When discussing wooden swing sets, it seems everyone has their favorite. For a variety of different reasons, some people prefer pine, others opt for cedar and then there are the redwood lovers. Whatever you ultimately choose, you should know why redwood swing sets are the best choice you can make.

To understand why redwood is overwhelmingly the most popular wood for swing sets, you need to know some of its qualities that make it perfect for building anything that will spend its life outdoors. This article will also point out the differences in various qualities of redwood swing sets, so you have peace of mind, knowing exactly what you’re paying for.

All redwood will have a color ranging from pink to deep red, and over time, regardless of the color it starts out with, will wind up turning gray. Like all woods, there are several grades of redwood and not all are best suited for a swing set. The best type to look for is a Con-Heart grade of redwood, which indicates construction worthiness and comes from the innermost part of the tree.

Only the innermost part of the tree contains wood that has a natural resistance to bugs and decay. If redwood comes from the outside of the tree, it must have a coat of stain applied every year, otherwise it’s susceptible to rotting. If your swing set is composed of 100% Con-Heart redwood, there’s no need to stain or sand it. Watch for companies that try to sell you redwood that isn’t from the inside portion of the redwood tree, those swing sets will need annual maintenance.

Something to be aware of is the presence of any white wood in the swing set you’re considering. This is sapwood and has no resistance at all to insects or decay. If you see sapwood, you’re not getting Con-Heart wood, because heartwood doesn’t have any sapwood. An advantage to wood from the heart of the tree is that its resistance goes throughout the wood so that exposed parts that have been sawed or nailed are just as safe from bugs and diseases.

All wood will swell or shrink in the presence or absence of moisture. Redwood is more stable than most other woods and while it will swell or shrink slightly, it’s still able to maintain its shape better than other woods. You’ll have much less cracking, splitting, and warping with a redwood swing set.

When you’re investing in a wooden swing set, durability is an important consideration. Because of its ability to fend off decay and bugs, a redwood swing set will still be in great shape and will look better than one built with a different wood, even 20 years down the road.

If you’re going to pay a premium price for a premium wood like redwood, be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Companies have been known to use a combination of woods like redwood and red cedar, or Chinese Fir and still advertise it as redwood. Do your homework and know what you’re actually paying for. Ask questions and read the fine print before you sign anything.

For the ultimate benefits of redwood, find out if Con-Heart grade redwood was used for all pieces of the swing set. This way you’re assured of getting all the natural protection redwood has to offer, not just in the beams and larger pieces, but throughout the entire swing set.