i'm thinking about building a wooden swing set for my grandkids (in my
backyard) but not sure what kind of wood would be best to use, any
suggestions would be appreciate.

"FH" wrote in message
. ..
i'm thinking about building a wooden swing set for my grandkids (in my
backyard) but not sure what kind of wood would be best to use, any
suggestions would be appreciate.

Cheapest is pressure treated, but there are health concerns if there is
going to be body contact like tables, chairs. Swing set structure would not
have that problem. Cedar is next on the list. Mahogany and Ipe would be
strong and long lasting, but much more costly.

if i use cedar, what kind of protection should i put on it (from the rain
and direct sun light)?

"FH" wrote in message
...
if i use cedar, what kind of protection should i put on it (from the rain
and direct sun light)?

None is really needed, but thee are oils that will help keep it from turning
gray in the sun, such as Penofin. The UV inhibitors in Penofin help keep the
color as well as the oils preserving the wood. Cedar has natural defenses
against the weather too.

None is really needed, but thee are oils that will help keep it from
turning gray in the sun, such as Penofin. The UV inhibitors in Penofin
help keep the color as well as the oils preserving the wood. Cedar has
natural defenses against the weather too.


thank you

On Sat, 26 May 2007 18:43:26 GMT, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"FH" wrote in message
. ..
i'm thinking about building a wooden swing set for my grandkids (in my
backyard) but not sure what kind of wood would be best to use, any
suggestions would be appreciate.

Cheapest is pressure treated, but there are health concerns if there is
going to be body contact like tables, chairs. Swing set structure would not
have that problem. Cedar is next on the list. Mahogany and Ipe would be
strong and long lasting, but much more costly.

What about teak and redwood?

But seriously, the more important question is, what climate? In the
Boise, ID desert a swingset made of normal construction-grade douglas
fir / hemlock and treated every few years with deck stain is going to
last many, many years. (I prefer to use little skids of composite deck
boards under the legs, but my brother's swingset used redwood legs and
no skids, holding up great.)

Try the same approach out on hilton head island, and the thing will be
moss covered in a year and rotted away in five.

sdb

--
What's seen on your screen? http://pcscreenwatch.com
sdbuse1 on mailhost bigfoot.com

i'm in northern California

On Sat, 26 May 2007 22:05:55 +0000, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

"FH" wrote in message
...
if i use cedar, what kind of protection should i put on it (from the rain
and direct sun light)?

None is really needed, but thee are oils that will help keep it from turning
gray in the sun, such as Penofin. The UV inhibitors in Penofin help keep the
color as well as the oils preserving the wood. Cedar has natural defenses
against the weather too.

I built with cedar, but I can not seem to find the Penofin to put on it...
No matter how I search. Is this a brand name or an actual oil? I did
see some once, but i could not tell if it was safe for kids or not.


If you use treated wood, I think you have to paint over it before its safe
for kids to be on, and even then I am not entirely sure.

On May 26, 2:31 pm, "FH" wrote:
i'm thinking about building a wooden swing set for my grandkids (in my
backyard) but not sure what kind of wood would be best to use, any
suggestions would be appreciate.

You may also want to consider the manufactured wood they use for
decking. I rebuilt a garden chair, and the stuff will last forever.
It's grey in color, simulating already weathered cedar. Also, no
splinters.

If you do go with cedar, I suggest leaving it natural, otherwise you
just rope yourself into yearly maintenance.