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Original poster

Wooden garden playhouse

33 replies

nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 20:32

We are looking for one for DD's (4 and 2) to play in. I've found some resonably priced ones, but the reviews say that the wood is rough and split and needs sanding. I can't be arsed with that! Can anyone recommend a good manufacturer or indeed a good playhouse with opening windows and lots of light.

OP posts:
nappyzoneloveslindor · 03/04/2010 20:34

We got one from b and q about 3 years ago - very light and bright and wasnt extortionate. We havent sanded it but it did need staining. I will try and link to one.

nappyzoneloveslindor · 03/04/2010 20:39

this one.

The doorway is just starting to get to low for my tall 7 yr old so watch out as some are alot lower and adults dont stand a chance anyway - i have nearly knocked myself out on numerous occasions. The windows are quie big and enough for the kids to climb through when they play burglars and open enough to be able to see them beating each other up

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 20:48

Funnily enough, that was the one I was looking at. It looks ideal but the reviews were a bit pants. We intend to paint it, but happy to hear it doesn't need sanding!

OP posts:
nappyzoneloveslindor · 03/04/2010 20:52

really - what aspecct was pants? We built ours in a couple of hrs and i do recall dh having an arse on with the roof until i stepped in and pointed out the obvious. We have been having building works done the last 6 months and it was moved today for the 3rd time to tuther side of garden and still remains in one piece. Our neighbours bought the sameone for their children after looking at ours as they too did not want to spend the earth. I am glad we got a cheaper one as id have been gutted spending £700 and it still having a height issue - they are afterall built for children.

nappyzoneloveslindor · 03/04/2010 20:57

blimey i just read them reviews!!! do you thinnk though people only review when they want to slate the product eg they were unlucky because i imagine they have sold more than 7 in all them years. Oh i dont know now as we have had a positive experience but i dont want you hunting me down on mumsnet

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 20:59

Some are positive, but I was put off by these -

Overall Rating: 1 out of 5 Very Poor"Looks good on the picture but was very disappointed with the quality when delivered. It came direct from the manufacturer with bits missing, holes in several panels where knots were missing and the wood was very rough & splintery and split (best use would be as firewood). I requested a full refund from B&Q which I did receive but took several weeks and many phone calls. To have built this playhouse I would have either had to sand every panel or completely line the inside at extra cost."Review) Date: 23/09/2009

Overall Rating: 1 out of 5 Nice looks,bad quality"Instructions are hardly readable,assembly was quite of a challenge.Quality is bad,nails sticking out,wood splitting almost every time we tried to nail it, we ended uo using our own nails and LOTS of wood glue.Doesnt feel sturdy at all and I wish we got plastic one.Does look nice but as we know,looks can be deceiving !"

I am encouraged by your experience and I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want to spend hours sanding AND painting but I don't want them getting splinters in their bums either ?

OP posts:
Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 21:01

I promise not to hunt you down with pictures of my child's splintery bum!

OP posts:
nappyzoneloveslindor · 03/04/2010 21:04

see mine always wear clothes in it so not got splinter bums, i would recommend for thefirst few weeks YOU always wear a helmet till you remember to duck though or you will risk your dc starting to think the password to get in is oww ya fucker

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 21:06

Good advice .

OP posts:
Divatheshopaholic · 03/04/2010 21:08

these are cool ones if money is no problem

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 21:16

DH wouldn't say it's no problem. The Alice Wonderland one looks cute though. Do you have one? Are they good quality?

OP posts:
pigleychez · 03/04/2010 21:50

I started a thread about wooden playhouses the other day too. I plan to get one for DD's 2nd birthday in July.

Good to know about the door height and your 7yr old nappyzone. DC2 is due in May and didnt want DD to have outgrown it before DC gets older enough to use it.

Ive seen some fab and elaborate ones during my searching that would practically fill my garden!:

Loadsa Money!

Better than my own house!

Nice but expensive ones

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 22:06

They are lovely pigley, but I like the B&Q Pixie one and the price difference is staggering. I'm not sure what else you are paying for when paint, installation and delivery are even more on top.

I was put off by the reviews of the splintered wood etc, but as Nappyzone says the few who have been disappointed are more likely to comment than anyone else.

OP posts:
paisleyleaf · 03/04/2010 22:10

We got that B&Q pixie one for DD 3 years ago. We're really happy with it too. It is nice and light.

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 22:16

Great. Did you paint it Paisley/ Nappyzone?

OP posts:
KerryMumbles · 03/04/2010 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CantSleepWontSleep · 03/04/2010 22:20

Ours is from pigleychez's 'nice but expensive' link. There's a pic of it on my profile. Their service is wonderful (designs are bespoke, so you can adapt something that you sort of like if you want to) and the quality is good, but they are a far cry from your budget option!

CantSleepWontSleep · 03/04/2010 22:22

x post KM. It's prob me that you're thinking of, as ours is listed at that sort of value now, but it was a good deal cheaper when we bought it (still expensive obv, but not to the same extent as now).

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 22:22

A far cry in terms of price, or a far cry in terms of quality?

OP posts:
Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 22:28

Ah, I was going to say I don't mind paying a bit more for better quality, but perhaps not that much more!

OP posts:
CantSleepWontSleep · 03/04/2010 22:29

Both price and quality niggle!

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 03/04/2010 22:34

I've just looked at the picture on your profile. That's impressive! But I think my DH would expect me to move into something of that scale!

OP posts:
paisleyleaf · 03/04/2010 22:37

niggle, stained the house and painted the window frames and door - have put pic up.

theagedparent · 03/04/2010 22:39

this is gorgeous if you have lots of money

paisleyleaf · 03/04/2010 22:39

wowee Cantsleep, that's a dream house. Just fantastic.
(I love your DD's christening pic btw)

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