It used to be that metal swing sets were the standard for kids' play areas, both on the playground and in the backyard, but the wooden swing set seems almost to have taken over the field in recent years. It's not that metal sets have become extinct; they're still available too. But it's the wooden versions of these activity centers that you now see most often, especially in playgrounds. One might wonder why this change occurred, and what the advantages might be that have prompted the change. The wooden swing set appears to have taken over the field in recent years, when it comes to home play equipment, and it's rapidly gaining ground at playgrounds as well. The metal playground sets that inhabited public spaces for so many decades are still there, of course, but there are several reasons why these outdoor swing sets are now being pushed aside. Not surprisingly, many of the concerns revolve around making outdoor play equipment as safe as possible.<br /><br />A wooden swing set is more attractive in many ways because it eliminates the hard, unyielding surfaces that can potentially bring injury in metal sets. It's true that the versions of wood need to be produced and maintained in very specific ways, while a galvanized steel swing set won't rust, and might last for decades. But with the concern about safety in both the backyard swing set and its playground counterpart, most manufacturers have now moved to wood as their primary material.<br /><br />In colder climates, for example, there has always been the risk of a child's skin becoming frozen to the metal on the older play sets. And during a hot summer, there's the reverse problem of a child being burned by the over-heated metal. On the other hand, a swing set made of wood, while it also cools down and heats up, doesn't hit nearly the temperature extremes as metal does. Yes, if not properly maintained, wood can be subject to rotting; however, if these sets are made of pressure treated lumber, then this decay is much less likely.<br /><br />A wooden swing set can also have extras added to it more easily than a metal set can. With different types of wood staining, you can even match it to the rest of your outdoor decor, like the fence, patio chairs, picnic table, and so on. It will blend more easily into a natural setting, while simultaneously being a custom swing set with a certain style that belongs to you. Metal swing sets have their own advantages, and there are pros and cons to both metal and wood as a choice. But for now, the tide of opinion seems to have landed squarely on the side of the wooden sets.<br /><br />As a leading expert in the field of anxiety disorders and panic attacks, Beth Kaminski is always on the lookout for how to <a href="http://www.anxietydisordercure.com" target='_blank'>anxiety therapy</a>. Visit her site for more information on her <a href="http://www.anxietydisordercure.com/articlesdirectory/" target='_blank'>anxiety treatment center</a> and much more.
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