Childrens play area

[hutters]

Hi

I'm looking to build an area in our garden for swing/slide to sit on. Basically want to build a wooden frame to partially sink into the grass to make a level surface and then fill with rubber bark to provide a cushion should they fall.

Is there a specific treated wood that would be best for this use? I assume any wood, however well treated will rot over time, so something to prolong the life is what I need.

Thanks.

[ultimatehandyman]

Hi Hutters,

Your best bet will probably be tanalized timber, this has been treated under pressure and will last much longer for external use.

Partially burying it will mean that it will eventually still rot, but will last much longer than non treated timber.

Railway sleepers will last a long time, but they are covered in tar, which may come off onto clothes etc.

The only solution to prevent the timber from rotting would be to raise it up slightly to allow air to circulate, but if you use tanalized timber it will probably be 5 years or more before it rots really badly.

[hutters]

Wow, that was a quick reply, thank you :)

Just need to find a decent timber merchant now...

Cheers.

[big-all]

yep i agree entirly with uhm

just though i would throw this in the mix as it is flexible and will allow nicer shapes
http://www.everedge.co.uk/home.htm

dont know anything about the product i just like the fluid possibilitys

[ultimatehandyman]

yep i agree entirly with uhm

just though i would throw this in the mix as it is flexible and will allow nicer shapes
http://www.everedge.co.uk/home.htm

dont know anything about the product i just like the fluid possibilitys

That is a good idea

I was trying to think of something made of plastic, but couldn't!

[hutters]

I've been investigating railway sleepers and there is actually quite a lot of choice. There are plenty available that are non treated hardwood and there are also non creosote/tar treated ones that are safe for this application.

It looks like Timberlok is the way to go for fixing them together :)

[carhartt kid]

I have used sleepers in the past for the exact thing you're doing. I buried the sleepers stacked at angles and had them all cut to different lengths. ALso built a stile into it to get in and out!

You should expect to pay about £10-£15 per 10ft sleeper.

[bathstyle]

Funnily enough I went into Wickes today and noticed they had sleepers that were reduced by 70% today.

It might be worth a look, this was in Farnborough, Hampshire. I've no idea if this offer is throughout the UK.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/187785