What better way to keep young children entertained, engaged and safe than a playhouse in their own garden? But when it comes to choosing the right children’s garden playhouse, there are several factors to consider, including whether to go for timber or plastic.
Plastic playhouses
Although easy to construct, plastic playhouses tend to be smaller than their wooden counterparts, with a lower head height. Younger children will be more than happy but are likely to physically outgrow the playhouse before they outgrow it emotionally which could involve the expense of another, larger model. Plastic playhouses are usually brightly coloured but that can come at a cost to their aesthetic over time; plastic will fade in UV light (sunshine) leaving the playhouse looking faded and sad. Your child’s playhouse needs to be robust and able to withstand the rigours of enthusiastic play. If one of the plastic panels develops a crack, it can be extremely difficult to repair, and the playhouse may have to be replaced.
Wooden garden playhouses
Wooden playhouses are strong, and durable enough to withstand not only the most boisterous of children but also extreme weather conditions. Available in a variety of sizes and configurations, a wooden playhouse is likely to endure far beyond your children outgrowing it and can be painted to change its look; the princess castle this year can easily be replaced by the superhero den next year, with only a lick of paint, and could even be transformed into a teenagers’ hangout further down the line. A wooden playhouse is much more traditional in appearance and will blend into a traditional garden very well while feeling like a ‘grown up’ space for the children, with features such as glazed windows, verandahs and even an upstairs!
Design features of wooden garden playhouses
Doors – traditionally-styled closable doors, with quality door furniture give an air of authenticity. Be aware, however, that a playhouse is not a storage shed and should not be used to store anything of value.
Glazed windows – timber playhouses feature styrene glazed windows for safety and the inclusion of glazing is both stylish and practical, allowing the playhouse to be fully utilised in bad weather.
Verandah – the addition of a verandah, as in the Playaway model, lends the playhouse an alpine air, making it more chalet-like and quaint.
Two storeys – luxury wooden playhouses such as the Playaway Swiss Cottage, feature a mezzanine upper floor, accessed by a step ladder which can effectively increase the footprint of the play area considerably. Wooden railings ensure children will be safe while on the upper level.
Roof – depending on the way the playhouse is to be used, you should consider either an apex or a pent roof, the latter lending itself more to a rugged military outpost for example. All our wooden playhouses feature an apex roof for a more traditional look and feel.
Where to site a playhouse
It’s important to choose the perfect spot for a playhouse and you should consider the following:
Level site – wherever possible, the playhouse should be sited on level ground. As with a timber shed, we recommend installing a concrete or paving slab base and our blog What foundations are needed to install a garden shed? will help with this. A level, solid base will extend the life of your playhouse, as siting it directly onto a grassed area will lead to the wooden floor becoming damp and rotting prematurely.
Surrounding area – wherever possible, leave a 1 metre gap around the playhouse. This will facilitate the construction and ensure that there are no boundary walls, fences or other structures close enough for children to injure themselves. Later, this gap will also enable you to maintain the playhouse by giving enough room to apply regular timber stain and preserver.
A playhouse with a view – while the children will want to feel separate in their own space, parents will want to be able to keep a watchful eye (particularly with younger children), so find a position in view of the house.
Do you need planning permission for a playhouse?
A playhouse is classed as a temporary structure and does not need planning permission. However, it is always better to check government guidelines first, as a particularly large model shouldn’t block a neighbour’s view.
Help children to use their imagination in truly creative play with a wooden playhouse that will last them for years to come, but please leave sufficient time if ordering for a specific occasion as made to order items currently have a 6-8 weeks lead time. For further advice, please call on 01205 359188 and we will be happy to help.