NATURAL PLAYGROUNDS EQUIPMENT IN QUALITY MATERIALS
A playground from NORNA PLAYGROUNDS is developed with high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability. Our approach is simple: we use wood as the main material, one of the most sustainable raw materials available.
Robinia is the cornerstone of our brand due to its beautiful appearance, strength, and durability. However, it is not always the most practical choice for every component on playground equipment, which is why we use alternative wood species such as Swedish heartwood pine and Douglas fir.
All our wood is FSC®-certified, ensuring it comes from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources. View certificate.
Explore the various materials and information
ROBINIA I ALTERNATIVE WOODS I WOOD STORAGE I UNCOLORED I STEEL I ROBE AND NET I PLYWOOD I POLYMERS I SUNSHADES
STRONG, DURABLE, AND BEAUTIFUL
Robinia
Robinia posts from NORNA PLAYGROUNDS are exclusively heartwood, the innermost part of the trunk. We only use European robinia, harvested in winter to ensure high quality, stability, and durability.
Robinia wood has a natural resistance to rot and fungi, making it unnecessary to treat. It is classified in durability class 1-2 according to EN 350:2016, with an expected lifespan of up to 32 years in ground contact. With these beneficial properties robinia is suitable for use in higher use classes 4 and 5 according to EN 335:2013.
The high density of 700-900 kg/m³ gives robinia exceptional strength and durability, making it suitable for intensive use.
Due to the hardness of robinia wood, we have developed SMART ROBINIA®, a modular pre-drilling system that ensures simple and correct installation of our playground equipment.
As a natural material, the wood can develop minor cracks over time, which typically do not affect its structural integrity or lifespan. Our repair kit (LE99617) makes it easy to fix cosmetic cracks that may occur.
ALTERNATIVE WOOD SPECIES
Swedish heartwood pine, Danish douglas, and larch
Swedish heartwood pine and Douglas fir are strong, durable, consistent in color, and easy to work with. The use of these wood types improves production efficiency, reduces costs, and maintains quality without compromising appearance, durability, or play value.
Both species are moderately resistant to rot and fungi and are classified in durability class 3-4 according to EN 350:2016. Untreated, they are suitable for use class 3 according to EN 335:2013. These species are suitable for intensive use and load, with a density of 500-600 kg per m³.
Uses
- Heartwood pine: Typically used for cladding playhouses, tower systems, and themed play.
- Douglas fir: Primarily used for the skeleton and rafters in playhouses, tower systems, and themed play.
- Larch: Exclusively used for siding and roofing of sheds.
- Some equipment also uses laminated beams made of spruce and oak trunks.
PROPER STORAGE
Wood handling guidelines
To ensure the durability of a playground from NORNA PLAYGROUNDS that is not to be installed immediately, it is important to store the wood correctly:
Protect from sunlight: Store wood away from direct sunlight to avoid drying out.
Ensure ventilation: If stored under a roof, the sides should be open to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Avoid tarps: Do not cover wood with tarps, as this can cause sweating and potential cracking.
Cool storage: Do not store wood in a heated warehouse to avoid drying out.
UNCOLORED IS THE STANDARD
Uncolored or Colored
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS does not treat or use treated wood in our natural playground equipment.
Robinia wood does not need any treatment to withstand outdoor conditions. The other wood types must be treated with an approved wood protection system within the first year and maintained according to the chosen aftercare system. NORNA PLAYGROUNDS sells playground equipment all over the world and it is challenging to select a single treatment method that meets all local regulations, restrictions, and climate demands. By leaving the choice of treatment to the owner, it ensures that the wood protection suits specific environmental conditions and complies with local guidelines.
A chestnut-colored variant is available on most standard products. On selected equipment, diverse color elements are used as a design feature. The coloring is water based and typically transparent when applied. All alternative color elements are specified for each product.
STAINLESS AND GALVANIZED
Steel
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS primarily use high-quality stainless steel, particularly AISI 304-A2, for brackets and larger steel parts such as slides, fireman’s poles, grab bars, and fittings for swings and zip lines. Galvanized steel is mainly used for parts with ground contact.
When assembling stainless steel, it is important to use a thread lubricant to prevent seizing. NORNA PLAYGROUNDS offers an environmentally friendly thread lubricant, LE16604.
STRONG AS STEEL
Ropes and nets
Most of the ropes and nets used are made of durable taifun® rope, consisting of a steel core wrapped in nylon, typically with 6 strands and 8 steel wires each, totaling 48 steel wires with a breaking strength of 4500 kg. This makes taifun rope highly resistant to vandalism.
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS primarily use black taifun® Ø16 mm, but other colors and thicknesses are available, such as yellow ropes in our NORNA ARC series. Connections are made of impact-resistant nylon and galvanized steel, and the ends are sealed with heat-shrink film.
Where better suited, ropes and nets in other synthetic and natural materials are used.
INDUSTRIAL DURABILITY
Plywood
Film-coated plywood is used for climbing panels, sensory walls, balance play, water play, and roofs. The plywood is made of FSC©-certified birch from Europe with a density of 700 kg/m³, and all edges are factory-sealed against wind and weather.
Non-coated plywood made of FSC©-certified okoume is primarily used for paintable surfaces.
The panels are waterproof, hygienic, and industrially durable. They are approved for use class 3 and meet the building code requirements for outdoor use, and typically 15 and 21 mm thick.
POLYMERS
Plastic, rubber, and other synthetic materials
Various types of plastic, rubber, and other synthetic materials are used for end caps, climbing stones, stepping pads, swing seats, etc. Norna Playgrounds focuses on using primarily recyclable materials.
For disposal, all materials, including synthetic ones, can be sorted and delivered to the local recycling station.
DURABLE
HDPE sunshades
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS’ HDPE sunshades are made of knitted high-density polyethylene, a thermoplastic known for its strength. Weighing 320 grams of per m², the sunshade is highly durable and ideal for schools and institutions. The sunshade is available in a neutral camel color.
The HDPE sunshade block 90% of the sun’s UV rays with a UV value of UPF10, certified according to the UV-801 standard. View certificate.
The sunshade can handle dew and light rain when installed with a slope of 20-25 degrees. It is recommended to take the shade down at night and in winds above 7 on the Beaufort scale (13.9-17.1 m/s).
SUN BLOCK
Polyester sunshade
NORNA PLAYGROUNDS’ polyester sunshades are made of 100% tightly woven PU-coated polyester, weighing 200 grams per m². The sunshade is UV-resistant, highly water-repellent, and available in a neutral raw white color.
The sunshade blocks 98% of the sun’s UV rays with a UV value of UPF80, certified according to the UV-801 standard. View certificate.
The shade is 90% waterproof therefore it should be installed with a slope of 20-25 degrees to allow water to run off. The shade should be taken down in the evening and in winds above 5 on the Beaufort scale (8.0-10.7 m/s).