Wooden vs Metal Swing Sets

Written by Gary McGeown, founder of Trampolines Ireland · Checked October 2026

A swing set is the one piece of garden play equipment that gets used almost every day, in every season. So the question most Irish parents ask is simple: which will still be safe and looking good after years of rain? Here is a fair look at wooden and metal swing sets, and what a metal BERG PlayBase swing set costs.

This page is about swing sets. For the full climbing frame comparison, see PlayBase vs wooden climbing frames.

Upkeep in Irish rain

Swing sets take a lot of movement. Every push puts load through the top beam and the legs, and in Ireland that happens in damp conditions for much of the year.

A wooden swing set needs looking after. Timber should be checked each year, treated to keep water out, and watched for soft spots where it meets the ground. Done properly, a good wooden set can last, but it is a job that never quite goes away.

The PlayBase frame is galvanised, powder-coated steel. There is no timber to rot or treat. A quick check of the carabiners, ropes and swing fittings is the main routine job — see our weather and maintenance guide.

Splinters and safety

As timber dries out and weathers, it can split and splinter, which matters on a swing where small hands grip the frame and ropes. A steel frame has no splinters. Every PlayBase frame has a 400kg maximum load, and each swing has its own user weight, from 30kg for the baby seat to 150kg for the nest swing. Full details in our weight limits guide.

Concrete vs ground anchors

Many swing sets are concreted into the ground or need a prepared base. That makes them hard to move and adds a job before the children can play.

The free-standing PlayBase frames (Medium, Large and Extra Large) are held by ground anchors, with no concrete needed. The PlayBase Wall fixes to a solid wall, such as the wall of your house or garage. More on PlayBase installation.

A swing set that grows with your children

Most swing sets are bought for one stage. The PlayBase is a frame you keep while the swings change. Start with the baby seat (from 9 months), move to swing seats from age 3, add a nest swing, trapeze or gym rings, and later swap in a pull-up bar or boxing bag for teenagers (fitness accessories are 14+).

Want more than swings? The Medium, Large and Extra Large take the Platform + Slide — see swing and slide sets.

Looks: being fair to wood

Some families simply prefer the natural look of timber, and that is a perfectly good reason to choose wood. A metal swing set has a cleaner, more modern look. The PlayBase comes in black or green, which many people find sits quietly against a hedge or lawn.

Wooden vs metal at a glance

What a PlayBase swing set costs

Euro including VAT. The hammock fits the Large only. Price your own build in the configurator or see all PlayBase prices.

Warranty

The PlayBase frame has a 10-year warranty, rising to 13 years when you register it with BERG. Accessories carry a 2-year warranty. In-stock models are delivered within 48 hours from our Irish warehouse, free on orders over €300.