Playsets offer endless opportunities for open-ended play and give your kids an outlet for all of that energy, but they are also a big investment. Before you select a playset for your backyard, you might be wondering…
How long do playsets last? Playsets can last anywhere from a few years to a lifetime depending on the quality of the manufacturer, the materials used, and how much maintenance you are willing to dedicate to upkeep. Playset accessories tend to wear out well before the structure.
There are many factors that go into how long a playset will last. Keep reading to find out how to make the most out of your investment in a playset.
Related: What Kind of Wood to Use For a Playset
The Life of a Playset and Quality
Most playsets will still be standing and useful long after your children outgrow it. The sweet spot for playing on a playset is between ages 5 and 12, with some playsets catering to a younger crowd and some catering to those much older.
A playset that lasts even just ten years would likely be lasting long enough for your family to begin to outgrow it.
The most long-lasting playsets are made by quality manufacturers who don’t cut corners or skimp on materials. A well-constructed playset of any material will last longer than a poorly made one.
Below I will outline some things you can look for to spot a high-quality playset.
Warranty
One way of determining whether a playset is well made is by checking on the manufacturer’s warranty. Be sure to read the terms as they can sometimes be misleading.
Many quality manufacturers will offer a lifetime warranty on the wood or structure of the playset and a 1-5 year warranty on the accessories like swing seats, windows, and tarps.
If a manufacturer only offers a five-year warranty on the structure of the playset, they are not showing that they have much confidence in their product. They are as good as saying that their playset will not hold up much longer than that.
Joints
The type of joint used to connect two pieces of wood can indicate the overall quality of the construction. Playsets that are not as well constructed will use butt and lap joints, while a better-constructed playset will make use of mortise and tenon joints.
Screw vs Bolts
Better constructed playsets will use bolts over screws as bolts have greater holding strength. Recessed hardware is also a good indicator that a manufacturer pays special attention to details and safety, and who wouldn’t want a manufacturer to be looking out for the safety of their children?
Swing Beam
One place you definitely don’t want a manufacturer to skimp is on the swing beam responsible for holding up a row of children. Ideally, the swing beam should be one solid 4’x6’ beam, not a set of smaller boards glued together.
Playset Materials and Durability
Besides the quality of the manufacturer, the quality of the material used to construct the playset makes a huge difference to how long it lasts.
Playsets are made from a variety of materials including:
- Redwood
- Cedar
- Pressure treated wood
- Vinyl coated wood
- Metal
- Plastic
Most playsets are made up of a combination of these materials. Metal for the bolts, plastic for accessories, and usually some sort of wood or metal for the structure.
Cedar
A cedar playset has a pleasing natural look, but it does not make for the longest lasting playset. Cedar is used in playsets because it is naturally resistant to rot and insects, but it must be sealed yearly in order to prolong its life. Sometimes a warranty will only cover playset wood if it has been sealed within six months of being put up and yearly thereafter.
Cedar playsets that are carefully maintained can last up to 20 years, but probably not longer than that (source).
Chinese Fir or Chinese Cedar
This wood, grown in China, is not actually fir or cedar. It is cypress. Like cedar, it is resistant to decay and insects (source). Chinese cedar is less expensive than other materials because the trees do not take as long to reach maturity. It requires the same maintenance as cedar.
The quality of Chinese cedar over North America varieties of cedar is unknown as it is a relatively new material used in playsets. Many North American producers of cedar would steer you away from Chinese cedar, but there is no reason, as of yet, to think the Chinese cedar is unsuitable for playsets.
Redwood
Redwood has long been used to construct high-end playsets for its pleasant natural look and its strength. It is decay and insect resistant, and it resists warping and cupping. Many playsets constructed of redwood have lifetime warranties on all wooden parts, which speaks to their durability.
Redwood, especially in colder climates, requires sealing to prolong its life.
Pressure Treated Wood
Pressure treated wood was once a favorite for playsets, but it has been discovered that the chemicals used to treat the wood are dangerous. In recent years, pressure treated wood has been treated with less dangerous chemicals, but some people prefer to avoid it.
Playsets constructed from pressure treated wood can last over 20 years with maintenance (source).
Vinyl Coated Wood
Playsets made of vinyl coated wood have a vinyl coating around a wooden core. These playsets can sometimes be slightly less expensive has the wood used in the core can be cheaper because it is coated in the protective vinyl.
The main disadvantage of this wood is that rot and decay can be difficult to spot as the vinyl may look just fine while the wood inside is rotting away.
Because the wood of these playsets is protected from decay and insects by the vinyl coating, they can last over 20 years with very little maintenance (source).
Metal
Generalizations about metal playsets cannot be made. High-quality metal playsets can last a lifetime, but there are plenty of low-quality ones on the market that are prone to rust and rapid deterioration.
Plastic
Plastic playsets are often made for toddlers and younger children. They are generally very durable. Plastic will not fall prey to rot or damage from insects. If well cared for, you could save it for the grandchildren.
Durability of Playset Accessories
The playset accessories like the swings, canopies, rope ladders, and tic tac toe spinners, all wear down more rapidly than the larger structure. These parts are often covered under 1-5 year warranties.
This is especially true if you live in an area with cold winters. It is recommended that you take off any removable accessories before cold weather to protect them.
Luckily, even if you are no longer covered under your warranty, replacing worn out accessories is nowhere near as expensive as replacing the structure.
A swing seat can cost less than $40 (source). Any canopies on the playset are especially prone to becoming damaged in storms. The cost to replace can be as little as $22 (source).
Playset Maintenance
Choosing a high-quality playset will go a long way toward ensuring that it lasts a long time, but even the best quality playset will deteriorate if it is not cared for.
There are several steps you can take to keep your playset in good condition.
- Inspect the playset yearly for damage.
- Check for splinters that need sanding.
- Check for rot and mold.
- Check for any signs of insect nests or other damage caused by insects.
- Clean the playset yearly using soap and water or a pressure washer.
- If your playset is wood, it will need to be sealed yearly.
Be sure none of the hardware needs to be tightened.