Playset FAQs

Rainbow Play Systems uses Cedar and Redwood.

Most pressure-treated lumber is made from Southern Yellow Pine, somewhat brittle softwood. Pine has a reputation for severe splintering and checking (cracking) under all weather conditions and is highly susceptible to insect infestation and decay. To reduce the risk of decay and insect damage, chemicals, such as arsenic and chromium or ammonia and copper, are injected into the wood. There is considerable debate as to the safety and durability of pressure-treated lumber. Studies show extreme leaching of the chemicals out of the wood, and the treating process can alter the molecular make-up of the wood, weakening its structural integrity. While the chemicals render the wood resistant to decay and insects, they do not prevent or reduce splintering and cracking. Redwood and cedar's natural resistance to rot and insects makes it a logical choice when faced with the possibility of chemical-related hazards.

The play systems come with a lifetime warranty against wood rot, insect damage, or structural failure. The lumber has been pre-stained and sealed at the factory, with a non-toxic water-based sealer giving the wood a beautiful red finish. We do recommend re-sealing your play structure as needed with Rainbow sealer, available at all Factory Direct Showrooms, to keep it looking new. With regular use and as the wood expands and contracts with the weather, some of the bolts may loosen. We suggest checking and tightening all nuts and bolts within 60 days of installation — also, every 4-6 months re-checking and tightening as needed. The systems through-bolt construction allows you to tighten these bolts as often as necessary without risking the structural integrity of your play system. We also recommend cleaning tarps, slides, swings, ladder rungs, etc. as needed to help ensure the safe enjoyment of your play system for years to come.

The best way to secure two or more beams together is to use a carriage bolt that passes through all the pieces of wood and is fastened at the end with some type of locking means, such as a lock washer and nut. This is through-bolt construction. This method provides secure, reliable joints and allows the bolts to be adjusted as many times as necessary without weakening the structural integrity of the system. Through-bolt construction also allows the system to be disassembled or reassembled without damage. Good news if you decide to move and take your play system with you.

Weight restrictions are based on the amount of support the main structural beams offer. Weight restrictions get decided by beam size and placement. Rainbow Play Systems and their team of architectural engineers have combined the largest beams available with sound structural design to allow the whole family to enjoy these structures.

These brackets are designed to gain maximum support by bracing wood against wood and reduce the force placed on the bolts holding the system together. The notches help ensure a long-lasting and durable structure.

The ground should be relatively level; however, there are several features on the unit that can be adjusted to accommodate a minimal grade. Rainbow Play Systems is the only company to offer extended ladders and "A"-frame legs to allow for installation on a slope. Also, several components have built-in adjustable features. The best way to accommodate an un-level yard is by installing a safety surfacing before your play system arrives. This way, not only are you protecting your child from a potentially harmful fall, but also eliminating the un-level yard issue. If you have a question about your yard, please ask a member of our sales staff for assistance.

Building one from scratch can be a rewarding project; however, the time, effort, and expense add up much faster than you might think. Finding quality lumber is difficult, and once you find it, buying it piece by piece adds up quickly. Also, it is rough lumber; the wood isn't routered and has not been planed. It takes a significant amount of time to prepare the lumber so it is smooth, to make sure the corners are all rounded and the holes are recessed. Many of the safety features of the systems are not available at a hardware store, such as the vinyl-dipped ladders and plates. If a weekend project is what you're looking for, complete assembly instructions are available with each system.

The vinyl-dipped rung has a layer of insulation in the form of commercial-grade liquid vinyl and provides a non-slip surface. The powder-coated rung is covered in a special type of powdered paint that is baked into place, not offering any kind of non-slip surface, and with time and weather may chip off.

The Super Slide is a straight slide manufactured from UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene, which is the same material used in commercial playgrounds for over 20 years. The elbow design landing offers a safer, easier exit, and the edges are rounded for added safety. A thicker mold and higher sidewalls provide a steady, safe journey from beginning to end.

We encourage our customers to use some form of resilient surfacing. We suggest some kind of wood mulch or rubber mulch.

