Swing Sets – TOO Many Choices

Some of There are so many different manufacturers, that it’s hard to know which one to buy. My prior post outlines how you want to evaluate swing sets based on total cost (site prep + install labor + product), I also need to offer some advice on manufacturers for my customers … and please understand, this is based on running My Handyman for 6 years and dealing with parents who needed help installing these playsets, but generally weren’t prepared fto pay equal/more to install the swing set just purchased.

Kids Love Swings

Recommendations for buying a swing set:

• Buy a brand that has existed for 10+ years. We found our last problem install disappeared the next year, i.e. the company and brand could not be found (Chinese company, sold through box stores).
• Buy a product that comes with a warranty for the length of time you expect to use your swing set.
• Buy a brand product direct from the manufacturer, or an authorized dealer where you can go for help if and when there are problems. It’s not clear who you turn to 3 years after buying from a box store, which may no longer carry that brand so it will be difficult to get replacement parts.

For standard wooden swing sets, here are the mid range manufacturers that I’ve seen for years on the web although I haven’t specifically verified 10+ or longer in existence.

• www.kidscreations.com – no local dealerships but most of the parts come pre-assembled, i.e. stairs, handrails, floors, etc … this is a swing set My Handyman would be happy to install
  
• www.rainbowplay.com
  • Granite State Rainbow, 3612 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth … 431-3777
  • Granite State Rainbow,Peterborough … 924-7144
• www.creativeplaythings.com
  • Leisure Time Warehouse, 75 Lafayette Rd, Hampton … 926-2900

Some parents might prefer the white cedar but feel that Cedar Works is too expensive (that’s what we had for our kids in the ’80s). There appear to be some newer companies offering similar products like Triumph Play Systems, so I’d recommend researching these as the white cedar doesn’t splinter and wears exceedingly well.