Frequently asked questions
Question... What’s different or better about your work?
Answer: First, we custom-build everything on site: we work in any environment and integrate your specific needs and desires into the design. We design and build freestanding structures, structures attatched to or surrounding trees, attach new playspaces to existing decks or structures, and we stain, maintain, repair or replace older projects. Whether it’s one tree or a forest, an open back yard or an overgrown hillside, we will transform your environment into a new world!
Second, we provide top quality work for strength and durability: we sink our posts deep in concrete; we use both nails and Deckmate screws to attach deck boards, railings, joists, posts, and fencing; our playground components are almost entirely commercial grade, not residential grade or from a kit; and we follow regulation standards. Even the worst ice storms and inland hurricanes have inflicted mostly superficial damage to our work.
Third, we build for safety: we follow head entrapment standard spacing for rails, ladders and more; we install plenty of handles and grab bars for easy climbing; we bevel, miter, route and/or sand exposed corners and edges; and we suggest safety rules for use of our play spaces.
Fourth, we have decades of experience (since 1989) ... and we are friendly, honest, intuitive, educated and easy to work with. We build for all ages and we passionately believe that we are providing an extremely worthy service.
Finally, we offer great value for your dollar. While our family projects may be more expensive than kits or even other custom builders, we offer a noticeably better product for all of the aforementioned reasons. Our commercial and institutional projects are actually much less expensive than most commercial playground equipment distributors and builders even though they compete for durability and safety. If you are looking for anything besides the typical kit, we suggest you consider the options then contact us.
Question... What materials do you use?
Answer: We’ve traditionally used a combination of pressure-treated pine, with cedar or cypress for siding and fascia, untreated pine for indoor lumber, and tin or shingles for roofs. Studios, carports and screened in porches often incorporate lauan, beaded ply or T1-11.
An important development in outdoor building in the last few years has been the introduction of ACQ-treated lumber. ACQ, which stands for Alkaline Copper Quat, provides the same strength and durability of traditional CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) lumber, WITHOUT ANY CHROMIUM, ARSENIC, or other EPA listed hazardous compounds. It’s stainable and paintable and carries a limited lifetime warranty. As one of the first building companies in North Carolina to use ACQ-treated lumber, we had to order from the lone North Carolina distributor in the Triad. Fortunately, since 2004, safety regulations have required the substitution of ACQ for traditional Pressure Treated lumber in retail stores.
Our favorite recent innovation in the building industry is composite lumber. Composite lumber fuses wood pulp with synthetic materials such as recycled soda bottles. It's splinter-free, often available in multiple colors, and can be stained with traditional lumber. Nearly all of our toddler playgrounds and a growing percentage of our residential structures utilize composite lumber for decks, railing caps, ladder steps and climbing walls.
By special request, we will work with just about any material, such as the tropical hardwood, Ipe. We attempt to ascertain that we never use lumber from companies that engage in non-sustainable practices or companies that provide inferior products.
Besides quality lumber, we also use commercial grade playground components: Swings, Chain, Handles, Rings, Trapeze Bars, Slides, Firefighter Poles, S-hooks, Swing Hangers, etc. Compare our hardware with hardware provided by other companies or standard pre-fabricated kits, and you will find a big difference.
Question... What age do you build for?
Answer: Birth to retirement. Really. And we’re not just talking about decks and gazebos here. Our play structures are built adult size. Sure, our treehouses, skylofts, playhouses and playgrounds are designed predominately to enrich your children’s formative years. But you’d be amazed at how many adult-sized treehouses have been lifesavers for teenagers (and their parents), and nine-foot high swings are fun and healthy for any age. As far as we know, we’re the only play-focused building company that builds for teenagers and adults as well as for children.
Question... Can you send us a catalog?
Answer: We don’t have a catalog to send to you. We’re custom builders, dedicated to getting you outdoors in order to get you (and/or your children) into your imaginations and most creative selves.
If you want something cheap, go to the huge discount stores. If you want a "we’ve sold millions" fancy looking (at least in the catalog) structure for three-to-eight year olds, you’ve got a flat backyard, and you just want a structure to keep its shape for a few years, check out the glossy catalogs. Take a second look at the advertisements you see locally: most feature the same kits and pre-fab structures that you find in the hardware store or in the catalogs. Consider just for a moment if you want something more creative and built to last. If so, take a look at our Photo Gallery first. Then contact us. We’ll be glad to show you additional portfolios and work with you to help create a masterpiece!
Question... Can you give us any indication of your pricing structure?
Answer: The best way to get an idea about our pricing is to browse through our photo gallery, and when you find something similar to what you want tell us via the contact us form and we will email or call back with a rough quote or price range. Then we can set up a free meeting to give you a firm quote.
Question... Will you travel?
Answer: Our work centers around North Carolina’s Piedmont Region, mostly in the Triangle... We are always willing to construct larger projects nationally or internationally, though our costs will increase according to the distance. We can also consult or help you with your projects with much more ease. Get in touch and ask us directly!