The canopies atop all Rianbow's playsets are made for RainbowPlay Systems and come only in specific sizes. Separate colored tarps are available but not kept in stock.

To install your Rainbow Play System properly, we require that you have a level or flat surface to mount your structure on. For safety reasons, we recommend some form of resilient playground surfacing. Because Rainbow Play Systems are designed to sit on top of the ground and to maintain the structural integrity of your play system, we do request that you have your resilient surface installed before the installation of your play system. The installation of rubber chips is ideal after the play system is installed. If your site is unprepared when we arrive to install your play system, you will be charged a trip fee, and we will reschedule your installation for a later date.

To install your Rainbow Play System properly, we require that you have a level or flat surface to mount your structure on. For safety reasons, we recommend some form of resilient playground surfacing. Because Rainbow Play Systems are designed to sit on top of the ground and to maintain the structural integrity of your play system, we do request that you have your resilient surface installed before the installation of your play system. The installation of rubber chips is ideal after the play system is installed. If your site is unprepared when we arrive to install your play system, you will be charged a trip fee, and we will reschedule your installation for a later date.

At Goalsetter, we are dedicated to producing the absolute best basketball hoops in the world. No compromises ... no excuses! Goalsetter goals are so durable they are used in city parks, schools, and camps across the globe, yet practical enough to be installed in your driveway or backyard. They're built for heavy use and to withstand the elements! With a simple turn of the Height Adjustment Handle, Goalsetter goals will infinitely adjust for maximum skill development and enjoyment. The performance of the patented Compression Lift System provides a smooth transition at any height & has proven to be superior to pull or winch systems. Two to three people can accomplish the Installation and Assembly of the Goalsetter goal without the use of ladders or scaffold. The patented ground anchor hinge system allows complete assembly of the Goalsetter goal before it is raised upright.

The differences between the goals are in pole size, pole design, backboard size, height adjustability, and warranties. Please refer to the comparison chart for specific details.

Unlike many basketball goals, the Goalsetter System does not use a pole-in-the-ground method or "J" bolts assembly. Each Goalsetter System is anchored using our patented ground anchor hinge system. First, the 4' ground anchor is placed in a 4' deep hole (18" diameter) and secured using QuickCrete. When dry, the hinge system allows complete assembly of the Goalsetter goal before it is raised upright and bolted to the ground anchor.

Acrylic backboards are most commonly used in residential settings. This board is clear, giving the appearance of glass. Next, to glass, this board has the best ball response. It carries a 10-year warranty. Polycarbonate boards are most often the choice of parks, playgrounds, schools, and other institutional settings where purposeful vandalism may occur. This board is clear and carries a lifetime warranty. Glass backboards are for the customer who desires the same ball response found in an indoor gymnasium competition setting. Steel backboards are most often the choice of schools, parks, and other institutional settings where purposeful vandalism may occur.

Yes, each Goalsetter Systems basketball goal comes standard with a 3/8" Competition Tempered Glass Backboard.

Single Ring Static: This is the basic single ring rim. It is static and does not give. Double Ring Static: This rim is the strongest available and is the choice of many schools, parks, and other institutional customers. This rim will not give and carries an unconditional lifetime warranty. Heavy Duty Reflex: This is the rim most commonly chosen by our residential customers. This is a break-away style rim and is more than sufficient for most residential play. Ultra Reflex: This rim is a break-away style rim. It will bend at 30 lbs. and is recommended for customers who want the rim to give when children dunk. It carries a 5-year warranty. Collegiate Break-Away: This is a competition break-away rim. It will bend at 150-180 lbs. on a spring. This rim carries a 5-year warranty. Note: All of these are made for dunking. They are mounted to a steel plate, not to the backboard itself.

Yes, you can! All Goalsetter Systems have a universal ground anchor. When you move, you simply take the system off of the existing ground anchor and purchase only a new anchor to install at your new home.

