What is the best wood to use to build a Jungle Gym for my 6 & 8 year old?

Question

Should I use pressure treated or unfinished and stain it? I getting told all kinds of things and want to do it cost efficientlly but safe for them.

Answer 1

Redwood would be the best wood to use, but it may be cost-prohibitive.  Pressure treated would be the way to go.  After assembly, let it dry out for a couple of months, then if desired you can stain it.  I recommend Deckscapes by Sherwin-Williams.  It's available in oil and water based formulas.  Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Definately treated lumber.

You dont need to stain it unless you want to change the color. Just spray water repellent on it once a year with a pump up sprayer. Wait a few months until it dries out before you spray it the first time.

Answer 3

I would suggest cedar wood un treated. You can buy the pressure treated wood and that would be fine but you have to make sure it is not pressure treated with one of the additives being arsenic. There was a new government regulation that was suppose to or has gone into effect about not allowing manufacturers to use arsenic as a additive in their pressure treated woods. The only reason I am telling you this is because there have been reports of arsenic poisoning in kids who had these types of pressure treated wood play things. But there is also pressure treated wood out there that does not use arsenic and i would be sure to ask who ever it is you buy you wood from if it is arsenic free.  I personally think natural cedar is the way to go because it is naturally bug resistant very strong and lasts quite a while. Heck my house was built in the 1930's and the piers it sets on are cedar with the bark still on it and they are as good and sturdy as the day they were put there 70 years ago.

Answer 4

treated lumber.....they outlawed arsenic and other tretments this past fall......now treated if safe and will not leach out harmful materials...u can get this info at the place u buy the lumber....

lic. gen. contractor