Play House Assembly Manual FAQs:
1. Does the area for the play house need to be level? Yes. We recommend the play house
be positioned on a flat level area for maximum safety and durability. Any stakes provided should be used to
secure it firmly to the ground.
2. What size area is recommended for the play house? We recommend at least a 6’ (six foot)
perimeter around and above the play house for maximum safety.
3. What age range is appropriate for the play houses? The play houses are recommended for
children ages 2 – 10 years.
4. Is the wood treated with chemicals? Backyard Discovery uses 100% Chinese Cedar wood which is naturally
bug resistant, decay and rot resistant. To help ensure your child’s safety, our wood is completely chemical free
and we do not use pressure-treated wood. The stain we use is a top coat using a water-based product that is
for appearance only.
5. How often should the play house be stained? We recommend the play house be stained
once each year. A water or oil based stain can be used at the customer’s discretion.
6. Why does it seem that my play house is developing cracks? Wood is a natural material; no two pieces are
exactly alike. Each piece has its own characteristics and personality and reacts differently to climate changes.
When any wood product is exposed to the elements, it develops “wood checks”. A check is the radial
separation of the wood fibers running with the grain of the wood. These are caused by the varying temperature
and moisture conditions. A check is not a crack – it does not affect the strength or durability of the wood or
structural integrity of the play house.
7. What is the best way to get started assembling the play house? We recommend taking all
the parts out of the boxes and arranging them by part number before you begin any assembly. This will not
only allow faster assembly, but will also identify any parts that may be missing or damaged so they can be
replaced before assembly.
8. The play house seems to rock or sway too much. What’s wrong? Rocking is caused by uneven ground or
obstructions such as rocks, roots, etc. under the ground rails. These should be removed and the ground
underneath re-leveled to prevent rocking. Also ensure the play house is securely staked to the ground using
any stakes provided.
9. The 2”x4” boards do not measure 2”x 4”. Why not? It is common practice to describe lumber
dimensions using the rough cut sizes from the sawmill and not the finished dimensions. Retailers, home stores,
etc. all use this accepted practice for describing lumber dimensions. However, Backyard Discovery play
houses are designed and constructed using the actual dimensions so everything fits properly and remains so
during the life of the play house.
