You may have noticed that the swing sets of metal that have been the standard in playgrounds for so many years are slowly being superseded by the wooden swing set. The process is moving in a very gradual way because after all, the sturdy play sets of metal tend to last a long time, and have stood up to a lot of wear and tear over time. But improvements can always be made, and in more recent years, designers’ thoughts have turned toward keeping this playground equipment both durable and safe.

As outdoor swing sets go, the metal ones have always been durable, while the newer wooden sets require very specific types of maintenance to make them last. Nor have metal sets had much problem with splinters, except occasionally with the original wooden seats on the swings. But unless a metal set is made of galvanized steel that won’t rust, even this sturdy setup will deteriorate over time. And in many ways there is more risk of injury with metal. A wooden swing set may be made of more perishable materials, but it can still be safer in some cases than the metal version.

In colder climates, for example, there has always been the risk of a child’s skin becoming frozen to the metal on the older play sets. And during a hot summer, there’s the reverse problem of a child being burned by the over-heated metal. On the other hand, a swing set made of wood, while it also cools down and heats up, doesn’t hit nearly the temperature extremes as metal does. Yes, if not properly maintained, wood can be subject to rotting; however, if these sets are made of pressure treated lumber, then this decay is much less likely.

It may seem a bit shallow to prefer a wooden swing set simply for esthetic reasons, but the look of the set can also be a factor in what is chosen. Since this play structure will be a prominent feature of the back yard, it’s an advantage that the wood can be stained to match other elements of yard furniture, like a picnic or patio table and chairs, or even the fence. With the multitude of accessories and add-ons that are available, the owner can make their wood swing set into not just a play area for the kids, but a showpiece of creativity.

Beth Kaminski is a leading expert in the treating panic disorder and has been publishing lots of information on the best anxiety attack medication for years now.

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