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hutters
Junior Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:48 am Post subject: Childrens play area |
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Hi
I'm looking to build an area in our garden for swing/slide to sit on. Basically want to build a wooden frame to partially sink into the grass to make a level surface and then fill with rubber bark to provide a cushion should they fall.
Is there a specific treated wood that would be best for this use? I assume any wood, however well treated will rot over time, so something to prolong the life is what I need.
Thanks. |
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:55 am Post subject: |
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Hi Hutters,
Your best bet will probably be tanalized timber, this has been treated under pressure and will last much longer for external use.
Partially burying it will mean that it will eventually still rot, but will last much longer than non treated timber.
Railway sleepers will last a long time, but they are covered in tar, which may come off onto clothes etc.
The only solution to prevent the timber from rotting would be to raise it up slightly to allow air to circulate, but if you use tanalized timber it will probably be 5 years or more before it rots really badly.
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hutters
Junior Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Wow, that was a quick reply, thank you :)
Just need to find a decent timber merchant now...
Cheers. |
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big-all
Pro Carpenter
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 2775
Location: redhill surrey an auld reekie laddie
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:46 am Post subject: |
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yep i agree entirly with uhm :grin: :grin:
just though i would throw this in the mix as it is flexible and will allow nicer shapes
http://www.everedge.co.uk/home.htm
dont know anything about the product i just like the fluid possibilitys 
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:49 am Post subject: |
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| big-all wrote: |
yep i agree entirly with uhm :grin: :grin:
just though i would throw this in the mix as it is flexible and will allow nicer shapes
http://www.everedge.co.uk/home.htm
dont know anything about the product i just like the fluid possibilitys |
That is a good idea 
I was trying to think of something made of plastic, but couldn't!
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hutters
Junior Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:54 am Post subject: |
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I've been investigating railway sleepers and there is actually quite a lot of choice. There are plenty available that are non treated hardwood and there are also non creosote/tar treated ones that are safe for this application.
It looks like Timberlok is the way to go for fixing them together :) |
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carhartt kid
Senior Member
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 352
Location: Bristol
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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I have used sleepers in the past for the exact thing you're doing. I buried the sleepers stacked at angles and had them all cut to different lengths. ALso built a stile into it to get in and out!
You should expect to pay about £10-£15 per 10ft sleeper.
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bathstyle
BATHROOM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 796
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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Funnily enough I went into Wickes today and noticed they had sleepers that were reduced by 70% today.
It might be worth a look, this was in Farnborough, Hampshire. I've no idea if this offer is throughout the UK.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/187785 |
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