We bought the Newport swingset after looking at many, as it was mid-priced, Chinese fir (not pine) it is smooth wood that smells lovely, with swings that are rated for 200 lbs each, a double story playhouse, and a wooden roof.It does not require a huge area to install.It is around 14' wide (16' with the little chair on the right), and the depth required is whatever you feel is a safe area for the swings to move and a child to be safe to jump off, and room for the slide.My measurements are roughly 13' deep from the end of the slide to the other side of the house, the swing beam is about 8' from one splayed post to the other and 7.5' wide (meaning the beam length for the 3 swings) and 7' high, and the playhouse bottom has a 46" high roof (43" low beams) so my 4 year old son won't be standing straight for long I'm sure he'll still enjoy it though.The upper area is high because of the peaked roof perhaps 10' high overall.The area recommended is a 28' zone, but really this is overkill, I guess so you don't sue them.There is no reason why the sides have to have a huge amount of room.Front to back you couldn't get away with much less kids jump off the swing, go fast off the slide, etc.The amount of time they say to build it is a joke.I had a builder who brought his prime assistant over, and the assistant worked for 3 days, about 20 hours total straight, with a little help lifting the beam into place and getting started (they had trouble working out the orientation of the frame at the beginning).Bits of screws and wood left over the directions had amendments and there wasn't exactly what you need like when you build an Ikea thing.And they reversed the direction of the house and slide to make it fit better into my site, so that is possible if you know what you are doing.I know people who have taken much longer to build these things if they can't spare that much time straight through.We've had 200 lb guys swinging on it with no movement.I have the 4 Anchor Its that came with it in but I think I will buy 4 more as we get a lot of wind in the winter and sometimes hurricanes (you can easily add more and it's probably a good idea I have seen other swingsets that rock when kids are swinging on them).It has to be a quite level site.I think the window plastic mullions will perish, but I can probably get our builder to fashion replacements if some parts go.The basic structure seems like it will last for years.Add a baby swing and a pirate wheel and we're having a great time.I can't speak for the delivery as I didn't buy it here, but it came in I think 6 or so large boxes in a huge truck, so I don't know what the '14 pieces' quoted in the description are.'6 players' would be useful but you only need 1 person who knows what they are doing, and 1 strong person!Overall a good mid-range, durable option.
The finished results of this kit are perfect it is a very cute and stylish set.It doesn't look cheap and is very solid once fully constructed.
I would warn that the instructions are terrible (to say the least).It might be better to glance at a picture in the step and try to work it out from there...less painful.Also, sort out all your screws, etc prior to starting there are a lot of screws that are close but aren't quite what they are in the manual...improvise!
Also, make sure you pre-drill everything.If you don't the wood WILL split.
It took me about 20 hours to get it built I did it by myself so it isn't so big that you need two people.
Other than the instructions, this is a fantastic swing set and my girls are still climbing all over it after a couple of months.They enjoy the little area underneath where they "cook" and serve meals to each other.The pot plant holders is a great touch and gave the girls and their mom something to do together when they picked out and put their flowers in.
Can't say enough truly a family investment.
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