Questions about Douglas wood
Is Douglas wood strong enough for a playset?
Absolutely. In fact, Douglas wood is one of the hardest European softwoods and is known for its high bending strength. This type of wood falls within durability class 3-4, which means it is less susceptible to wood-decaying fungi than, for example, spruce or pine. That makes Douglas wood very suitable for outdoor use, such as playsets. Our Douglas wood constructions in the Linea playsets, with posts measuring 3.3 x 3.3 in, are designed for years of safe outdoor fun.
Is untreated Douglas wood resistant to wood rot and insects?
Even without treatment, Douglas wood is naturally resistant to wood rot and insects. It has an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years, even when left untreated. For Linea playsets, we have taken special measures, such as using heavy metal ground anchors. This keeps the bottom of the posts just above the ground, so they do not come into contact with moisture or fungi, which significantly extends their lifespan.
I can see in photos of the Linea playsets that the wood has a beautiful yellow-red colour. Will it stay like that or does it discolour quickly?
The yellow-red colour looks beautiful when you first receive it, but it is good to know that untreated Douglas wood will gradually turn grey due to weather conditions. This is a natural process and does not affect the quality or strength of the wood. If you want to keep the original colour, you can apply a special outdoor stain or oil that is suitable for Douglas wood. With a coloured stain, you can adjust the colour to suit your own preference.
How can I stop Douglas wood from turning grey? I really love that natural colour.
To preserve the original colour, you can treat the wood with a high-quality outdoor stain or oil that is specially suitable for Douglas wood. Stain or oil also gives the wood extra protection against moisture and UV rays. You can choose a transparent or coloured stain, depending on what you prefer.
Do I need to treat Douglas wood to guarantee its quality?
No, treatment is not necessary to maintain the quality of the wood. Douglas wood is naturally durable. Treatment is purely for aesthetic reasons, such as preserving the colour, or to extend the lifespan even further.
How often should I stain or oil Douglas wood if I treat it?
How often you need to treat it depends on the type of product you use. High-quality stains often last 3 to 4 years, or sometimes even close to 10 years. The instructions for the specific stain or oil will tell you exactly how often maintenance is needed.
I am worried my children might get splinters while playing. What about splinters on these Linea Tumble bars?
We understand your concern. To minimise the risk of splinters, we use planed and dried Douglas wood for Linea playsets. The specific sawing method also reduces the chance of deep cracks where splinters could develop. If a rough patch does appear over time because of weather conditions, you can easily sand it smooth with fine sandpaper, grit sizes 80 or 100, in the direction of the wood grain.
You mention "heart-free wood". What does that mean and why is it better?
Heart-free wood means the beams are sawn from the trunk in such a way that the heart is located outside the centre. This specific sawing method greatly reduces the natural tension in the beams, which means there is much less chance of deep drying cracks and the playset stays more stable and keeps its shape better.
Why do you use Douglas wood from Europe and not from other countries?
Our Douglas wood is a 100% natural product and comes from European forests. This keeps transport distances shorter and supports responsible forest management. It is a conscious choice for quality and responsibility.
Ordering a Linea playset
What exactly is covered by the "full warranty" on Linea playsets?
The full warranty covers the construction, the fittings, such as screws and bolts, and the accessories for the stated period. This applies to normal home use and assembly according to the manual.
What is not covered by the warranty?
Natural characteristics such as cracks, knots, resin and greying do not have a negative effect on the quality and durability of the wood, so they are not covered by the warranty. Dark grey or black marks are also not covered, because they are a natural reaction of untreated wood to environmental factors, such as moisture and location. Finally, damage caused by incorrect assembly or poor maintenance, such as not using the prescribed ground anchors, will void the wood warranty.
Installing a Linea playset
Do I need to buy extra materials myself to anchor the Linea playset?
The required heavy galvanised metal ground anchors are included. You do need to place them in the ground and set them in concrete or quick-setting concrete for the best stability.
Which concrete do you recommend for anchoring the Linea?
We recommend using quick-setting concrete when anchoring the Linea playsets. 4 bags of 25 kg per ground anchor is sufficient.
Where is the best place to install my Linea playset?
Outdoors on a loose surface such as sand, clay or grass. When installing it, also keep the safety distance in mind. Make sure the playset is 6.6 feet away from a wall, fence, boundary fence or other objects to prevent collisions.
Assembling a Linea playset
Which surface do you recommend for my Linea swing?
Loose surfaces, clay and grass are all good surfaces for placing the Linea playsets.
Do I need to take a safety distance into account when assembling a Linea playset?
