Swing Set

Many homeowners choose their house according to yard space because they want a safe haven in which children can play. Once the yard’s ready, a swing set seems to come naturally afterward. However a cautious parent isn’t going to just buy a swing set without considering the options and safety features.

 
A lot of people are buying wooden swings because they appreciate the way it looks in the yard. Most wood is durable especially if treated regularly, and it holds more weight. It also usually lasts longer than metal sets (but also costs more). Mind you these sets typically come with a good warrantee stretching upward of 25 years.

 
If you like the appeal of wood, the only caution is to avoid pine. As a soft wood it’s prone to cracking. Once moisture gets into those cracks the swing set will begin to rot and you won’t even see signs of it until its too late. Pressure treated lumber is a good alternative, but even with this there can be safety issues in the manufacturing process. Take a work glove and run your hand over the surfaces that children would naturally handle. If you find the cloth catching – there are edges that will need sanding or nuts and bolts that need to have some type of covering to keep children from being cut.

Metal swings can also have those kinds of hazards, but you won’t be spending as much. You’ll still get several years of useful life out of a galvanized steel set. This kind of steel doesn’t rust and holds up fairly well. If your family isn’t likely to grow more, this might be the perfect option. By the time the kids grow out of liking swings, the set will probably be ready to come down too.

Whether buying metal or wood, a safety feature worth considering is chain vs. ropes to hold up the swing seat. There have been many accidents involving rope swings where children get strangled. Chain avoids that, especially if the chain has an exterior of rubber or plastic. Better still, chain lasts far longer than rope, and you won’t be worried about it deteriorating. Finally, look to see if the swing has a way that it can be easily anchored. This way no matter how hard a child swings, the set won’t be jumping off the ground or tipping.

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