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4050 West River Dr., Comstock Park 616-785-8000
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What form of site preparation is required?
In order to install your Rainbow Play System in a proper manner, we require that you have a level or flat surface to install 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 in order to maintain the structural integrity of you play system, we do request that you have your resilient surface installed prior to the installation of you play system. In the case of rubber chips, installation after the play system is installed is ideal.
Are Rainbow Play Systems canopies available for non-Rainbow play systems?
The red, yellow, and blue canopies a top for all Rainbow’s play sets are a trademark of Rainbow Play Systems and come only in specific sized.
What type of surfacing do you recommend to put underneath the set?
We encourage our customers to use some form of resilient surfacing. We suggest some form of wood mulch, sand, peddle rocks or rubble mulch.
What is Rainbow Play Systems exclusive Safety Scoop Slide?
The Safety Scoop slide is a straight slide manufactured from UV-stabilized high density polyethylene which is the same exact 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.
What is the advantage of using vinyl-dipped steel over powder-coated metal?
A rainbow play system starts with a ¼" steel pipe for all their ladder rungs. These rungs are then either vinyl-dipped or powder coated. The vinyl-dipped rung has a layer of insulation in the form of a 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..
What is your opinion on building one myself?
Building one from scratch can be a rewarding project; however, the time, effort and expense add up much faster that 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.
Does the ground need to be level?
The ground should e 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 you play system arrives. This way, not only are you protecting our child from a potentially harmful fall, but also eliminating the un-level yard issue. If you have a questions about you yard, please ask a member of our sales staff for assistance.
What are the benefits of notched wooden brackets?
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.
Why are there no weight restrictions on a Rainbow Play System?
Weight restrictions are based on the amount of support the main structural beams offer. This is 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.
What is through-bolt construction?
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 strong, reliable joints allow 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.
What type of maintenance is required for the play systems?
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 you play structure as needed with Rainbow sealer, available at all Factory Direct Showrooms, to keep it looking new. With normal 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 safe enjoyment of your play system for years to come.
Pressure treated lumber is less expensive. Why should I purchase a play system made from redwood and cedar?
Most pressure treated lumber is made from Southern Yellow Pine, fairly 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. In order 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 decay and insects, they do not prevent or reduce splintering and cracking. Redwood and cedar’s natural resistance to decay and insects makes it a logical choice when faced with the possibility of chemical-related hazards.
What type of lumber do you use?
Rainbow Play Systems uses 100% natural redwood and western red cedar, only from certified sawmills and grown in Washington and Western Canada. We do not import our wood from overseas. These Woods are naturally more insect and decay resistant and tend to split, check, splinter and warp less than other commonly used woods.
In order to install your Rainbow Play System in a proper manner, we require that you have a level or flat surface to install 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 in order to maintain the structural integrity of you play system, we do request that you have your resilient surface installed prior to the installation of you play system. In the case of rubber chips, installation after the play system is installed is ideal.
Are Rainbow Play Systems canopies available for non-Rainbow play systems?
The red, yellow, and blue canopies a top for all Rainbow’s play sets are a trademark of Rainbow Play Systems and come only in specific sized.
What type of surfacing do you recommend to put underneath the set?
We encourage our customers to use some form of resilient surfacing. We suggest some form of wood mulch, sand, peddle rocks or rubble mulch.
What is Rainbow Play Systems exclusive Safety Scoop Slide?
The Safety Scoop slide is a straight slide manufactured from UV-stabilized high density polyethylene which is the same exact 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.
What is the advantage of using vinyl-dipped steel over powder-coated metal?
A rainbow play system starts with a ¼" steel pipe for all their ladder rungs. These rungs are then either vinyl-dipped or powder coated. The vinyl-dipped rung has a layer of insulation in the form of a 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..
What is your opinion on building one myself?
Building one from scratch can be a rewarding project; however, the time, effort and expense add up much faster that 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.
Does the ground need to be level?
The ground should e 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 you play system arrives. This way, not only are you protecting our child from a potentially harmful fall, but also eliminating the un-level yard issue. If you have a questions about you yard, please ask a member of our sales staff for assistance.
What are the benefits of notched wooden brackets?
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.
Why are there no weight restrictions on a Rainbow Play System?
Weight restrictions are based on the amount of support the main structural beams offer. This is 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.
What is through-bolt construction?
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 strong, reliable joints allow 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.
What type of maintenance is required for the play systems?
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 you play structure as needed with Rainbow sealer, available at all Factory Direct Showrooms, to keep it looking new. With normal 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 safe enjoyment of your play system for years to come.
Pressure treated lumber is less expensive. Why should I purchase a play system made from redwood and cedar?
Most pressure treated lumber is made from Southern Yellow Pine, fairly 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. In order 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 decay and insects, they do not prevent or reduce splintering and cracking. Redwood and cedar’s natural resistance to decay and insects makes it a logical choice when faced with the possibility of chemical-related hazards.
What type of lumber do you use?
Rainbow Play Systems uses 100% natural redwood and western red cedar, only from certified sawmills and grown in Washington and Western Canada. We do not import our wood from overseas. These Woods are naturally more insect and decay resistant and tend to split, check, splinter and warp less than other commonly used woods.