Metal Climbing Frames
A metal climbing frame doesn't need treating, and it doesn't have to look like playground equipment. The BERG PlayBase is a steel frame with monkey bars across the top and accessories that swap as the children grow.
What the frame is made of
The PlayBase frame is steel tube, 90mm in diameter, with a zinc layer under a powder coating. It comes in Black or Green and stays outdoors all year. BERG gives it a 10-year warranty, rising to 13 years when you register the frame.
Why choose metal over timber
- No treating or staining. There is no timber to seal each year.
- No concrete. Free-standing frames are held by base sections buried in the ground.
- Strong. Every frame has a maximum load of 400kg.
- Slim. Every frame is 1m deep, so it takes up less of the lawn than a tower-and-slide set.
- It changes with the children. The same frame takes a baby seat, a climbing wall and a pull-up bar.
Timber still has its place if you want a tower or a playhouse. See our PlayBase vs wooden climbing frame comparison.
Monkey bars built in
The top of the frame is a run of monkey-bar rungs, and the swings and other accessories hang from lugs along it. Each end of the frame is either a tumble bar or a ladder: TL (one of each) is the most popular, TT has two tumble bars and LL has two ladders for monkey-bar style climbing.
Four sizes
| Frame | Width | Clear space needed | Carabiner points | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayBase Wall | 2.4m | 4m × 3m in front of the wall | 3 | €999 |
| PlayBase Medium | 2.85m | 6m × 4m | 4 | €1,499 |
| PlayBase Large | 3.8m | 7m × 5m | 6 | €1,749 |
| PlayBase Extra Large | 4.9m | 8.5m × 6m | 8 | €1,999 |
Every frame is 1m deep and 2.45m high, CE marked and rated for ages 3 and up. Not sure which fits? See how to choose a size or climbing frames for small gardens.
What hangs from it
Swings, a nest swing, trapeze and gym rings; a bamboo climbing wall, climbing net and a platform with a slide; a basketball hoop and soccer goal; and for ages 14 and over, a pull-up bar, dip bar, boxing bag, fitness rope and resistance bands. See the full accessory list with prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are metal climbing frames better than wooden ones?
They suit different needs. A metal frame like the BERG PlayBase needs no treating or staining and takes swap-in accessories from toddler age to adult. A wooden frame offers towers, playhouses and a traditional look. The PlayBase frame carries a 10-year warranty, rising to 13 years when registered with BERG.
Do metal climbing frames rust?
The BERG PlayBase frame is steel with a zinc layer underneath a powder coating, built to stay outdoors all year. It carries a 10-year frame warranty, rising to 13 years when you register it with BERG.
Does a metal climbing frame need concrete?
The BERG PlayBase does not. The free-standing frames are held by base sections buried in the ground, and the Wall frame fixes to a load-bearing brick or block wall.
Does the PlayBase have monkey bars?
Yes. The top of every PlayBase frame is a run of monkey-bar rungs, and the LL configuration has a ladder at both ends for monkey-bar style climbing.
How much weight can a metal climbing frame hold?
Every BERG PlayBase frame has a maximum load of 400kg in total. Individual accessories have their own limits, from 30kg for the baby seat to 150kg for the nest swing.