Climbing Frames UK often get asked why the majority of our playsets are made from cedar wood when when of our competitors use pine wood.

The most frequently asked question – Is cedar wood better than treated pine wood?

The answer: Yes, cedar is better to use for durability and longer lasting. Pine is soft, whether treated or not, and usually much cheaper to purchase. In the long run cedar is the better choice.

But although cedar is better, it also depends on what you need it for… If your doing craft and its not going to be weathered or battered around then pine is better. Treated pine is good for craft work as it is easier to shape, and bend then cedar. However, climbing frames are going to be weathered becasue they’re going to be in your garden for years, and battered becasue they’ll be well used by children, making cedar the best choice.

Cedar is commonly used if you want to make something that last longer and are not concerned about the additional cost. The knot structure is small, sound and tight and with natural oils found in the lumber, cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insect destruction. This makes it a perfect product for both interior and exterior applications, and particularly play equipment. The tight, small knot structure means cracks are small and splinters are rare.

In comparison, natural pine is a light-colored softwood with straight grain. It is very cheap and harvested mainly from forests in eastern Europe but also from all around the world. There are two types of pine used for outdoor products; pressure treated and untreated. Untreated pine has low resistance to the elements and is less durable than pressure treated pine and a water or oil based sealer should be applied to untreated pine every year. Pressure treated pine needs no sealer but can be painted or stained if desired. Either type of pine can be cleaned with soap and water. Mildew will need removing with a standard bathroom cleaner intermittently. Pressure treated pine is incredibly suseptible to cracks and splinters. This is expected on rustic style round beam swings and of ofter part of the reason people buy, becasue they are looking for a rustic, weathered swingset. This is often a surprise on more american style sawn (square cut) climbing frames and playsets.

If properly taken care of, cedar or pressure treated pine can last up to 20 years, but all will require maintinence, care and treatment. Wood is a natural product so cracks and splits are inevitable as the mositure content of the wood changes. We strongly advise making an educated choice when picking your climbing frame or swing to ensure you find something suitable for you, your children and garden.

Cedar looks nicer, cracks less and splinters less, so we believe cedar is much more suitable than pine for structures where children will be climbing. Pine is good for rustic weathered appearance and is great for cheap roundwood swingsets.

We at Climbing Frames UK hope this article is useful in your hunt for a suitable climbing frame or swingset.

Woodbridge Wooden Playcentre
Watch your child’s imagination thrive on the Selwood Woodbridge. This system, new to our 2008 range has many accessories, which will allow your children to make the most out of this system.

The top level enclosed clubhouse makes a start for any child’s outdoor adventures and acts as a base for the play system. With a wooden roof, it ensures fun is had throughout all weathers, not just the summer months. Below, the lower decking area and sandpit make sure no space is wasted. Not only this, the lower deck bench allows a place for your children to enjoy a break from all the fun.

The rockwall ladder combination allows access for both the less and most confident of climbers, and at the top you’ll find a tower, which will no doubt be used as a look out post for your children’s games. Go through the tunnel to enter the clubhouse. Surrounding the clubhouse is more deck space, to allow more space for your children’s imaginations to grow.

For the little ones, use the flat stepladder to go up to the clubhouse and join in the fun and games with the older children.

Not only can you come down from the clubhouse using the rockwall ladder, but try zooming down the 10’ fast track deep sided slide! The flat stepladder and slide can be alternated in position, so if your short on length space, just change the position of the slide to fit your garden!

Underneath the enclosed tunnel are two belt swings and a trapeze bar, making sure that all space within the Woodbridge is used wisely to allow your children to gain the most out of their play experience.

The fun doesn’t stop there, choose from our wide range of accessories to turn your climbing frame into a pirate ship, submarine, playhouse, or even a racing car! If you have younger ones, baby, infant and toddler swing seats are also available as optional extras.

The Woodbridge playset is ideal for any young child looking for more adventure in their back garden! With many different features, the Woodbridge is perfect for allowing your child’s imagination bloom in your own back garden.

Unfortunately this item is now discontinued. To view the current products please follow the link – Climbing Frames
To add you own review of this or another Climbing Frames UK playset please email info@climbingframesuk.com.

Finally we have a date…………………..

THE CLIMBING FRAMES UK ANNUAL EX-DISPLAY SALE STARTS FRIDAY

Climbing Frames UK launch their annual EX-Display Sale.

We have listed all available units with photographs onto the Climbing Frames UK Website.

The Link to our special offers – “Climbing Frames UK Special Offers”

You can add extra accessories to any of these systems to match you perfect requirements. We have added guide prices and as you will see they are being offered at massive discounts from list prices. We have no more systems that will be sold as ex Display this year. So please do not miss your chance.

If you wish to view the system of your choice before offering, please contact either the Brentwood or Suffolk Sites to make an appointment.

Should you require any further detail please contact Andy on 07811 250090 or 01284 852002