This decision is up to you! Two or three people can accomplish the Installation and Assembly of the Goalsetter goal without the use of ladders or scaffold. The patented ground anchor hinge system allows complete assembly of the Goalsetter goal before it is raised upright. The most challenging task during the installation of a Goalsetter goal is digging the hole. Each goal features our patented ground anchor. First, a four-foot deep hole (18-inch diameter) must be dug where you would like your basketball goal located. After placing your ground anchor into the hole, fill it with QuickCrete (10-12 bags). When the cement is completely dry (usually two days is sufficient), the pole structure, backboard, and rim can be assembled and raised upright. Most of our dealers also offer installation as an option for an additional fee.

Complete Warranty Information

Contact is more likely with height-adjustable basketball systems. Padding will provide protection when your backyard game gets rough.

What is the Basketball Court Stencil Kit, and how does it work?

The Basketball Court Stencil is a kit that allows you to create regulation basketball court markings on your playing surface easily. A free-throw line, lane markings, and a 3-point line can be easily marked without using complicated measuring and guesswork. The kit includes six marked pattern sheets that are easily spread across the surface, a paint roller, and complete instructions. All you need is 1 quart of paint (light color on asphalt or dark color on concrete), a pan for paint, 2" masking tape, string (10 feet), and a nail or pen.

YES! Falls cause 75% of all injuries attributed to play systems. Most of these injuries could be easily prevented. Aside from protecting your children, mulching your play system makes it much easier to cut the grass, prevents mud from developing under the play system, and protects the play system from being damaged by the lawn mover or weed eaters.

No! Rubber Mulch is non-toxic and non-allergenic. The non-abrasive texture of rubber mulch is unlikely to cause an injury if a child puts it in their mouth and chews on it. As with all surfacing products, we encourage parents not to let children chew or swallow any Rubber Mulch product.

No. Rubber Mulch does not absorb water and will not become compact, so water drains through it. One of the best attributes of Rubber Mulch is that approximately 30 minutes after it rains, kids can go back out and play. Rubber Mulch will also not freeze during winter.

Any type of surfacing product can become warm on very hot days. Since Rubber Mulch does not become compact, it has room for air to circulate. These pockets of air allow the heat to escape keeping the mulch cooler than expected.

Rubber Mulch is made of 100% rubber. Since it doesn't decompose, Rubber Mulch usually will not require any additional purchases. Since black Rubber Mulch is made from black tires, if it does fade, it will be slight and most likely unnoticeable.

We do not offer a warranty on our rubber mulch.

The average difference is 8-10 degrees

In most cases, we recommend installing Rubber Mulch on top of your existing yard. Just put down typical landscape fabric and spread the mulch over it. Unlike wood mulch products which are organic and decompose to create fertilizer, Rubber Mulch is inorganic and will naturally inhibit grass from growing once applied.

Rubber Mulch is sold in 40lb bags. This makes a delivery or pick up very easy. Unlike bulk products, no special equipment is needed for transporting or spreading Rubber Mulch.

We recommend a 12 x 3/8 landscape spike, which is handled by Home Depot. If you can't find this you can use a 10 x 3/8 landscape spike.

The timber has a 10-year warranty against structural failure (chipping, splitting, cracking)during normal use.

No, the redwood timber is produced using red rubber so it will not fade or chip to black.

SLRT is made using an injection mold process. This process does not use glue to bond the rubber. Other timbers are made with a compression process which uses glue. Over time the glue will break down from the sun and UV rays. As the glue breaks down, the timber will fall apart.

This can be answered in two ways. While the timbers may seem to have a high initial price per piece, their durability and ease of installation make them much closer in cost to wood borders. When you consider the other advantages of SLRT; no splinters, no need to paint or seal, rounded top for safety, free of all harmful chemicals, weed eaters will not damage them, 10 year warranty and once again the ease of installation {malleable, recessed pre-drilled holes, interlocking ends}, when you factor in all of the advantages of SLRT it really is your families best choice.

1. Build the play system first. {if the surface is level you can lay the fabric first but is digging is needed during installation lay the fabric first}
2. Lay down the timbers where you will need them (don.t spike them down yet)
3. Lay down the fabric. On the edge, put the fabric under the timbers in the middle make sure to use a landscape staple to keep the fabric down
4. Spike down the timbers
5. Open the bags of mulch and spread. We recommend you start and the timbers and spread the mulch towards the center. Remember to use less mulch in play zones and more mulch in fall zones.

