Which type of wood is best for a picnic table or climbing frame?

Which type of wood is best for a picnic table or play equipment?

A picnic table or piece of play equipment often stays outside for years. In the sun, in the rain and right in the middle of everyday family life. It is used for eating, drawing, climbing, playing and sometimes simply taking a little break. So of course you want wood that suits outdoor use and fits nicely into your garden.

But which type of wood should you choose? And why do you often see Douglas wood and cypress wood used for wooden garden products? We’ll help you make sense of the options.

 

Why the type of wood matters

Wood gives a picnic table or play equipment a warm, natural look. It blends easily into the garden and feels less hard than some other materials. At the same time, wood is a natural material. It reacts to sun, rain, moisture and changes in temperature.

That is why it is sensible to look not only at the appearance, but also at the characteristics of the wood.

For example, pay attention to:

- whether the wood is suitable for outdoor use
- how sturdy it feels
- how much maintenance it needs
- how the wood changes colour in weather and sun
- whether the look suits your garden
- whether the wood has a certification mark, such as FSC® or PEFC

That way you choose something that looks good and also suits the way your family enjoys being outdoors.

 

 

Common types of wood for outdoor use

Different types of wood are used for picnic tables, playhouses and play equipment. Each type has its own qualities and points to consider.

Pine
Pine is a familiar type of wood for garden products. It is relatively light and easy to work with. For outdoor use, pine is usually treated so that it can cope better with the weather.

If you choose pine, look carefully at the finish and the maintenance advice. Then you know what the wood needs to stay in good condition.

Spruce
Spruce is also often used for outdoor toys and garden furniture. It is light in colour and has a calm appearance. Like pine, spruce usually needs treatment when it is used outdoors.

Always check the product information. It explains how the wood has been finished and how to maintain it.

Hardwood
Hardwood is strong and is often used for garden furniture, decking and other outdoor products. It is usually heavier and often sits in a different price range from softwoods such as pine, spruce or Douglas wood.

With hardwood, it is especially worth checking where the wood comes from and whether any certification marks apply.

Cypress wood
Cypress wood has a calm, natural look. Its colour can vary from light to warm brown, depending on the species, finish and exposure to sun and rain. This makes it a good fit for garden products with a natural appearance.

The cypress wood EXIT Toys uses for wooden playhouses is FSC® certified. This means the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. For parents who pay attention to origin and material choice, that is a reassuring plus point.

Like other types of outdoor wood, cypress wood can change colour due to the weather. Maintenance also remains important. Always check the product information and follow the maintenance advice in the manual. This helps keep your picnic table or play equipment tidy and pleasant to use.

Douglas wood
Douglas wood is popular for outdoor use. It has a warm colour and a robust, natural appearance. That makes it suitable for wooden picnic tables, play equipment and other products that have a fixed place in the garden.

At EXIT Toys, Douglas play equipment and picnic tables are made from planed and dried PEFC-certified Douglas wood from European forests. If you leave Douglas wood untreated outdoors, it may turn grey over time. That is part of the natural behaviour of wood. Do you prefer the original colour? Then you can treat the wood according to the maintenance advice for the product.

Why Douglas wood works well for a picnic table or play equipment

A picnic table or piece of play equipment for children has to be practical, but looks matter too. Douglas wood combines a sturdy appearance with a natural look. That makes it a lovely choice for families who want to make their garden inviting and ready for play.

Douglas wood suits outdoor play products because:

- it has a warm and natural appearance
- it combines beautifully with greenery in the garden
- it gives a play area a robust look
- it is suitable for products that stay outside
- it ages in a natural way

For a picnic table, this means creating a nice place to eat together, draw or play games. For play equipment, it helps the play area blend naturally into the garden. Take a look, for example, at EXIT wooden picnic tables or the wider range of play equipment.

 

 

Why FSC®-certified cypress wood is interesting

Cypress wood has a different look from Douglas wood. It often appears calmer and, depending on the finish, can range from light to warm brown. This makes it a beautiful type of wood for garden products that may look natural without standing out too much.

