A simple wooden sandbox can be built relatively quickly. Even inexperienced craftsmen can do this in a weekend. Maybe you even have a supply of wood. However, before you use this, you should check whether it is treated.
Which wood is best for a sandbox?
Untreated woods such as Douglas fir, larch or robinia are best suited for a sandpit, as they are durable and resistant to rot. Alternatively, less expensive options such as spruce, pine or fir can be used, but these have a shorter lifespan.
Woods such as Douglas fir, larch or robinia are relatively long-lasting and not susceptible to rot. However, they also have their price. Spruce, pine or fir are cheaper. Although a sandbox made of this wood doesn't last as long, it is definitely suitable for construction. You can build a wooden sandpit either from boards or palisades.
How should I treat the wood for a sandbox?
It's best not to treat the wood for a sandbox at all. Many chemicals can be washed out by rain and end up in the play sand. It is not uncommon for children to actually taste their sand cake and thereby ingest dissolved chemicals. To prevent this, use untreated wood for the sandbox and only fill it with tested play sand.
How long does a wooden sandbox last?
The lifespan of a wooden sandbox depends not only on the type of wood used, but also on the location and the weather conditions there. The more often the wood gets wet, the faster it rots. Nevertheless, a sandbox made of spruce or fir should last about five to six years, and a sandbox made of robinia, larch or Douglas fir should last a few years longer.
How can I extend the life of the sandbox?
Setting up the sandbox every spring and dismantling it again in the fall makes very little sense, even if you may have already read these tips somewhere. This is impractical and expensive. It is better to protect the sandbox from the elements as much as possible. Keep the rain out with a sensible cover, which also helps against cats.
The most important things in brief:
- use untreated wood
- very durable but more expensive: robinia, Douglas fir, larch
- cheap but less durable: pine, spruce, fir
- protect from moisture/rot
Tip
If you want your sandbox to last a particularly long time, then choose the more expensive but longer-lasting types of wood such as robinia, Douglas fir or larch.
