Product FAQ
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What type of wood is used in Architectural playsets? Architectural playsets, like all CedarWorks outdoor playsets, are made exclusively from Northern White Cedar. This is the only wood species that meets our discriminating requirements for strength, long life, and no splinters without added chemicals. How long does Northern White Cedar last? According to the National Forest Service, Northern White Cedar is classified as "highly decay resistant" and will last up to 20 years untreated. This is longer than any other natural wood species used in playsets. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page. Does Northern White Cedar need to be stained? No. Visit our Better Cedar and Cedar in CedarWorks pages for more information Will Northern White Cedar splinter? No. Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is naturally splinter free. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page. How does Northern White Cedar compare to other wood species used in playsets? Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is long lasting and splinter-free without chemical treatments, paints or stains. All other wood species used in playsets (including redwood, cypress, other species of cedar, and inexpensive pseudo-cedars imported from overseas) require some form of chemical treatment to increase longevity, prevent splinters, and/or color match various species used in the same playset. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page. How long will it take to assemble an Architectural playset? The average Architectural playset should take approximately one full day to assemble with two adults using common household tools. Major components such as fences, platforms, roof panels, ramps, climbing walls and the like arrive pre-assembled to expedite assembly. In addition, CedarWorks provides detailed assembly instructions which, if reviewed in advance, can significantly reduce assembly time. Can I hire someone to assemble my Architectural playset? Yes. Just ask and we can provide the name of an experienced playset assembly service provider near you.(U.S. only excluding Alaska) Can I customize an Architectural playset? Yes. In fact, every Architectural playset we sell is custom-configured. While many playsets are similar to the examples on our website, others are completely unique configurations designed to fit the exact needs and wishes of a specific family. What are the weight limits for an Architectural playset? Architectural playsets are designed for the whole family. That means parents, too. So, we have designed all of our Architectural products to support adult weights. What type of ground surface should I use? Check out Preparing your yard for your swingset in Swing Sets 101 for a list of different types of ground surfacing and what might work for your yard. How much space do I need for an Architectural playset? Please visit Space requirements in Swing Sets 101 for a great explanation of how much space you will need around your set, or call one of our Design Experts at (800) 462-3327 to discuss your questions about space and fit for your yard. How long will it take to receive my Architectural playset? Please see the "Delivery" section on our Service and Support page for information on shipping and delivery times. -
What type of wood is used in Classic playsets? Classic playsets, like all CedarWorks outdoor playsets, are made exclusively from Northern White Cedar. This is the only wood species that meets our discriminating requirements for strength, long life, and no splinters without added chemicals. How long does Northern White Cedar last? According to the National Forest Service, Northern White Cedar is classified as "highly decay resistant" and will last up to 20 years untreated. This is longer than any other natural wood species used in playsets. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page. Does Northern White Cedar need to be stained? No. Visit our Better Cedar and Cedar in CedarWorks pages for more information Will Northern White Cedar splinter? No. Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is naturally splinter free. For more information, visit ourBetter Cedar page. What does it mean if the wood is “checked” or has a crack in it? Every 4x4, 4x6, and round log in a CedarWorks playset has the heartwood of a tree at its center, and that's the source of its remarkable strength. The sapwood around the heartwood dries more quickly than the heartwood and sometimes undergoes a process called "checking". This does not affect the structural integrity of your playset. For more information, see our"The Process of Checking" page. How does Northern White Cedar compare to other wood species used in playsets? Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is long lasting and splinter-free without chemical treatments, paints or stains. All other wood species used in playsets (including redwood, cypress, other species of cedar, and inexpensive pseudo-cedars imported from overseas) require some form of chemical treatment to increase longevity, prevent splinters, and/or color match various species used in the same playset. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page. How long will it take to assemble a Classic playset? The average Classic playset should take approximately one full day to assemble with two adults using common household tools. Major accessories such as fences, platforms, roof panels, ramps, climbing walls and the like arrive pre-assembled to expedite assembly. Can I hire someone to assemble my Classic playset? Yes. Just ask and we can provide the name of an experienced playset assembly service provider near you.