The FSC® certification mark gives extra clarity about where the wood comes from. That is useful when you want to make a considered choice for a wooden picnic table or piece of play equipment and look beyond appearance alone.

FSC®-certified cypress wood suits families looking for:

- a natural appearance
- wood with a traceable origin
- a calm look in the garden
- a wooden product suitable for outdoor use
- a material you can keep looking good by following the maintenance advice

At EXIT Toys, you mainly see cypress wood in wooden playhouses. Here too, always look at the whole product. The type of wood is important, but the finish, construction, placement and maintenance together determine how pleasant the product is to use.

 

 

Treated or untreated wood?

With wooden products, you often come across the choice between treated and untreated wood. Treated wood has already been given a protective layer or treatment. This can help protect the wood better against outdoor influences.

Untreated wood changes colour more quickly. It may turn grey and develop small cracks. That is normal for wood that stands outside. Natural features such as knots, resin, colour differences and cracking are part of wood and do not automatically say anything about the strength of the product. It is important, though, to check and maintain the product regularly as described in the manual.

If in doubt, always look at the product information for the picnic table or play equipment. It states what finish the wood has and which maintenance is recommended.

How do you maintain a wooden picnic table or play equipment?

Outdoor wood needs a little attention now and then. Fortunately, that does not have to be complicated. With regular maintenance, the product stays more pleasant to use and looks better cared for.

Useful tips:

- Clean the wood with a soft brush or cloth.
- Remove leaves, sand and other dirt.
- Check screws, connections and wooden parts regularly.
- Do not use aggressive cleaning products.
- Always follow the maintenance advice in the manual.
- Treat the wood again if that is recommended for your product.

Especially with products children play on, checking is important. This keeps the play area tidy and ready for a new day outside. Do you have a playhouse? Always follow the maintenance advice in the manual and check the product information for your specific playhouse.

 

 

Which type of wood suits your garden?

The best type of wood depends on what matters to you. Do you mainly want a natural, robust appearance? Then Douglas wood is a good option. Are you looking for a calmer type of wood with a natural look and FSC®-certified origin? Then cypress wood may be interesting. Are you looking for a lighter type of wood? Treated pine or spruce may suit you. Do you want a heavier type of wood with a different appearance? Then hardwood can be an option.

Ask yourself these questions before choosing:

How will the product be used?
A picnic table is often used for more than eating. Children colour, build, craft and play at it. Play equipment has to deal with climbing, clambering and movement. Choose wood and a design that suit that use.

How much maintenance do you want to do?
Every type of wood needs maintenance, but the amount can differ. So look carefully at the maintenance instructions.

What appearance do you like?
Wood can look calm, sturdy, rustic or modern. Douglas wood has a warm and robust look. Cypress wood often looks calmer and natural. Both types of wood can fit beautifully into a garden where play, relaxation and being outside together are central.

Will the product stay outside all year round?
Then the type of wood, finish and maintenance matter even more. Always check whether the product is intended for outdoor use and what maintenance is recommended.

 

Don’t forget the design

The type of wood is important, but the design matters just as much. With a picnic table, pay attention to the seat height, shape and the space around it. With play equipment, look at the play options, stable placement and the parts included with the product.

At EXIT Toys, outdoor play is all about having fun in your own garden. A good picnic table naturally becomes a place for lemonade, pavement chalk, sandwiches and games. Play equipment encourages children to move, discover and play together.

 

So, which type of wood is best?

There is not one type of wood that is the best choice for every family. It depends on your garden, your taste, how the product will be used and how much maintenance you want to do. Douglas wood is an attractive option for many parents because of its natural appearance and suitability for outdoor applications. FSC®-certified cypress wood can also be interesting if you like a calm, natural wood look and the origin of the wood matters to you.

When choosing, always look at the combination of wood type, finish, maintenance and design. That way you choose a picnic table or piece of play equipment your family will enjoy using. Want to browse further? View the EXIT picnic tables for children and the full range of playground equipment.