Buying a playset, of any kind, is a big investment and when you finally make the decision on purchasing one, it’s important to know how long it will actually last. According to my research (and I am sure yours as well), Cedar Playsets are known to last the longest. The natural qualities that the Cedarwood possess make them the best choice for outdoor (and indoor) uses.
So, how long do Cedar playsets last? A Cedar playset with thick wood planks can last more than 25 years with proper maintenance while a thinner wood plank model can last you for a minimum of 5 years.
Essentially, you want to make sure that you’re buying something solid that will last you long, is safe and sturdy for your kids. And, if you already own a Cedar playset then you still want to make sure that it is in good shape before you let your precious little kids play on it.
Related: How Long Do Swing Sets Last?
How to Determine the Quality of a Playset?
Many factors can help you determine the quality and overall life span of the Cedar playset. I have narrowed it down to 3 main ones that I think are really important.
1. Product Specifications:
If you’re buying your child(ren) a new playset than make sure you read through the product specifications area and look at the dimensions of the wood planks for the frame and the plank that will hold up the swings.
Are the planks 2×2, 2×4, 4×4, etc. The larger the dimension, the stronger the wood and more expensive but it’s up to you to find that balance between good quality and price based on your budget.
You don’t want to buy something let’s say for $500 that’s flimsy and won’t last you long. It’s a waste of your money if you think about how long you want it to last.
Also, think about the safety of the child(ren). You want to have peace of mind when making such an investment, that your child(ren) will be safe and there isn’t a risk of the structure not being able to handle their weight.
2. Construction:
This is the most important part. If at all possible, you want to find out how the playset will be put together. You want to make sure that the parts used to join everything together will provide long term support and not fall apart on you.
For example, you don’t want nails to be the main product used to join everything, that’s just shady construction and there’s always the fear of an exposed nail and that can be very dangerous for your kids.
It can be confusing if you don’t know how to determine what parts are associated with solid construction.
Don’t’ be shy to ask someone who does know, and if you don’t know anyone then you can always just walk into a Lowes or a Home Depot and talk to them about the Playsets that they sell to get an idea about the construction and compare it with what you want to purchase or already have.
3. Design:
One last thing that I think fits in this category is the design of the playset. Making something last long also means that you should have long-term use for it. If you buy something for your child(ren) for when they are young, let’s say 3 years old for example, and not think about them playing with it at age 5 then you’re doing yourself and them a disservice.
If this is an investment, then you want to think about your child(ren) playing on it as they grow and the playset still being accessible to young children should you have more. Thus, keeping in mind a design that can grow with your child(ren) is important and will give you the most bang for your buck and that is also a great way to make your Cedar playset last for a long time.
How to Maintain the Playset?
Now that we have looked at how long playsets generally last and what to look for when purchasing a playset, we can make an informed decision when making this big investment.
Viola!
Now you have a playset. So, how do you maintain it to make sure it lasts your child(ren) for a long time? Well, read on for tips and tricks to help your child(ren) enjoy playing with their Cedar playset for years to come.
- Cedarwood has some natural chemicals that prevent it from rotting and helps repel insects (at least that’s one thing – or two – that you won’t have to worry about). However, if you’re anything like me, you’re still checking the playset every year just to be extra sure that there really is no rotting.
- If you do find some structure damage, make sure you replace the wood before letting your kids play on the playset.
- Some types of Cedarwood naturally repel mold and fungus as well, however, if you find that your playset is showing some signs of mold or the color is unnaturally changing, a quick power wash can help clean it up. Just make sure you’re careful with the power setting. Refer to your power washer’s manual to determine the correct setting.
- Make sure you look under the wood, between joints, etc. to make sure there aren’t any harmful critters lurking around.
- Check the joinery (nuts, bolts, brackets, hinges, chains, and etc.) to make sure nothing is loose, broken or too rusty. If they are, then either tighten them or replace them. You may also want to oil any hinges and swings so that they don’t squeak.
- Make sure you wash all the plastics, i.e. swing seats, roof tarps, etc. with soap and water. If soapy water doesn’t clean them well, then go for a stronger cleaner. Check them to make sure there aren’t any cracks and tares. Replace those if damaged.
- Check the playset for any splinters, you don’t want your kid(s) getting hurt. If you find any just use sandpaper to sand down any roughness. To be on the safe side, you may want to give the structure a good sanding every couple of years or so.
- If you decide to stain your playset then, just keep in mind, that you will have to re-stain every year or two depending on how much fading has occurred over the year due to weather conditions. Just keep in mind, staining is different from sealing.
- Sealants are used to protect the wood from water damage. They clear and can either be used on unstained or stained wood. If you’re planning on using both, then use the stain first then the sealant.
One thing I do want to mention here is, the type of wear and tear you see on your playset differs based on the type of climate you live in.
If you live somewhere that’s hot and humid, your playset may see a different kind of wear and tear as opposed to someone living in NY where the climate is cold and dry.
The last thing I do want to remind you of is that if you bought your playset, then always make sure you keep the warranty information handy.
Warranties cover your lumber for a long time, and depending on the kind of damage, the company may send you replacement lumber free of charge. So, make sure to always check with them. If anything, you might have to pay for the shipping charges. Lastly, if you keep up the maintenance and follow the advice above, your playset will last. Don’t let it go unmaintained for a long period of time.