Springfree™ is a rod based trampoline using strong, flexible fiberglass rods instead of springs. Imagine a circle of fishing rods standing upright with their handles stuck firmly in the ground. If you bent them all in towards the center and connected the tops of them with a tight material, you would have a workable trampoline. If you landed on the edge, you would spike yourself on the end of a rod - not a good thing. So instead of the rods standing upright, they have all been leaned over. They still have the ends bent towards the center, so they still keep the mat tight. But if you land on the end of a leaned over rod, you cannot spike yourself. Instead, the end of the rod is just pushed down. This gives a relatively soft and safe edge to the mat.

Springfree™ Trampoline is more bouncy than a round trampoline with springs. Rectangular spring trampolines tend to be a little more bouncy than round spring trampolines, but children generally don.t notice the difference unless they are specifically asked. The fiberglass rods deliver a performance superior to springs.

The edge is not as soft as the center. But it has up to 350mm of give in it. Testing to USA ASTM standards shows the Springfree™ Trampoline edge is over 20 times softer than what is required by the standard.

The edge is designed as a resilient surface that is safe to land on. It is not designed as a bouncing surface. It is not as bouncy as the center, but it does have some bounce in it. We recommend that for best bouncing you should stay near the center of the mat, and consider the edge as a safety feature rather than a play area.

The design team is aware that sometimes fiberglass products cause irritation when handled, as micro-glass fibers get into the skin. To prevent this happening, all the hi-tech fiberglass rods in the Springfree™ Trampoline are housed in a light plastic sheath. This not only protects you from skin irritation, but it also protects the plastic in the rods from UV deterioration.

The Springfree™ Trampoline does not have safety pads around the edge because it doesn't need them. The edge itself has much more give in it than normal safety pads. In fact, the Springfree™ Trampoline edge is nearly equivalent to the 70mm thick padding used at the ends of Olympic gymnastic trampolines. Conventional trampolines require safety pads to protect the jumper from falling on the steel frame, falling through between the springs, or getting caught in the springs. The Springfree™ Trampoline design has removed these elements completely, so there is nothing to pad over.

While some other trampoline companies have added safety enclosures to their products, they haven't addressed the dangerous springs and steel frame at the jumping surface. Basic enclosures are also likely to redirect wayward jumpers back onto the springs and frame. They also use steel rods to create the enclosure skeleton, which introduces another impact risk. Springfree™ is the only trampoline that addresses these impact zones, removing them completely from the trampoline design. By incorporating a safe FlexiNet™ that redirects jumpers back to the center of the trampoline, and removing all hard edges from the jumping surface, Springfree™ Trampoline is the only safe jumping option.

Yes! Recent figures show that over 100,000 North American kids end up in hospital emergency departments after an injury on traditional trampolines every year. Independent tests show your child has a 99% chance of suffering a minor injury if they impact the springs and frame of a traditional style trampoline, even if it meets the recommended safety standards. The same tests show your child has a less than 1% chance of the same type of injury on a Springfree™ Trampoline.

Springfree™ Trampoline has engineered out the dangerous elements that traditionally cause trampoline injuries. Serious collisions can occur if more than one person jumps at a time. To ensure your family avoids injuries, enforce the one at a time rule when using the Springfree™ Trampoline.

• R54 Compact Round 16ft x 16ft
• R79 Medium Round 18ft x 18ft
• O77 Medium Oval 16ft x 19ft
• O92 Large Oval 16ft x 21ft
• S113 Large Square 19ft x 19ft
• S155 Large Square 21ft x 21ft

The recommended weight is a mid-range recommendation weight that we feel is safe for normal jumpers. If the individual is close to this weight, you should ensure that when they're bouncing actively, the mat does not touch the ground at the bottom of the bounce. Once you have assessed this with your family, if you're concerned, you can contact us, and we can provide you with alternatives.