Douglas wood at EXIT Toys
Our playground equipment and picnic tables are made of planed and dried, PEFC-certified, sustainable Douglas wood. This wood is a 100% natural product from European forests. Douglas wood is known for its natural resistance to wood rot and insects.
At EXIT Toys, we deliberately choose around 95% heart-free wood. This means the beams are sawn from the trunk in such a way that the heart is not positioned in the centre of the beam. This creates wood with less internal tension, which offers important benefits for the play equipment.
Heart-free Douglas wood: less tension, fewer splinters
Our Douglas beams are sawn so that the heart sits outside the centre of the beam. This way of sawing creates less tension in the wood and contributes to a stable construction.
Benefits of this method:
• Less tension in the wood, so there is less chance of deep drying cracks
• More stable play equipment that keeps its shape better
• Less risk of splinters during play
That is how we combine the natural properties of Douglas wood with a construction that stays sturdy and reliable.
Why Douglas wood turns grey and develops cracks
Wood is a living material. That means cracks can always develop, even over time. These cracks do not affect the strength of the wood. When you receive your order, the Douglas wood has a warm yellow-red colour. Under the influence of the weather, this colour will naturally turn grey over time. This is a normal process and does not affect the quality of the wood.
Would you like to preserve the original colour or give the wood extra protection against moisture and UV rays? In that case, you can treat it with a high-quality outdoor stain suitable for Douglas wood. This is not necessary, but it is possible if you would like to keep the original colour.
How is Douglas wooden play equipment anchored?
Our Douglas wooden play equipment is not buried in the ground. Instead, we use strong metal ground anchors. The galvanised metal anchor is firmly attached to the wooden leg and then placed in the ground and set in concrete. This keeps the play equipment secure and stable, even with intensive use. The bottom of the wooden leg stays just above ground level, so the wood does not come into direct contact with damp soil or fungi. This keeps the leg drier and reduces the risk of wood rot.
Warranty on Douglas playground equipment and picnic tables
Our Douglas wooden playground equipment and picnic tables are made for years of enjoyment. That is why we apply clear warranty periods for each quality line. In the overview below, you can see at a glance which warranty belongs to each quality line.
| Quality line |
Wood dimensions |
Full warranty |
Wood warranty |
| Linea 85 |
8.5 x 8.5 cm |
2 years |
2 years |
| Robust 110 |
11 x 11 cm |
2 years |
5 years |
| Massiv 140 |
14 x 14 cm |
5 years |
5 years |
| X picnic tables |
16 x 4.5 cm |
2 years |
5 years |
The full warranty applies to the construction, fittings and accessories. The wood warranty applies against wood rot and structural failure.
Warranty conditions
The warranty applies under normal domestic use and correct assembly according to the manual. This also includes using the prescribed ground anchors, so the wood does not come into direct contact with the ground.
Natural characteristics of wood are not covered by the warranty. This includes cracks, knots, resin, greying, or dark grey and black stains caused by moisture. Damage caused by incorrect assembly or poor maintenance may invalidate the wood warranty.
Buy Douglas playground equipment and picnic tables
Would you like to buy a Douglas playset or picnic table for the garden? With Douglas wooden products from EXIT Toys, you choose a natural material and a sturdy construction suitable for everyday use. Thanks to the heart-free wood, the stable build and the smart anchoring, our playground equipment and picnic tables stand firmly and reliably in the garden. View the range and discover which Douglas playset or picnic table suits your family and outdoor space.
