Your Guide to Choosing the Playset of Your Dreams

When shopping around for a playset, many people have no idea where to start, and the process can quickly become overwhelming. Without knowing what to look for, it can be quite difficult and time-consuming to try to find a playset that will fulfill your needs, fit well in your space, and be durable enough to last.

For that reason, we’ve put together this guide to help you know what to look for and how to find the playset of your dreams while ensuring it fits your needs and space.

1. Evaluate Your Space

   The first step always has to be evaluating the space that you have available for a playset and determining what size of playset it’s capable of supporting. Generally speaking, you’ll want at least 6 feet on all sides of the playset and any attachments, so it’s important to ensure that the space you have is large enough for this.

   Another thing to take a look at is the slope of the ground. While a playset can be leveled out on a very gentle grade, if the ground is sloped, there is a good chance it will need to be levelled before the playset can be installed. Later on you can ask your playset manufacturer what their specific requirements are.

2. Determine What You Want

   The next step is determining exactly what you’re looking for in a playset. Here are a number of considerations and things to check into when purchasing a playset.

   Do you want a full playhouse tower, with a full enclosure at the top, or do you want a more open set?

   Sets that are open will typically have more options for attachments and alternate configurations, while some may prefer the privacy of a fully enclosed tower.

   Do you want multiple towers joined by bridges?

   Multiple towers can add huge amounts of possibility and fun, but they also take up more space and add additional costs.

   What kind of and how many swings do you want?

   Do you want gliders, belt swings, or a mix of both? Or maybe you’re looking for a tire swing as well. Think about who will be using the set the most, and what will work best for them. Don’t forget to add something for the adults to hang out on like a hammock swing!

   Do you want a wood set or a vinyl one?

   While many people prefer the look and price of wood, vinyl playsets take much less maintenance and can last longer and look better for longer.

   Do you want to assemble the set or have everything installed for you?

   Assembling the playset yourself can save money and be a fun bonding experience, but it can also be a stressful, frustrating, seemingly impossible experience, especially with lower quality, poorly designed sets from big box stores that ship in hundreds of pieces.

   These are all things to take into consideration when choosing a set. One thing that can be very helpful when trying to sort through everything is simply calling and speaking with an educated salesperson who can walk you through everything and explain the benefits and disadvantages of each decision. Patiova is a great place to start, as any of our salespeople will be happy to help you through the process of choosing exactly what will be perfect for you.

3. Find a Company and Ensure Quality

   The third and final step will be choosing a company to purchase from and making the purchase. After that, you simply wait and enjoy, unless you decide to assemble the set yourself.

   The most important thing to consider when choosing which company to buy from is the quality of their products, but you can also look at other things such as their attitude toward sustainability or how they fit into your local economy.

   It’s important to look critically at sets that a company offers, and check into information about how well built their products are, such as reviews. While the designs of sets from two different companies may look very similar, in reality one may be built with lower quality or thinner materials, leading to headaches when things break down the road. Just compare the specifications of different sets from different companies, and take note of where one may be cutting corners.

   For example, one important thing to look at is the swing beam. At Patiova, we use only dual 2×10 boards attached to each other, which prevents them from warping nearly as much and is actually stronger than a single 4×10 beam. Other companies use swing beams as small as dual 2×6 boards, or even single 4×6 or 3×6 boards for the swing beam. Be sure to also take a look at how many pieces the kits ship in and how much time is involved in setup, or the installation that a company offers and what is included.

So there you have it! These are the main things to look at and consider when purchasing a playset. You’ll still need to do some research and determine what you want, but this will give you the framework for the process. And if you’re ever stuck or just looking for some help, give us a call! At Patiova, we’re always ready to give you the help and guidance you need to walk through the process and make a great decision!