(U.S. only excluding Alaska) Can I customize a Classic playset? Yes. In fact, every Classic playset we sell is custom configured. While many playsets are similar to the examples on our website, others are completely unique configurations designed to fit the exact needs and wishes of a specific family. Can I add accessories from CedarWorks Architectural playsets to a Classic playset? In general, no. There are, however, a very limited selection of Architectural items that can be attached to a Classic playset. Please call one of our Design Experts at (800) 462-3327 for information about specific accessories. What are the weight limits for a Classic playset? Classic playsets are designed for the whole family. That means parents, too. So, we have designed all of our Classic products to support adult weights. What type of ground surface should I use? Check out Preparing your yard for your swingset in Swing Sets 101 for a list of different types of ground surfacing and what might work for your yard. How much space do I need for a Classic playset? Please visit Space requirements in Swing Sets 101 for a great explanation of how much space you will need around your set, or call one of our Design Experts at (800) 462-3327 to discuss your questions about space and fit for your yard. How long will it take to receive my Classic playset? Please see the "Delivery" section on our Service and Support page for information on shipping and delivery times. -
What type of wood is used in Rustic playsets? Rustic playsets, like all CedarWorks outdoor playsets, are made exclusively from Northern White Cedar. This is the only wood species that meets our discriminating requirements for strength, long life, and no splinters without added chemicals. How long does Northern White Cedar last? According to the National Forest Service, Northern White Cedar is classified as "highly decay resistant" and will last up to 20 years untreated. This is longer than any other natural wood species used in playsets. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page. Does Northern White Cedar need to be stained? No. Visit our Better Cedar and Cedar in CedarWorks pages for more information Will Northern White Cedar splinter? No. Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is naturally splinter-free. For more information, visit ourBetter Cedar page. What does it mean if the wood is "checked" or has a crack in it? Every 4x4, 4x6, and round log in a CedarWorks playset has the heartwood of a tree at its center, and that's the source of its remarkable strength. The sapwood around the heartwood dries more quickly than the heartwood and sometimes undergoes a process called "checking". This does not affect the structural integrity of your playset. For more information, see ourThe Process of Checking page. How does Northern White Cedar compare to other wood species used in playsets? Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is long lasting and splinter-free without chemical treatments, paints or stains. All other wood species used in playsets (including redwood, cypress, other species of cedar, and inexpensive pseudo-cedars imported from overseas) require some form of chemical treatment to increase longevity, prevent splinters, and/or color match various species used in the same playset. For more information, visit our Better Cedar How long will it take to assemble a Rustic playset? Depending on the model, it should take anywhere from a few hours to a full day for two adults with common household tools. This is less than half the time required for similar sized playsets sold at big box stores. That's because we pre-assemble the major components such as fences, platforms, roofs, ramps, climbing walls and the like while the big box products come in individual boards which need to be installed one at a time. Can I hire someone to assemble my Rustic playset? Yes. Just ask and we can provide the name of an experienced playset assembly service provider near you. (U.S. only excluding Alaska) Or, if you have a favorite handyman, a Rustic playset assembly would be a simple project. Can I customize a Rustic playset? Yes. In fact, every Rustic playset we sell is custom configured. While many playsets are similar to the examples on our website, others are completely unique configurations designed to fit the exact needs and wishes of a specific family. Can I add accessories from CedarWorks Classic or Architectural playsets to a Rustic? In general, no. You can, however, add any of the standard two rope swings from the Classic or Architectural line. These include the kid swing, poly swing, or sling swing. If you have questions please feel free to call one of our Design Experts and they would be happy to assist. What are the weight limits for a Rustic playset? The swing area weight limits are 200 lbs. for a single user and a 320 lb. maximum load for all three swing positions when used simultaneously. The play deck weight limit is 250 lbs. for a single user and 1,000 lbs maximum total load. How does Rustic compare to competing products from big box stores? We like to say that Rustic beats the competition fair and not-so-square. Here's why:
- Modular design: Rustic Playsets use a modular design that allows them to be custom configured, so you can choose or design just about any configuration you want to get the perfect playset for your yard and your family.
- Better wood: 100% Splinter-free, chemical-free, long-lasting Northern White Cedar. No pseudo-cedar imported from overseas and no short-lived species such as pine, spruce, fir, or hemlock.
- Bigger wood: Rustic's round wood vertical posts are larger than competitors 4x4's, and the horizontal rails are larger than their 2x4's.
- Mortise-and-tenon construction: The wood bears the weight, not the fasteners, so you get a stronger, more durable structure.
- Easy to assemble: No sawing, no drilling, and no measuring. Rustic's pre-assembled components mean 50% fewer parts than the big box playsets, and less than half the time to assemble.
- Better Warranty: Longer than most big box playsets with no pro-rating and no run-arounds.
- Customer service experts: CedarWorks customer service experts are just a phone call away.
- Made here: All Rustic wood parts are made by us here in Maine or at select family owned saw mills in Maine and Canada.
