At present I’m so excited to share with you the total swing set transformation that you could have seen bits and items of over on my Instagram. I had been searching for a swing set for the youngsters for a short while however shortly moved my search to Fb Market once I realized how loopy expensice they are often. Then I remembered one among our babysitters had one they have been greater than keen to half methods with. It simply wanted slightly little bit of repairs, which was completely high-quality for us and meant we had a brand new undertaking to work on 😉
BEFORE PHOTOS
Structurally it was nonetheless in fairly respectable form. We solely needed to exchange a number of rotted boards!
REPAIR THE ROOF
The unique roof had seen higher days and was coated in moss-type progress. We began by taking all the outdated shingles off and including new plywood. I laid down roofing felt to guard from any moisture and leaks. A tip I’ve for laying down the felt is to depart a 4-6 in. seam overlap with the flaps opened downward for the rain to scrub down the edges so it doesn’t pile up beneath the seams. As an alternative of utilizing nails, I used a enjoyable new device referred to as a Hammer Tack! This makes use of staples as a substitute of nails, that means it protects children palms from being damage from any nails penetrating the wooden. Be sure to provide the device a tough smack to be sure that staples lay flat!
When putting in shingles, all the time begin from the underside up. I used an offset brick sample. And as a substitute of utilizing a sealer or particular product to complete the height of the roof, I used spare items and minimize them to suit and overlap the place wanted. Lastly, I marked the perimeters that wanted to be minimize with chalk and trimmed them to even them out.
PAINTING AND STAINING
I prepped the swing set by energy washing the entire thing to get all the grime and mud off. Whereas the roof was nonetheless off, I painted it the identical shade as our home, which is Sherwin Williams SuperPaint that was shade matched to Benjamin Moore Blacktop.
Then I moved onto the remainder of the swing set. In the event you thought it’d be simpler to spray it, you’d be proper. However I actually love with the ability to get into all the nooks and crannies with a brush. I painted most of it with one coat after which went again by and touched up some areas after it dried.
I needed to provide it some wooden accents so I stained the ladder a darkish wooden shade utilizing Varathane Darkish Walnut Gel Stain. After which I added brass accents by spray portray the handles.
NEW WOOD SWINGS
Let’s begin with the infant swing that we made out of $10 value of stakes! So most of the child swings I used to be searching for have been so costly. I needed it to be sturdy, purposeful, but additionally look good. So we constructed our personal and you may watch the entire technique of our baby swing tutorial on my Instagram.
The big kid swings are from Amazon. I can be trustworthy, the evaluations on these have been blended. However I ended up going with them as a result of the primary unfavorable suggestions was that the end wears off shortly and I had a sense I used to be going to stain them anyhow. The youngsters had blended evaluations as effectively once we bought them. They have been a tad slippery, however as soon as they have been on them they appeared to have enjoyable. However the end did begin to put on off fairly shortly so maintain that in thoughts in case you’re planning to get them organized. To refinish them I sanded them down and stained them utilizing Varathane Dark Walnut Gel Stain and sealed them with Spar Urethane.
PAVERS + POLYMERIC SAND
As an alternative of doing the standard sandbox space beneath, which I knew would grow to be an on the spot catastrophe and mess, I made a decision to make slightly seating space out of left over pavers we had in our yard.
I laid the big sq. pavers (which had been sitting in our yard for years) in two rows within the heart and created a border with smaller squares across the sides.
Then I poured Polymeric Sand by Techniseal within the cracks and joints between the pavers and swept it to make it even. The surplus was blown off with a leaf blower. To solidify the sand, you’ll use water. I added water to the sand and paver space in intervals. So I did 30 seconds of watering adopted by a number of second of no water and repeated that. Then I took my leaf blower and unfold the water round to the edges and corners so it may soak in evenly and wouldn’t go away a haze on the pavers. Then you definately let it dry! As soon as it’s dry it ought to grow to be rock stable!
Aspect observe: There have been black specks within the sand I had which have been sudden, however the closing look with the specks was okay as a result of it was only for the swing set & exterior.
PICNIC TABLE
I bought a mini kids picnic table to place beneath the swing set and it match completely. I ended up staining it the identical shade because the swings and ladder, which turned out nice. Then as soon as it dried I put it on the pavers and it was prepared to be used!
CUSTOM SIGN
Initially the concept was to take the signal to the library and use their GlowForge to engrave it. Sadly it was down. So I reached out to a neighborhood firm Zappia Wood Creations and so they engraved it for me. The very best half about it’s that I used Eloise’s handwriting. I had her write “The Tremendous Membership,” then I entered it into the pc and made a font out of it. So it’s much more particular now!
FINISHING TOUCHES
I knew I needed so as to add a wooden flower box beneath the window, and initially I used to be going to construct one, however I occurred to search out the right one at Lowe’s. As soon as it was screwed into place, I added fake flowers and greenery from Michael’s.
By the picnic desk, Dan constructed a wall with two little cabinets that I painted the identical shade. These are for playthings, just like the cups I purchased them, to take a seat on.
I hung solar string lights from beneath the place the pavers and picnic desk sit. That means they’ve slightly mild when it will get darker out. Plus I simply assume it provides such a cute contact.
I do know these are all “small particulars” however they aren’t solely issues that make me glad, they’re issues I do know will make the youngsters glad. I’m all about particulars, so why not spend slightly additional time to make one thing additional particular!
The Tremendous Membership is open and prepared for enterprise and this swing set transformation is full! It’s already so liked by the youngsters! It’s such a particular little place for them to hang around for years to come back. I do know it might want contact ups ultimately right here and there, however it’s so value it to provide a undertaking your all and put every thing into it, particularly if you understand it’ll be part of so many reminiscences.
