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Many families and cities today are getting more and more interested in playgrounds. Not only do the kids have fun but it’s also a great way to let them run their energy out. Playground sets are typically constructed with a few different materials. The most common are wood, metal, or plastic. This article is going to look at the benefits of each material and help you figure out which is the best for your needs.

Wood

Many popular playground sets are made from wood. There are many benefits to having this material. The first benefit is safety. Wooden equipment is considered one of the safest because wood is one of the most stable materials out there. Since wood is out in the elements, it has adapted to stay strong through many different weather changes, and will usually withstand storms well. Another benefit is that, since it used to be a tree, wooden playground equipment probably has knots that have grown into the wood. With this being the case, it is less likely that your playground equipment will develop cracks or broken pieces.

Another great aspect of this type of material is that it can be pre-stained, which will help prevent playground visitors from getting cuts and splinters while playing. In addition, the equipment itself often has an attractive appearance. A lot of times, wooden playground equipment may be only stained and not painted. This let’s you and your kids enjoy the natural beauty of the wood. Since it came from an actual tree, the knots and different wood patterns often give it a beautifully unique look.

Metal

This type of playground material is used a lot in parks and schools. The first benefit of having metal playground equipment is that it is very durable. Metal is very hard to bend and break so you can be sure that your kids will be safe while playing on it. This is also great if you are in an area that has many different types of weather. Metal is made to withstand and hold up. Metal playground equipment is also great for areas where there will be a lot of kids playing and roughhousing on the set everyday. The other benefit of metal is that you can make it pretty much any color you want. The color and patterns are pretty much endless and, chances are, you will be able to customize it however you want.

Plastic

This type of playground equipment is mainly used as a “starter” at private homes or community parks. The first benefit of plastic sets is that, a lot of times, there is barely any maintenance that needs done to keep them looking good. Usually all you have to do is give it a quick spray with the water hose and it looks brand new. The next benefit is safety. With plastic, you don’t have to worry about splinters or rusty pieces of metal. The final benefit is cost. These types of playgrounds are usually the cheapest available and sometimes they are even themed and modeled to look like kitchens, little houses, or other imaginative sets.

As you can see, there are benefits to each of these materials. The best course of action is usually to consider what your family or community needs are and then pick the playground equipment that bests suits them. The possibilities are endless.

If you would like more information about installing playground sets, contact T.F. Harper & Associates LP, located in Austin, TX.

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