Swings are a nice and relaxing addition to your garden, which can be equally fun for children and adults. No wonder so many families want one for their gardens.
It doesn’t matter if you are looking for outdoor entertainment for children or a place to sit and relax: a carefully chosen swing, perhaps following the advice of the Ecc.net.it experts, can bring smiles and laughter to any garden. Swings for children: what to consider
Choosing the right swing is important when you have children, especially if you want it to last a long time.
Make sure the swing you plan to buy is aimed at the right age group and, if possible, choose one that can be used for years to come. Even if it means shelling out more now, it will save you a hefty sum in the long run.
Take care to choose the swing based on the age and number of children. Adjust the height according to the height of the child: but climbing on a swing is not recommended for children under 3 years old.
A seat for very young children will require extra back support to ensure they are perfectly safe while playing. Some are equipped with “anti-roll” bearings on the crossbar to prevent the seats and chains from rolling around on themselves, making the swings unusable.Choice of material, wood or metal
Any swing should have a sturdy construction, made of strong and durable materials and easy to follow instructions. There are mainly two materials used in the creation of sets for swings: wood and metal. Treated pine wood is common and metal is usually designed for outdoor use.
The swing with a wooden structure must absolutely provide a treatment against humidity and woodworms and insects that can corrode it. Better to choose a wood with a high degree of resistance to rot
Metal swings are typically cheaper than their hardwood counterparts and can feature all sorts of elegant designs. Just like with wooden swings, metal swings also suffer damage from rain and sun, developing rust and discoloration. There are some metallic materials and sprays that the swing can be coated with to reduce this damage. However, it is advisable to protect the metal swings by placing them under the roof.
Recycled plastic is the cheapest of the materials and does not suffer from weather damage. A great option if you want to place the swing in your garden or under a tree. Useful considerations and indications
As with any moving equipment, general safety requirements should be followed when considering purchasing a swing.
- The space in the garden
Before moving on to buying the best swing for your garden, consider the spaces. You have to be careful that the swing doesn’t take up all the space in the yard. Measure the width and length of your swing and the space you need around it. Consider enough space to be able to walk around the swing.
The positioning of the frame should minimize the risk of collision by being at a safe distance from other game units and away from paths and gates. Also make sure that there are no shrubs, trees or boulders in the immediate vicinity of the swing, which can be potential hazards in the event of a fall. Usually, a radius of two meters away should be enough.
- The fall space
When buying a swing, look in the parameters for the free fall height and the area of the fall space, which are indicated on almost all products. The height of free fall is the point from which the user can fall; the fall area of the space and the safety zone surrounding the swing which must be free from any obstruction.
By determining the total space required and the amount of floor space required, these dimensions will affect the overall cost of the installation. For example, the higher the fall height, the thicker the surface must be to absorb impacts in the event of a fall.
- The surrounding land
The choice of the type of terrain is also important, as a fall can quickly become dangerous if it is not soft enough. Avoid hard surfaces such as concrete, flooring, or even tiles or pebbles at all costs. A lawn is just fine and a 10cm layer of sand is ideal. If the soil is too hard, spread out a 5cm layer of maritime pine bark, it’s nice and very soft too.
Now you have all the basics to be able to think about which swing is best for your garden, based on the space available and your needs. As we have seen, swings can give an extra touch of happiness to any exterior, but nevertheless there are many boxes to tick, from the materials used to the safety requirements.
