Swing sets or playsets made of cedar are more resilient than other woods, but they are not indestructible. Applying a sealant to a cedar playset is generally recommended and can ensure its structural integrity and appearance over the long term.
A sealer is a type of sealant that is used to protect porous surfaces like cedar from moisture, UV damage, and long-term deterioration.
Advantages of Using a Sealant for a Cedar Playset
- Protection Against Moisture: Cedar contains natural oils that resist rot and insects, but the wood is still porous. A sealant can prevent rain and humidity from seeping into the wood fibers, inhibiting swelling. If a sealant is not applied the wood will shrink every time it dries which can lead to small cracks along the grain, roughening of the surface, increased risk of splinters, and warping of the boards.
- Preventing UV Degradation: Sunlight is one of the biggest threats to outdoor wood. UV rays actively break down lignin which is the adhesive that holds wood fibers together. UV rays cause silvering, which is a process that turns reddish pink cedar into dull, weathered gray. As lignin breaks down, the surface becomes brittle and wears away more easily. A tinted sealant will reflect UV rays thereby protecting the wood it covers.
- Maintaining Structural Integrity: When the moisture is kept out and fibers remain intact, you prevent the hardware (bolts and screws) from loosening. When the wood softens or cracks significantly, the grip on the fasteners weakens which can compromise the safety of the entire structure. Protect your children by protecting the cedar playset on which they play.
- Inhibiting Mold and Mildew: Even though cedar resists deep rot, the surface can host mold, mildew, and algae especially in humid areas. A sealant provides a hard, water-shedding barrier that makes it difficult for organisms to cause unsightly black or green staining.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Sealer for Cedar Playsets
Selecting the best sealer for a cedar playset is a balance between chemistry and practicality. You want to ensure you protect the structural integrity of the wood while making future maintenance as easy as possible. Below is a comprehensive guide to the criteria you should include when evaluating your options for a sealer:
Mechanism of Action
There are two primary mechanisms by which sealers for wood will act: penetration and film-forming.
Penetrating stains soak deep into the wood fibers and reside inside the grain. They don’t peel and only need a fresh coat to maintain them. As the wood expands and contracts with the weather, the sealer moves with it.
Film-forming sealers sit on top of the wood like a clear coat or paint. The primary downside to film-forming sealers is that cedar is a moving wood which expands and contracts and this movement eventually cracks the film allowing water to get trapped underneath. Once moisture is trapped underneath, it begins to peel and gray.
Opacity and UV Defense
Sunlight is more harmful to cedar than moisture or rain. UV rays actively break down lignin in the wood which is a natural glue that holds the wood fibers together.
Clear sealers offer almost zero UV protection. The wood will turn gray within months because there is no opacity to block the transmission of sunlight. If you are looking for a ‘driftwood’ look this may however be suitable for you.
Toned/Translucent sealers add a hint of natural or cedar color using tran-soxide pigments. These act like tiny mirrors that reflect the UV rays while keeping the wood grain visible. This offers a compromise between opacity and transparency.
Semi-Transparent sealers contain more pigment that hides some wood grain but offers 2-3 times the lifespan of a clear sealer.
Base Chemistry: Oil vs Water
Another divider that will split your choices between sealers is whether to select an oil-based or water-based sealer.
Oil based sealers typically penetrate deeper into the cedar which is why they also take longer to dry. Oil-based sealers should be formulated with high quality resins or else they may fail to inhibit mold growth.
Water-based sealers or acrylics dry quickly and are environmentally friendlier. High end water-based stains are excellent but cheaper versions tend to act more like film-formers.
Safety and Touch-ability
Since children are climbing and sliding on these surfaces, the chemical profile matters more than it would for a backyard fence.
Aim to look for products that have a low VOC content which essentially means Low Volatile Organic Compounds. Low VOC are safer for the applicator, children, and the environment.
Avoid sealers that contain high amounts of paraffin wax because they cause slipperiness. Wax can make wooden ladder rungs and play decks dangerously slick when damp.
Maintenance Recoat-ability
Sealing a cedar playset is not a one-time job. You will need to reseal the playset within 2-3 years’ time depending on which sealant you choose. Some products require sanding before applying the next coat.
Best Sealers for Cedar Playset:
Thompson’s WaterSeal Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Wood Stain and Sealer
Best Use: Budget and Short-Term Basic Protection
This is a suitable entry level sealant that is widely available and designed to waterproof outdoor wood. It adds a slight tint, is semi-transparent but mostly maintains a natural look.
Performance: It offers strong water resistance and moderate mildew resistance. It does not offer much UV protection and is a short-term waterproofing solution. Because it is a water-based sealer it has low-moderate VOC. It is film forming so it forms a protective layer on the surface of the wood rather than penetrating into it.
Overall: It is a good baseline option especially if you are looking for simple moisture protection short-term.
