Materials

Wood

Nordic Pine

Nordic Pine play equipment has a natural aesthetic, making it an ideal addition to urban green spaces and rural settings alike. The inherent educational value of wood positions it as a valuable component in outdoor learning setting, thoughtfully designed to inspire both children and adults to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature.

Nordic Pine is used for:

Why is Nordic Pine equipment so strong and durable?

• Our pine is sourced from Scandinavian forests where the trees grow slowly and develop a very dense and compact quality. We select only the best trees that are free from defects. Even untreated, it is thus extremely strong and less susceptible to attack by beetles or fungi. Our pine will also withstand demanding weather conditions such as long, cold winters or humid environments.
• Wooden parts are first treated with oil, which increases the durability of the material and enhances its natural appearance. A wood stain primer and finisher is then applied to add an extra protective layer and obtain a smooth surface, as well as a pleasant subtle color. This also means that the surface resists water penetration.
• All our wooden poles have ground necks in galvanized steel to avoid direct contact with the ground. This reduces the risk of mold or rot. Vertical poles have a plastic cap on top for additional protection.
• Load-bearing posts are made of glued wood and designed to withstand heavy wear and repeated impact. Load relief grooves help stabilize the wood and reduce the risk of cracking.
• Our team of engineers also work hard to come up with well thought out design solutions to prevent water stagnation that accelerates the wood's decomposition process.
• We are so confident that our equipment meets high quality standards that we offer a 10-year guarantee on engineered timber against defects due to rotting.

FSC Hardwood for Furniture

FSC Certified Hardwood is used in various outdoor furniture products, signifying a dedication to high quality. Renowned for durability and attractiveness, our hardwoods show excellent natural resistance to decay and insects, making them ideal for outdoor furniture.

What are the benefits of using FSC Hardwood for Furniture?​

• FSC Hardwood is recognized for its exceptional strength and durability, ensuring a long-lasting investment. Derived from broadleaved, deciduous trees, it withstands various weather conditions and constant use.
• Choosing FSC Hardwood minimizes the need for frequent replacements, reducing potential safety risks associated with worn-out timber. The durability of this hardwood ensures it remains stable even with continuous use and movement.
• With a long lifespan, FSC Hardwood furniture is a durable and valuable investment, resisting scratches and dents over time.
• Stable and seasoned FSC Hardwood does not shrink or warp, ensuring that the beauty of the timber remains intact over time, whether used indoors or outdoors.
• FSC Hardwood boasts a rich, golden-brown color, resembling oak but with a deeper and richer tone, making it visually appealing in any setting. Please note, the wood is oiled with tinted oil (the tint is darker then the original color of the wood) and this may vary in appearance. 

What are the environmental benefits of using wood?

• Wood is a renewable raw material, which makes it one of the most sustainable materials.
• All our wood products come from forests that are FSC or PEFC certified.
• Our wood cutting process is fully computerized and reduces the amount of waste.
• We only use water-based biodegradable solvents that do not have a negative impact on the environment.

Maintenance and recycling of wooden equipment

• Wood is a natural material and tends to shrink in dry conditions and expand when moist. Minor cracks and splits may occur over time but this does not affect the structural integrity of the equipment and is nothing to worry about.
• Under normal conditions, our wooden equipment can last more than 20 years. We recommend that our customers regularly inspect their wooden equipment for debris such as sand or leaves, clean it with a mild detergent to remove dust and residue from air pollution, and refresh it with an extra coat of paint every 2 years to keep it in top condition (the intevals will depend on use, place of installation, vandalism, etc.).
• As all our coatings are biodegradable, the wood parts can be burned or recycled and no specific disposal process is required.
• It is recommended that the Hardwood Furniture should be treated if required with a drying wood oil < 30% dryness. Ensure that all excess oil is removed prior to putting the equipment back into use. This is particularly important on step treads to ensure they are not slippery.

Steel

Steel equipment provides a modern aesthetic that complements contemporary architecture. It is a low-maintenance choice with excellent durability, making it well-suited for challenging environments. We exclusively use structural steel capable of withstanding frequent use and heavy impact. The material undergoes various treatments to enhance its durability and resistance. Handling the entire process internally gives us complete control over quality and safety. Our coatings and paints are sourced from Akzo Nobel, a renowned global manufacturer known for rigorous testing procedures and high-quality products. HAGS is an accredited user of the company's coatings.

Properties and benefits of Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel presents a smooth and visually appealing finish while providing outstanding resistance to corrosion. This type of steel is particularly well-suited for components subjected to heavy wear or stress, such as slides or structural posts. Thanks to its distinctive properties, stainless steel demands minimal maintenance and retains its visually pleasing appearance over an extended period.

Steel is used for:

How durable is steel equipment?

High quality steel equipment is very durable as it will stand the test of time and generate less waste. We have also invested in R&D to establish efficient manufacturing processes that reduce the impact on the environment.

• Powder coating has less impact on the environment than other manufacturing processes. Powder contains no solvent, can be recycled and is easy to clean. It is therefore safer to use powder and it complies with all current and proposed environmental legislation.
• Steel is fully recyclable and can be sold to third parties when the product has reached the end of its life cycle. In this way, the equipment's total cost and environmental impact can be reduced.

Maintenance and recycling of steel equipment

Our products must be inspected regularly for mechanical damage. We also recommend that the powder-coated steel components be cleaned with a mild detergent and soft cloth. This should ideally be done at least once a year, unless the site is within 1500m of the sea, in which case cleaning should be carried out every three months. Any identified breaks or scratches in the surface should be repaired within one month:

• All visible metal should be carefully sanded with fine sandpaper to remove any corrosion.
• Clean the area with a non-aggressive solvent.
• Paint immediately with HAGS enhancement paint.

HPL

HPL stands for High Pressure Laminate. It is a very strong material that requires little maintenance and is often used in the construction and design industry for floors, wall coverings and furniture. HPL has outstanding resilience and an attractive appearance. Because the laminate can withstand strong coastal winds and high humidity levels, it is suitable for all environments, including coastal areas.

HPL is used for:

How is HPL manufactured?

High pressure laminate (HPL) is a sheet of material made up of about 60% cellulosic fibre (paper) and about 40% phenolic resin (thermosetting plastic) which is compressed under high pressure and heat.

The top layer consists of melamine (thermosetting plastic) plus a transparent UV protective film to minimize colour change during outdoor exposure. The surface can also have an embossed texture either for decorative or safety reasons, such as to reduce the risk of slipping.

What are the advantages of high-pressure laminate equipment?

• HPL is durable and extremely resistant thanks to its compact and dense quality. It has high resistance to scratches, heat, moisture, stains, repeated impact and heavy wear.
• HPL is very easy to clean and you only need a sponge and a mild detergent to remove most stains or residue.
• HPL is available in a variety of colors and textures. Custom graphics can be engraved to add visual interest and pops of color to a playground.

Maintenance and recycling of HPL equipment

This tough and dimensionally stable material has very good strength properties. HPL is moisture resistant, resilient to scratches and other deformations, needs very little maintenance, is easy to clean, and has a long lifespan, even in the outdoors. HPL furniture requires minimal maintenance. It is easy to clean and does not require regular staining, sealing, or painting like other outdoor materials. 

HPL waste can be reused by being processed in officially approved industrial incineration units.

Further Information