Yes, it is definitely wise to keep enough distance for safety. We recommend leaving 6.6 feet of space.
Will I receive assembly instructions with the Linea playset?
Yes, every product comes with a clear manual. It is important to follow the assembly instructions carefully. That way, the playset will be set up firmly and correctly, and your warranty will remain valid.
How many people do I need to assemble the Linea playset?
Because of the size of the playsets, it is sensible to assemble a Linea playset with several adults. This is especially helpful when anchoring it and fitting the larger parts. With two adults, allow 1 hour for the simplest versions and 1.5 hours for the most extensive version.
My Linea playset feels unstable. How can I fix this?
Of course, you will want to solve an unstable playset as quickly as possible. Luckily, most causes are easy to fix. Follow the steps below:
- Check the ground anchors - The ground anchors are the first thing to check. Make sure they are firmly fixed in the ground and still properly attached to the playset. Are they loose or damaged? Then take action to secure the anchor properly again or replace it if needed.
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Check all screws, bolts and nuts - Connections can become a little looser over time. Go over all the screws with the supplied tool and tighten them firmly. Do this regularly as part of maintenance too, especially at the start of each outdoor season.
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Check for damaged parts - Do you see cracks, bending or wear on the posts or connecting parts? Then do not use the playset until the parts have been replaced.
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Contact our customer service team - Still cannot work it out? Our customer service team will be happy to help. Send a photo of the playset and the situation, so we can give you quick and targeted advice.
Maintaining a Linea playset
I can see cracks in the Douglas wood. Is that normal or is the product damaged?
Cracking is a natural characteristic of Douglas wood and is normal, even over time. We minimise the chance of deep drying cracks by using a specific sawing method where the heart lies outside the centre. These cracks do not affect the strength of the wood and are not covered by the warranty.
I can see "lumpy" spots in the wood. Is that something to worry about or a sign of lower quality?
These are knots, areas where branches once grew on the tree, and they are a natural characteristic of softwoods such as Douglas. They are part of the charm of a natural product and do not have a negative effect on the quality or durability of the wood. The presence of knots is not a reason for a warranty claim.
There is resin in the wood and it sticks to my hands. Is this covered by the warranty?
Resin is a natural substance found in the Douglas wood of Linea playsets and it can sometimes come out. This is not a defect and is not covered by the warranty. You can carefully remove any leaking resin with a cloth, or let it harden and then scrape it off.
If the wood warps, does that affect the safety of the playset?
Warping or twisting is a natural characteristic of Douglas wood caused by changes in moisture. This does not affect the quality or safety of the construction. Our designs and solid anchoring make sure the playset stays stable, even if individual posts move slightly.
Some parts of my Linea playset are not turning a nice grey colour, but are becoming really dark grey or black. Is the wood rotting?
We understand that this can look alarming at first, but no need to worry. In 99% of cases, this is not wood rot. There are two main causes of this black colouring:
- Natural weathering: because of a combination of a lot of moisture, such as rain, and little sunlight, the silver-grey colour can shift to a dark grey or black shade.
- Surface mould, caused by the weather: Douglas wood is a natural product that changes over time. When the wood stays damp for a long time, microscopic mould spores from the air can settle on the surface. This does not affect the construction or the strength of the wood. It only causes a black visual discolouration on the outside.
Can I remove black marks from my Linea playset?
You can often remove the black deposit quite easily with a stiff brush and soapy water using natural soap or soda crystals. For stubborn marks or weather staining in the wood, you can use a wood cleaner based on oxalic acid. This solution bleaches away the black marks without damaging the wood.
How can I prevent black marks on my Linea playset?
The best way to prevent this is by treating the wood with a breathable outdoor stain or oil. This creates a protective layer over the wood, so moisture is less likely to get in, while the wood can still breathe. Good ventilation around the playset also helps, so do not place it too close to bushes or walls. This helps the wood dry faster after rain.
Is black discolouration of the wood covered by the warranty?
Because this is a natural reaction of untreated wood to environmental factors, such as moisture and the location of the playset, this visual discolouration is not covered by the warranty. This surface discolouration does not affect the strength of the playset. The warranty is aimed at structural safety and preventing wood rot from the inside.
Can I also reorder parts for Linea products?
You can order new parts for your Linea playset through our webshop. You can read how ordering parts works in our blog: "How do I order new parts for my EXIT outdoor toys?"
Please note: before ordering a part, it is a good idea to check the warranty periods for your Linea playset. Is your warranty still valid? Then go to the EXIT Service Portal and let us know which part you want to replace. We will get started for you.