Ready Seal Exterior Wood Stain & Sealer
Best Use: Balance of Protection + Ease of Use
This is a suitable oil-based stain and sealant combo that enhances the wood color while providing adequate protection.
Performance: This is an easy to apply stain + sealant that requires no priming, diluting, thinning or back brushing. It offers a durable, natural looking finish with strong moisture protection and decent UV resistance. It promises a streak-free finish with zero lap marks. It does carry a pigment but there are multiple colors available to match your cedar playset such as natural cedar, natural light oak, pecan, and redwood. Furthermore, it does not require sanding or stripping for reapplication.
Overall: This does contain a higher VOC content since it is oil based so you need to afford it plenty of time to dry before using the playset. However, this option is a good blend of performance and ease.
Seal Once Marine Wood Sealer
Best Use: Safety + Moisture Protection
SEAL-ONCE Marine is a premium, water-based penetrating wood sealer that is designed for extreme outdoor conditions particularly high moisture environments like docks, decks and outdoor structures. The main strengths of this sealer are that is has very low VOC content, penetrates deeply into the wood, and offers robust waterproofing.
Performance: SEAL-ONCE is a leader in moisture protection, making it is primary strength. It also offers deep penetration making this type of a sealer a unique and powerful combination. Many user reviews indicate the water does not get past the waterproof barrier indicating a strong water resistance capability.
It also offers an ultra-low VOC content making it safe for use around pets, children, and plants. It is also engineered to resist water, mold, mildew, decay, and even saltwater exposure.
You can get this product in clear or pigmented stains. The clear version does not offer UV protection while the pigmented stains do. The Seal Once Marine Wood Sealer is available in bronze cedar, coastal gray, or natural wood pigments. It may also require a sprayer to apply because the formula is relatively thin and difficult to apply evenly with a brush.
Overall: SEAL ONCE Marine is a suitable option if environmental safety, waterproofing, and UV protection are the main objectives.
DEFY Extreme Wood Stain & Sealer
Best Use: Premium + High Performance Option
This sealer offers the best of all worlds with excellent moisture protection, strong UV resistance, and low VOC content.
Performance: It is a water based, semi-transparent stain + sealant that is designed for long-lasting outdoor protection. This is the ideal option where you get performance and safety in one bundle. It offers comparable durability to oil based products but with less toxicity. The semi-transparent, penetrating stain provides superior UV blocking. It is also longer lasting than basic sealers which reduces maintenance cycles.
Overall: This is a good all-around option that is available in a range of colors from butternut, driftwood gray, cedar tone, redwood, light walnut, and natural pine. It’s also affordably priced so you can get maximum value for your money.
How to Apply a Wood Stain Sealer to a Cedar Playset
Once you have selected a wood stain sealer based of the selection criteria and provided recommendations, you can follow this process to safely apply your sealer to your cedar playset.
Step 1: Clean the Surface Thoroughly
Before applying the stain sealer, the wood must be clean and dry. Remove dirt, dust, and debris using a brush or broom and wash the surface with mild soap or a wood cleaner. Rinse the soap thoroughly with water and allow 24-48 hours for the wood to completely dry. Avoid applying stain to damp wood because it will prevent proper absorption and lead to uneven application.
Step 2: Inspect and Sand the Wood
Cedar playsets may have rough spots, splinters, or old finishes. Using 120-150 grit sandpaper, lightly sand the rough areas especially in high contact areas like railings, ladders, and platforms. Remove the sanding dust with a cloth or blower. Sanding will improve stain penetration and create a smoother surface.
Step 3: Wait for the Right Conditions
Stain sealers are best applied during optimal weather conditions. Select a day when the temperature is between 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F) and avoid direct sunlight during application. Ensure rain is not forecasted for at least 24 hours.
Step 4: Apply the Wood Stain Sealer
Stir the product thoroughly before use and apply a thin, even coat along the wood grain using a brush, roller, or sprayer. Thin coats tend to penetrate better and reduce blotching.
Step 5: Allow Proper Drying Time
Allow proper drying time before use. Most water-based sealers will dry in 4-24 hours while oil-based sealers may take 24-48 hours. Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific drying times.
Step 6: Apply a Second Coat (Optional)
A second coat can improve durability and appearance. Wait until the first coat is fully dry and then apply another thin, even layer. Not all products require a second coat so check the label if it’s required.
Step 7: Reapply Every 1-3 Years.
Perform an annual inspection for fading or dry spots. Reapply every 1-2 years for water-based sealers and every 2-3 years for oil-based sealers. Regular maintenance avoids long-term damage.
Conclusion
We have provided a set of criteria for selecting the best sealant for cedar playsets, offered some product recommendations, and provided instructions for application. You can take this information and behave like an intelligent consumer to purchase the desired product of your choice. Semi-transparent stains will offer the best UV protection. Penetrating sealers will offer the best moisture protection. Water based sealers will offer the best safety and environmental protection.
If you enjoyed this article, like it or share it on social media with your friends, family, and followers.
