SWING SET REVIEWS/ADVICE

Senior Member Joined: Oct 11 2007 Posts: 141

Any advice on purchasing a swing set? I saved up money to buy. $1300 needs to include installation.
Are there any sets/companies that you are happy with or unhappy with? I'm thinking of getting amish set - www.greentreewoodworks.com or www.penndutchstructures.com but cheaper sets are basically just slide and swings so now I'm wondering if it's worth $600 more for wooden over metal if its just slide and swings anyway? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks. ToysRUs has wooden sets starting at $400. What is downside of these cheaper sets - have playhouses, swings, sandboxes - everything?

Posted: Mon, Jun 21 2010, 10:30 am Post subject: Re: SWING SET REVIEWS/ADVICE

Gold Member Joined: Apr 16 2005 Posts: 1943

It's not something I have researched extensively, since I've never had a yard, but have you considered buying used? I sometimes see swing sets on Craig's List that are only a year or two old, but the sellers do not want to move them to their new homes. Sometimes they are very expensive, high-end sets going for really good prices. You would need to pay installation separately, if you cannot do it yourself, but if you get a good deal, that would be okay. I also see many older, cheaper sets on Craig's List (for next to nothing), but I do see really nice stuff, too. Anyway, I just thought buying used might be a way for your to afford your "dream" set, while still staying within your budget.
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Binah

Silver Member Joined: Jan 28 2010 Posts: 846

I've bought a massive swingset at greentreewoodworks about 3 or 4 years ago and am very happy with it. They do provide excellent service should you encounter a problem.

Posted: Mon, Jun 21 2010, 10:55 am Post subject: re: SWING SET REVIEWS/ADVICE

Thumbs up for them. I know a few people that have green tree sets and love it. You should be able to customize.
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Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4656

Oh - baskrox - I am so sorry for not answering your PM. I had to travel to a conference in DC two days last week and it really threw me off.

We spent $1,800 in a vinyl set from Rockland Woodworks. They have a website and you can see them in person in Randallstown. A vinyl set was appealing to us because the sets are basically modular (ie - can choose to move slide to either side, ladder, etc.). We have an alley at the back of our house and wanted the ladder for the slide at the FRONT of the set along-side the slide to minimize children running out of view of adults and near the alley. This vinyl option is the only thing that could accomodate us. We spent more than we wanted to - $800 budget to $1,000 to $1,500 and we finally went with the $1,800 (included installation) and I am very very happy with the set. Another plus to vinyl - never have to worry about maintenance (staining, etc.) and always looks nice. I love having our own set and customizing it to our needs (ie - now we have 2 baby swings, a glider but when our kids get big we can replace with regular swings, tire swing, etc.)

Good luck!