Outdoor Playsets FAQs

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.

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.

No. Visit our Better Cedar and Cedar in CedarWorks pages for more information

No. Northern White Cedar is the only wood used in playsets that is naturally splinter free. For more information, visit our Better Cedar page.

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.

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.

The average CedarWorks outdoor 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.

Yes. Just ask and we can provide the name of an experienced playset assembly service provider near you. (U.S. only excluding Alaska)

Yes. In fact, every 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.

In general, no. There are, however, a very limited selection of items that can be used outside of their particular product line. Please call one of our Design Experts at (800) 462-3327 for information about specific accessories.

Classic and Architectural playsets are designed for the whole family. That means parents, too, so we have designed all of our Classic and Architectural products to support adult weights. Weight limits on each swing may vary per the manufacturer. For Rustic playsets, the swing area weight limits are 200 lbs. for a single user with 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.

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.

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.

Please see the "Delivery" section on our Service and Support page for information on shipping and delivery times.

In addition to the noteworthy visual differences, you get more accessory options, larger play structures (with more headroom), and beefier beams, decks, and fences as you move from our entry level Rustic playsets to our traditional Classic and premium Architectural lines. For a more detailed product line comparison, see our Compare Swing Set Product Lines page.