What type of ground surface should I use? Check out Preparing your yard for your swingset in Swing Sets 101 for a list of different types of ground surfacing and what might work for your yard. How much space do I need for a Rustic playset? Please visit Space requirements in Swing Sets 101 for a great explanation of how much space you will need around your set, or call one of our Design Experts at (800) 462-3327 to discuss your questions about space and fit for your yard. How long will it take to receive my Rustic playset? Please see the "Delivery" section on our Service and Support page for information on shipping and delivery times. -
Can I customize an indoor playset? Yes. In fact, every indoor playset we sell is custom configured. While many of the playsets that we sell are similar to the examples on our website, others are completely unique configurations designed to fit the exact needs and wishes of a specific family. Can I reconfigure or add on to my indoor playset over time? Yes. Our indoor play system is modular so you can add on or change things around as best fits your family over time. How high do my ceilings need to be for an indoor playset? You will need at least 3 feet above the playdeck surface to readily assemble the playset. Thus, a Playdeck 30 could be installed where the ceiling is only 5 feet 6 inches. Similarly, a Playdeck 60 could be installed where the ceiling is only 8 feet. Please realize, however, that headroom for a child may be a more important factor depending on the age/size of your children. How much space should there be around an indoor playset? There are no published standards for indoor playsets, so the following is a composite of information for outdoor playsets and common sense:
- If the playset is against a wall, it should be either less than 3.5 inches, or more than 9 inches, from the wall. Spaces between 3.5 and 9 inches wide are considered potential head and neck entrapments.
- The slides are fast, so try to allow at least 3-4 feet at the end of our Playdeck 30 slides, and 4-6 feet at the end of our Playdeck 45 slides.
- As for the rest of the playset, it depends on the deck height and accessory. For our lowest decks and accessories with the most gentle exit, 2 feet should be sufficient. For our highest decks, 4 feet is recommended when there is no fence. Of course, some judgment should be applied since, for example, having a brick wall within the safety zone is different than having a bean bag chair the same distance away.
What are CedarWorks indoor playsets made from? The vertical posts and horizontal arched pieces are made from White Ash, a hardwood renowned for its shock resistance and strength as well as its use in Major League Baseball bats.
The panels are made from a multi-ply wood laminate commonly referred to as Baltic Birch. With 40% more layers than traditional plywoods, this material is not only stronger, it is also void-free so that the edges of the cutouts remain smooth and attractive.
What is the age range for indoor playsets? Most children can begin to navigate CedarWorks indoor playsets as early as 12 months by crawling in and out of nook panels or up and down ramps. By 2 years old, most children can enjoy the majority of our indoor accessories. And by 4 years old, the entire system (with the exception of monkey bars and some vertical accessories) is appropriate. To make it more challenging for those 5 or older, higher playdecks and vertical walls and ladders are suitable. And, when it comes to hanging out in a hidden nook, there is no age limit (though it can get a bit challenging for us adults due to our size!). What is the weight limit for indoor playsets? CedarWorks indoor playsets are designed to hold adult weights. In fact, we were unable to break the product during weight testing. While there is certainly some weight that cannot be supported, we know from experience that an adult will not be able to fit into the playset long before that weight limit is reached. Can an adult use the slide? As long as the slide is being used for sliding down, then an adult can use the slide. Can indoor playsets be used in non-residential settings? CedarWorks has a dedicated commercial Indoor Play line that is compliant with ADA, ASTM and CPSC safety standards. These indoor playsets are specifically designed for nonresidential settings such as child care centers, schools, museums, resorts, pay to play centers, and the like. If you are looking for a playset for a non-residential setting, please visit theCommercial Indoor page of this website. Do you offer custom cut-outs for the panels? Not at this time. Whereas we seek to expand the range of design options available over time, we do not have a custom option. Please see our indoor accessories page for the full range of options we currently offer. Can the playsets be custom painted? Our indoor playsets and beds are only available in natural posts and panels with colored accent pieces. How long will an indoor playset last? Like any well-crafted piece of furniture, a CedarWorks indoor playset should last a very, very long time. In fact, your only worry might be deciding what to do with it once your kids are in college. Does an indoor playset need to be refinished? Other than the inevitable nicks and scratches that may appear anywhere on the playset over time, the only surfaces that might require refinishing are the decks themselves due to high traffic. With this in mind, we finished both sides of the deck panels and made them easy to flip over in case the top side gets a bit worn looking. How long will it take to receive my indoor playset? Please see the "Delivery" section on ourService and Support page for information on shipping and delivery times. How long will it take to assemble an indoor playset? The average indoor playset should take approximately one half day to assemble with two adults using common household tools. Larger sets will take more time. CedarWorks provides customized assembly instructions which, when reviewed in advance, can significantly reduce assembly time. Can I hire someone to assemble my indoor playset? Yes. CedarWorks can provide the name of an installer in most areas of the United States. How are indoor playsets and beds stained and finished? Our indoor playsets and playhouses will arrive finished and do not require staining. CedarWorks clear stain finish is a high quality, water reducible, low-VOC self-sealer that contains a UV absorber to reduce natural wood discoloration due to sunlight. All materials meet CARB standards and are approved for furniture use in all fifty states.
