cedar playsets last. When cedar does get wet from rain or snow, it dries out much faster than other types of wood, which further decreases the chance of rot.All that natural resistance to rot, insects and other damage comes with another advantage. Your play structure isn’t covered in any extra chemicals.
Treated wood structures hold up outdoors because they’ve had many potentially toxic chemicals added to them. Even quick contact with a chemical-covered playset can leave the chemicals behind on your child’s hands. When your child eats a snack without washing their hands after playtime, those chemicals can go into their body. You take care to keep toxic materials away from your kids inside your home, so it makes sense to extend that concern to outdoor play structures.
Safety of Cedar Swingsets
When choosing a playset, you and your kids likely have different priorities. They want something that’s truly awesome and fun. You want something that keeps them entertained but also keeps them safe. Choosing a well-made, reliable playground system for your backyard reduces the chances of sustaining an injury. Picking solid cedar playsets helps make your backyard play area a safer place to be, especially in the summer. Other materials heat up quickly, bringing the potential for burns. Some slides have been measured at over 160 degrees, which can cause significant burn injuries rapidly. Anything over 120 degrees can cause serious burns in just seconds.Many kids have received severe burns on a single trip down an overheated slide. Metal is one of the worst offenders of overheating in the sun. If you have a metal playset in your backyard, it could cause painful burns on your child’s skin, especially if it’s in direct sunlight.
Cedar doesn’t heat up like those other materials. That means it won’t burn your child’s skin, even on a sweltering day. If your cedar playset has plastic components, such as our Classic Fort and Classic Playcenter Combo 2, it’s always important to check them before letting your child play on a hot day, as plastic can get hot enough to burn the skin.
Another advantage of cedar is its lack of splintering when you touch the wood. You don’t have to worry about the cedar components splitting off. That means a lower risk of getting splinters in your feet or receiving cuts and scrapes from jagged, splintered areas. The smoother surfaces make it easier for your kids to touch the playset structure without getting lots of slivers.
Appealing Appearance of a Cedar Playset
A playset takes a prominent spot in your backyard. Sure, you want something your kids love playing on, but you also want something that looks good. Playsets made of metal, plastic or unstained wood can stand out as an eyesore in your backyard. They may not hold up as well over time, which makes them look old and even less attractive.Cedar, on the other hand, has a beautiful reddish tone. You get the natural beauty of cedar in a well-constructed playset that stands the test of time. That means your backyard can look great and keep your kids entertained when you add an attractive set from Superior Play Systems®, such as the Turbo Original Fort Hangout.
Because of the structural stability of cedar, the pieces remain straight and flat, so your structure stays looking great long-term. The look of the wood also holds up well to aging. Even if you don’t stain the cedar wood, it ages well and looks great over the years. If you want to keep the original reddish brown color, you can seal the structure yearly to prevent it from showing its age.
Cedar Is Environmentally Friendly
Cedar is a natural product, so it’s a more environmentally friendly option than some materials. It’s also a renewable material, unlike other playset structures made of metal or plastic. At the end of your playset’s life, you can repurpose the cedar into something else. If it’s no longer of use to you, cedar is biodegradable, unlike plastics and metals often used in playset construction.Cedar playsets also hold up well without the need for toxic chemical treatments to prevent rot or insect damage:
- That makes your little corner of the world healthier and safer by limiting your child’s exposure to chemicals.
- It keeps more toxic chemicals out of the environment in general.
Easy Maintenance for Solid Cedar Playsets
Because cedar is so durable and naturally resistant to rot, insects and other damage, it doesn’t require as much maintenance as some other materials. You may need to wash your cedar play structure occasionally to get rid of the natural buildup of dirt and grime. While sealing isn’t required, you can coat the cedar with sealant every year or two to give it a little extra protection.Sealing also helps retain the original color of the structure. You should also visually inspect any playset regularly to look for loose hardware or other things that could potentially cause injuries. Other than that, your cedar playset is relatively low maintenance, which means your kids can play safely and you don’t have a long to-do list to keep it that way.
Solid Beam Construction of Wood Playsets
The best cedar playsets use solid beam construction instead of engineered wood or layers of wood that are glued together. Wooden playsets constructed with those inferior methods are often more susceptible to buckling and warping, which affects safety and stability. All playsets from Superior Play feature solid beam construction, so you can feel confident in the strength and safety of your backyard play area.Cedar Vs. Other Wood Types
Not all wooden playsets are made from durable cedar. When looking at your options, find out what type of wood each playset uses. Cedar comes out on top when compared to other wood varieties. One of the biggest advantages of cedar over other wood is its resistance to moisture and other weather elements:- Many wood varieties swell, shrink or warp in response to changes in moisture levels. That means the playset made out of anything but cedar you spent so much money on, may become warped.
- That swelling and shrinking can also cause damage to the playset. As the wood changes, it can pull apart and loosen the fasteners, which affects the stability of the playset. Since cedar doesn’t change as much as other woods, you have a consistent play structure that stays securely fastened together.
That makes those other wood structures more difficult to maintain. If you opt out of the additional maintenance, you may find a play structure built of another type of wood doesn’t last nearly as long. Plus, most other types of wood use those toxic chemicals to help them hold up, which unnecessarily exposes your kids to the chemicals.
