We're thinking about buying a wooden play structure for our backyard, but a friend of mine who has one says that the wood attracts a lot of spiders. She said that if she had it to do over again, she'd get a metal or plastic swing set instead. I like the wooden structures, because they always have more to do than just the swings and slide. I feel like the kids would get more use out of the wooden one over the years, and also they just seem nicer overall. But I don't want to have to worry about them getting bitten by spiders or other bugs, and I don't want to have to climb up on it myself every time to check.
Does anyone else have experience with either the wooden or the metal structures? Any advice or opinions?
Thanks!
We used to have a wooden one and it never had spiders. Don't get metal because it rusts and corrodes and that makes it dangerous.
it doesn't matter what it is made out of. we have a big wooden one-w/ the fort on top. and a small plastic one. I think the plastic little tykes one is worse because there are a couple tunnels. if there are no dark areas you'll be safe. at my house the spiders like dark corners.
I know what she means about the wood, so I chose metal patio furniture. Guess what? Yep, it still gets spider webs--and black widow webs at that! However, I have NEVER in 6 years, seen them out at day time-they're afraid of people and only surface at night when my husband goes hunting for them. Go for wood-it's better in the long run!
I have had both a metal swingset and now a wooden one. I found that spiders are on both. The amount depend on where you live. Most of the time the spiders aren't going to harm anyone. I just check periodically and remove any that I find. I'd get the set that you want. You're going to have bugs no matter which you get.
Not sure how much you want to spend but Costco has an amazing one on sale right now made of wood. I would recommend wood over plastic or metal for sure. The other posts covered the reasons why.
Well for us, I like the metal structure because I didn't want to worry about splinters or having to re-finish the wood. I also wanted one with a solid roof for the "clubhouse". The fabic ones blow a lot in the wind and get torn up. Also to clean it you could just hose it down but you can't with wood. I agree that wood looks better (more natural look) but I don't know if one kind is "more fun" than the other. They can all have the same things. hope this helps!
I think you're going to get spiders no matter what it is. I have a small plastic play system and I'm constantly hosing it out. I guess anything that stays outside needs constant maintenance.
We had a wooden structure. It came with our house and my problem with it was that the wood got worn and splintered if you rubbed your hand on it. If you get wood, make sure that it is treated and sealed so it doesn't do this.
We have a wooden one we bought at Costco and we've never noticed that it attracts spiders.
If you know your going to be in your house for several years, the better wooden play structures are well worth the $$. We've had our up for 8+ years & it's still in great shape & is used everyday. Once a year my husband paints a coat of Norwegian Oil on it, I think I'm remembering the name right, it's at Home Depot, about $60 or $70, but I think the can lasts for a couple of years. This keeps the wood water resistant & I've never had a kid complain of getting a splinter. The structure looks really nice too.
My kids have frequently hosed &/or scrubbed it down for spiders, "painted" the whole thing with h20 or tempra paint, covered it in chalk, taped up posters, tied ropes & buckets to haul things up, made forts with old towels & tablecloths. My older girls don't use it so much anymore, only swinging now & again, but the younger one & her nieghborhood friends use it daily. It's a great toy & I can check on them while I'm making dinner.
The canvas awning has been replaced 2x, the sun will eventually break down the fibers & make them weak enough that a kid will be able to stick their hand through it. & yes, that turned into a party, ripping the top to shreds. The glider had to be replaced after about 5 years, the rope broke. The one my husband replaced it with has a chain. It took my husband a weekend to put it together, by himself, with the kids & I fetching--occasionaly tools or boards he needed. We got ours @ Costco, best Grand we ever spent, toywise.
I have a plastic play structure and it has spiders at least once a week. I just keep a broom outside to sweep them away. My son is also now more aware of them to and will tell me so that I can take care of them. One thing to consider is how much direct sunlight the area that you will be put the structure gets. Plastic and metal will get hot much faster. Our neighbor has a plastic one not in the shade and the kids can't even play on it in the middle of the day because it is so hot.
your friend could be right about the wooden play structures attracting spiders. it makes sense since it's more like a tree than something metal or plastic. but i'll tell you this: we have a plastic play structure from 'step 2' and there are new spider webs every day. possibly, the material of the structure has less to do with attracting spiders than the fact that these play structures have so many appealing nooks for spiders to build their webs. it's not too much trouble getting rid of them...i have an old broom that i keep outside to brush away the webs. it's takes less than a minute. i'd say, just pick the swing set your kids would like the best...you're going to have to deal with spiders regardless of your choice. good luck!! :)
We have a metal one and parts of it are rusting so parts are not usable. We've had it for maybe four years? It wasn't brand new when we got it but consider that it's outside all the time. I'm looking into something like they have at the park.
If you look at the big picture, there are going to be spiders regardless if your kids play on a wood or metal structure since they'll be outside- something you can't avoid. I get scared with bees around the kids, and I love flowers, but that doesn't stop me from planting flowers around our yard.
We've inherited a metal/plastic structure and the kids have fun on it. If you have the money in your budget to affort a wood/synthetic structure, I'd buy that one if I were you. The wood/synthetic structure provides shade and you're right, they just look nicer.
Our metal structure is beginning to rust (after 8 years), but the price was right (free) and the kids have a blast playing on it. Good luck and have fun!
i would think the plastic ones are better b/c you can sponge them off and not worry about splinters. there are some at my daughters preschool & she loves them.
My good friends have a beautiful set that has more than a swing set on it. It has a rock climbing wall, a fort, a slide, etc. It is made of white fiberglass (that looks like wood) and still looks like new even after 6 years of play.
This may be a more expensive option, but it would certainly be a solution to your situation.
