Why Redwood Stands Out as the Best Choice in Swing Sets

Everyone has their own reasons for choosing a particular wood for their swing set. Some buy pine because of budget restrictions, others select cedar for its low maintenance and buyers of redwood may do so just to match their deck. All those woods are available to you as well, but before you decide there are a few facts you should know about redwood that makes it the better choice.

By knowing more about the qualities of redwood, you're better able to understand why it's such a popular choice for so many and what sets it apart as the best choice for a wooden swing set. You also need to be aware that there are differences in redwood quality and if you know what they are, you'll know if you're getting what you're paying for.

Although redwood is available in several different grades, a commonality between them is the pink/red color that ages to gray over time. A widely used grade of redwood is Con-Heart, which means it's a construction grade wood that comes from the heart of the redwood tree.

Only the innermost part of the tree contains wood that has a natural resistance to bugs and decay. If redwood comes from the outside of the tree, it must have a coat of stain applied every year, otherwise it's susceptible to rotting. If your swing set is composed of 100% Con-Heart redwood, there's no need to stain or sand it. Watch for companies that try to sell you redwood that isn't from the inside portion of the redwood tree, those swing sets will need annual maintenance.

If there are any white parts in the redwood, it's called sapwood and it has virtually no resistance to rotting or insects. Again, you're protected with Con-Heart Redwood, because it contains no sapwood. Heart redwood has a natural resistance to insects and decay that goes all the way through the wood, not only the surface. This is important because it means the exposed ends and edges created from sawing or nailing are just as resistant as the outside surface of the wood.

All woods have a natural response to moisture, and even redwood will swell a bit when it gets wet and shrink slightly if it gets very dry, but it does so to a much lesser degree than other woods. Known for its stability, redwood is able to hold its shape with far fewer incidences of cracks, splits, or warped boards or beams.

Swing sets made with redwood are incredibly durable, in part due to their natural ability to ward off disease and decay. This means your redwood swing set will look better than one made with a different wood, even 20 years later.

When shopping for a redwood swing set, be sure to ask enough questions or read enough fine print to know that if you're paying for redwood, you're getting 100% redwood. Many companies use a mixture of woods, including redwood, but still refer to their product as 'redwood construction'. Look and listen for words that indicate other woods have also been used, including Chinese fir and Red Cedar.

For the ultimate benefits of redwood, find out if Con-Heart grade redwood was used for all pieces of the swing set. This way you're assured of getting all the natural protection redwood has to offer, not just in the beams and larger pieces, but throughout the entire swing set.

About the Author

About the author: Alex Petigraw is an expert on Children's Play Equipment. Get more information on Swing SetsFree guide on choosing the right Swing Set

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