Cedar Vs. Other Playset Materials
Wood isn’t the only option when it comes to playset material. Metal is a commonly used material for playsets, especially larger commercial grade sets. Plastic is also used, more often on smaller structures for toddlers or on the extra pieces, like the slides on our Original Fort Double Trouble.
Playsets made primarily of those materials may cost less depending on their design, but they are also inferior in quality and looks. Metal playsets can rust over time or have hard and potentially hot surfaces. Plastic tends to crack or sag when left in the sun and the elements. Metal and plastic stand out because they aren’t organic materials. Wood playsets made of cedar have a natural look that makes them seem to fit into your outdoor space.
A cedar playset offers a substantial structure that keeps it stable, such as our Original Fort Hangout. Cedar is a sturdy wood that makes the playset secure. Often, smaller metal and plastic play structures usually aren’t as stable. A little metal playset might tip over when kids swing or play too vigorously, for example.
Quality Construction of Superior Play Playsets
Construction methods also affect the overall quality of a play structure. Superior Play Systems® playsets use the strongest components and construction methods to ensure your playset remains stable. All of our playsets feature high-quality cedar, so you get the natural resistance to insects, fungus and rot without any toxic chemicals in your child’s play area.Multi-beam joint connections give each playset a strong foundation, so you can feel comfortable letting your kids climb and play on the equipment. Paired with the solid beam construction, our playsets are reliable and long-lasting. Hot-dipped galvanized steel hardware resists corrosion, so you don’t have to worry about those components breaking down over time. Heavy-duty steel brackets also help create a strong foundation for the playsets.
The equipment undergoes extensive testing to ensure it’s safe for your kids. Engineers check all the fun play equipment designs for safety and guarantee they exceed all requirements. Children test out the equipment and give feedback, so you know the playset options from Superior Play are both safe and appealing to kids.
We Look Out for Your Kids’ Safety on Our Cedar Swingsets
Beyond the cedar components, our playsets feature several pieces that make the play experience safer:- Slides on our playsets feature a special double-wall construction that eliminates the need for any exterior reinforcement. You won’t see any hardware, bolts or wood reinforcements that can cause cuts, snags and other injuries.
- All ladder rungs, hand grips, handrails and trapeze bars feature Gotcha Non Slip Grips.
- The hot-dipped galvanized steel has a dimpled texture with powder coating to keep little hands steady without slipping.
- Rubber-dipped chains on our swings protect kids from getting pinched and keep the chains cooler in hot weather.
As your kids get older, their preferences may change. Since our playsets are expandable and modular, you can easily swap out old components or add new elements that better reflect your child’s interests right now, such as replacing the tire swing on the Turbo Original Playcenter Combo 3 with a Daydreamer Swing.
Your Cedar Swing Set’s Warranty
The heavy-duty cedar swing sets offered by Superior Play are designed to last. Tested and built to the highest specifications and standards, these cedar swing sets and play equipment are designed to withstand heavy use and the elements.The solid beam cedar construction is part of the secret. It’s naturally resistant to moisture and pests, allowing it to last longer. In addition, heavy-duty hardware and construction make the structures solid for your peace of mind and safety.
In fact, we’re so confident that we offer a lifetime warranty on many of our play items. Our industry-leading warranties will ensure that you get the best return on your investment for generations to come. In addition, Playground One® items are covered by a 10-year warranty on all wooden components against rot, corrosion and insect infestation.
Installation Services
Superior Play understands that choosing the right heavy-duty playset or cedar swing sets is the first step. You’ll need to figure out how to install these playsets. Fortunately, we have you covered. We offer professional installation services in parts of New York as well as in Alabama, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. If you live in one of these areas, just contact us, and one of our experienced, courteous professionals will set up your cedar playset.Our customer care team will call you a few days before installation to work out the details. We’ll take care of the logistics, including making sure you’re aware of “call before you dig” requirements in your area. We will confirm a date that works for you.
That’s it! Your installation professionals will arrive and set up your new heavy-duty playset in your space. We’ll make sure the playset is stable, safe and installed according to the manufacturer’s directions. By using our professional installation services, you can enjoy the added peace of mind of knowing that your playset is installed safely and in a way that safeguards your warranty. Our team even conducts safety checks after installations.
We can save you time and frustration. Our installers have the right tools and experience, so you won’t have to worry about getting injured while trying to install a playset. Don’t fuss with instructions or spend an afternoon getting your new equipment set up — our installers can handle it for you so that you can focus on fun.
Add-On Features
You’ve bought your heavy-duty cedar playset, and your children are having a blast. But did you know your journey to fun isn’t over? As your children grow and their interests change, you can update their play area with fun add-ons and accessories. Just consider the possibilities:- Binoculars to turn a playset into a secret fort
- A wheel to turn a fort into a ship on the high seas
- A toddler bucket seat to engage the newest member of the family
- A periscope for “underseas” exploration
- An adult hammock swing to ensure everyone in the family gets to use the playset
- A convertible picnic table to turn your playset into a dining adventure
- And much, much more
