The change is happening and it seems almost inevitable now, as the wooden swing set is slowly becoming the norm in both the backyard and the playground. And swing sets of metal, while they haven’t vanished altogether, appear at least to be losing some ground. Some of the reasons for this change have to do with safety issues, though people may also simply be hunting for a more natural look. Whatever the case, both residential swing sets and their playground cousins are undergoing considerable changes.

As outdoor swing sets go, the metal ones have always been durable, while the newer wooden sets require very specific types of maintenance to make them last. Nor have metal sets had much problem with splinters, except occasionally with the original wooden seats on the swings. But unless a metal set is made of galvanized steel that won’t rust, even this sturdy setup will deteriorate over time. And in many ways there is more risk of injury with metal. A wooden swing set may be made of more perishable materials, but it can still be safer in some cases than the metal version.

In colder climates, for example, there has always been the risk of a child’s skin becoming frozen to the metal on the older play sets. And during a hot summer, there’s the reverse problem of a child being burned by the over-heated metal. On the other hand, a swing set made of wood, while it also cools down and heats up, doesn’t hit nearly the temperature extremes as metal does. Yes, if not properly maintained, wood can be subject to rotting; however, if these sets are made of pressure treated lumber, then this decay is much less likely.

It may seem a bit shallow to prefer a wooden swing set simply for esthetic reasons, but the look of the set can also be a factor in what is chosen. Since this play structure will be a prominent feature of the back yard, it’s an advantage that the wood can be stained to match other elements of yard furniture, like a picnic or patio table and chairs, or even the fence. With the multitude of accessories and add-ons that are available, the owner can make their wood swing set into not just a play area for the kids, but a showpiece of creativity.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treatment for anxiety attacks as well as tips on the various medications for panic disorder available at anxietydisordercure.com.