We’re planning an outdoor playset for our children. Obviously, my first thoughts are to use treated lumber, especially since it will be constructed with 4×4 posts sunk into the ground.
Is it worth considering alternatives to treated lumber? Would something like cedar or black locust work well? Eventually the structure will be painted–but my concern is the portions that are under ground.
One reason I’d rather not use pt is because of the painting–I don’t want to have to wait the recommended 1 year before painting it.
Replies
A big problem with treated lumber for playgrounds is that the surface is badly mangled by the treating process. It is ugly to look at, but worse it is ugly to rub your hand over, and it is very easy to get splinters. Non-treated wood would be considerably better.
In my mind, there's also a lingering doubt about the treatment chemicals. The new ACQ stuff is supposed to be not toxic for humans, but that's what they said about the old stuff before they took it off the market because it might be dangerous.
Two suggestions:
1) Use pressure-treat where wood goes into the ground, but sheath it aboveground with untreated 1x6 so nobody can touch it. Use untreated lumber for everything else.
or
2) Use Simpson-style post bases at the bottoms of your posts to fasten them to concrete footings. No wood touches ground, so you can use untreated throughout.
Edited 7/28/2004 1:01 pm ET by JAMIE_BUXTON
2) Use Simpson-style post bases at the bottoms of your posts to fasten them to concrete footings. No wood touches ground, so you can use untreated throughout
That's my preference, too. The recommendation for public play areas is to use about 2" of cover material over the top of the concrete, too. Google "playground recommendation" for more.
This is what seems to be the "preferred" material type:
http://www.wicksteed.co.uk/safety_surfacing/safety_bark.htm
But this is interesting, too:
http://www.wicksteed.co.uk/safety_surfacing/safety_grass.htmOccupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
You don't need to wait a year to paint PT lumber. The lumber is dried before treating and then treated.
It typically takes a week or 2 to dry out, depending on your climate.
But there is nothing wrong with using PT for the uprights and then building everything else from something else.
Would something like cedar or black locust work well?
All cedars are not created equal. What grows in Va would be excellent. 50 yr old fence posts still perfectly sound. Black locust is also great, if you can find it in lumber. I've painted neither. I have painted black walnut, which is an excellent exterior wood, and it paints very well if you can find an inexpensive source.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!