I plan to purchase a traditional metal swing/slide set for my daughters. I've narrowed my search to a handful (sadly, very few are even on the market these days!), and will also buy the water-filled anchors/pads because I'm in a rental house and can't anchor it with concrete.
Before I buy, does anyone have good & bad experiences with modern metal swingsets? Any tips on manufacturers, retailers, installation, safety? Also, I'm in TX so am very concerned with how hot the surfaces might get (they only seem to be available in dark colors). Thanks!
The only thing I would say is make sure they are not positioned on the esde of anything. I remember as a child swinging quite happily at a motel on holiday with my family. The swing set was postioned at the edge of the concret pad and I ended up at the bottom of a 4 foot drop. I think it was mostly due to the fact that it wasnt weighted down but youve got that covered. Here's to many happy days swinging and sliding in the yard!!
If the metal swing set is in the sun and heats up like normal iron/steel, then you run the risk of a child's tender skin getting second, even third, degree burns on a hot day from the hot metal.
If the seats are plastic, it's in permanent shade, or there is a plastic or rubber coating over the metal to stop it getting too hot it might not be such a problem, but be very aware that the potential for that problem exists.
We bought our boys an Easy Peezy swing set for x-mas. Unfortunately in Nth QLD the Hills ones rust in 12 mths. There is no slide with it but I think you can by one seperately. Its an American brand so I'd say its available over there. The seats are thick plastic and strong rope cords rather then chain (too hot up here I found) and has a see-saw thingy on it as well. It comes with anchor pegs but it also has a moulded base instead of just 4 legs IYKWIM. I now have 2 since my mother didn't know I'd actually bought one for my boys and she bought them one for x-mas. Trying to sell it but since everyone is just getting over x-mas I don't think that'll happen soon.
I havent heard of water weights then again its been a long time since I purchased a swing set, however I was able to secure them with tent like pegs into the ground. The first set I was given the second set I purchased from a neighbour when her child was hurt because it was not anchoured, swing sets are unstable when not anchoured to the ground and her daughter almost lost an eye when her sister was swinging furiously on the set. Make sure the water weights are used as per instructions and/or try to secure the swing set to the ground using pegs. These are great items when used properly and encourage kids to be outside in the fresh air having fun.
I'm not sure if you can get this brand, but try looking for a Hills brand swing set. You can anchor them down to the ground with tent pegs. They are strong metal frames, but have plastic seating so they don't get hot. You can also get them in the slides, but they do get very hot. The coloured powdercoated ones are better as they don't get quite as hot and cool down quicker.
There are slides you can get that are plastic waterslides where you hook the hose up and its done. Maybe one of those would be better. If not to use as a waterslide to hose down before your littlie gets on and make is cooler :)
Thank you! We can't get Hills in the US...but the brands we do have, are all with plastic seating too, and usually plastic-coated chains. The slides are typically white, which is nice, but the metal parts and swing seats are dark.
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