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Tuesday, June 6th
Cedarshed is based in British Columbia and has been making playhouses, sheds and pergolas from Western Red Cedar for over 40 years. There are two styles of playhouses available here, Bunkhouse Kits and Clubhouse Kits, and you'll need some basic carpentry skills to put yours together (or to hire someone else who does).
Clubhouse kits in multiple sizes
Cedarshed's Clubhouse Kits are priced from $5,479 to $8,759. You'll see all of the different configurations in the dropdown box, with lower pricing on OSB roofs (that will require you to buy and install shingles or metal roofing) than on cedar roofs. Sizes range from 8x12 to 10x20, and all styles include a covered porch. It's not easy to tell from the product images how to get a slide included, since the designs are all one-story models.
Choose a bunkhouse for a larger floor plan
Bunkhouses have a slightly different style and are generally larger than the clubhouses, starting in a 9x10 size priced at $6,164 and going up to a 12x14 for $8,889. These models have 6' high interior walls, so you can add a storage loft if you wish. While all of these playhouses have opportunities for upgrades and options, the lack of photos showing more than just a few outside shots leaves a lot to the imagination.
You'll want to add a finish for greater longevity
We appreciate that some details on care and maintenance are provided on the Cedarshed site. They recommend that you apply a protective finish within two weeks of assembly, depending on what's appropriate in your geographic area. This could include water-repellent preservative and oil with fungicide, semi-transparent stain, solid color stain, or paint.
Positive feedback from customers
Reputation-wise, Cedarshed is probably not going to be a disappointment. The company has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and the handful of reviews we found on the website, the company's social media channels, and a few other places were positive overall.
Limited warranty and return period
There are a couple of reasons why Cedarshed doesn't rank as highly as their competitors. First, the company offers no refund/return policy: all sales are considered final once they've shipped, and the only exception is for items that are damaged in transit and can't be salvaged. Also, you only have 14 days from the date of delivery to notify Cedarshed if there are any broken or missing pieces; unless you get an extension (in writing) within that first 14 days, you'd better plan on setting up your playhouse soon after it comes. Finally, their playhouses and other structures are only warrantied for one year after purchase; another cedar-based playhouse brand in our review offers coverage of 1-2 years on accessories and 5-10 years on the wood components.
Good playhouses, less-than-impressive process and policies
Could you get the playhouse of your dreams here? Maybe. Will it take quite a bit of extra work to determine if Cedarshed has what you want, how long it will take to get to you, and how to put it together? Absolutely. And, there are other cedar playhouse companies out there that aren't quite as difficult to figure out. We wouldn't say there's anything bad about Cedarshed; it's just not quite up there with our highest-ranked retailers.
A playhouse can be a simple, inexpensive way to keep a toddler occupied for a few hours in a pop-up structure in the living room - or a sturdy, wooden structure that might last long enough to give your children and later your grandchildren years of happy memories. From pirates to princesses, kitchens to caves, the adventures provided by playhouses are only limited by one's imagination.
Your first consideration when buying a playhouse is where it will be used. Obviously you won't want to buy a cardboard design for use outdoors, but it could be exactly the thing for a rainy day inside. If it's going to be set up outside, you'll want to choose a playhouse that can withstand the elements where you live, from snow to sunshine, and that fits the space you have in mind.
The next factor in your decision is the age range of the kids who will be using the playhouse. A huge climber with rock walls, rope swings and a lookout tower will be the envy of the big kids in your neighborhood, but if the child(ren) in your life can't quite walk yet, it's not going to be the right fit.
Finally, are you looking for a playhouse that's permanently installed or something that can be moved - around the yard or across the country? The most long-lasting, packed-with-features playhouses usually require you to set them up with the expectation that that's where they'll stay.
There are so many places you can buy a playhouse online, from your trusted home improvement store's website to family-owned companies that have been making sturdy wood playhouses (complete with window boxes and porches) for decades. Where should you start? Follow this list to help guide your decision:
To help you add the most fun to your basement or backyard, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's most popular retailers of playhouses. We're sure this information will make it easy to get the cutest cabin or climber for the children in your life!
Select any 2 Playhouses to compare them head to head