Railway Sleepers
(6 Products)Railway sleepers are a practical and adaptable material in landscaping, valued for their ability to shape space and provide structural support. Their solid, rectangular form allows for a range of installation methods: laid flat for borders and steps, stacked for walls or planters, or placed upright for edging and dividers.
What Are Railway Sleepers?
Railway sleepers, historically known as railroad ties, are substantial, rectangular timber beams that form the bedrock of many landscaping and gardening projects.
While their original purpose was to support railway tracks by maintaining rail distance and distributing the immense weight of trains, timber sleepers have found a new life and popularity in outdoor design.
With their solid construction and neat, rectangular profile, they lend themselves well to defined garden features like raised beds, retaining structures, steps, edging, and rustic-style furniture.
They can often be installed directly onto compacted soil or gravel for light-duty applications. In projects involving height or lateral pressure, such as retaining walls, additional fixings or sub-base preparation may be required to prevent movement over time.
Applications
- Raised Garden Beds: Ideal for constructing raised beds, offering clean lines, containment, and improved drainage. They’re especially useful in vegetable plots or where soil quality needs to be controlled.
- Retaining Walls: Their strength and size make them a practical material for building small retaining walls. Commonly used to terrace sloped gardens or prevent soil movement on banks and embankments.
- Pathways & Edging: Sleepers work well as borders for paths, lawns, or planting areas. Their weight keeps them in place, and their straight profile makes layout straightforward.
- Steps & Decking: Timber sleepers can be used to form simple garden steps or to support low decking structures, particularly on uneven or sloping ground where stability is important.
- Garden Furniture: With basic carpentry skills, sleepers can be shaped into durable outdoor furniture. Benches, tables, and planter-seat combinations are common uses that make the most of their bulk and longevity.
- Borders for Driveways & Ponds: Often used to define the edges of driveways, gravel areas, or water features. Their mass and rot resistance make them effective for containing loose materials or separating zones.
Benefits
- Durability: Pressure-treated to resist rot, fungal decay, and insect attack, ensuring a long lifespan in outdoor environments.
- Versatility: Suitable for a vast range of landscaping and construction projects.
- Aesthetics: Available in both brown and green treatments, they can be chosen to blend naturally with their surroundings - whether you prefer a warm, earthy tone or a fresher, more natural timber look.
- Ease of Use: Softwood sleepers are easier to cut and work with than reclaimed hardwood sleepers or concrete alternatives.
Our Range of Softwood Timber Sleepers
- Brown Treated Softwood Sleepers: These sleepers have a warm, natural brown finish that blends beautifully into garden settings. The brown treatment provides excellent protection against decay and insects, ensuring a long lifespan. They are a popular choice for those seeking a more rustic and traditional look.
- Green Treated Softwood Sleepers: Our green treated sleepers have a subtle green tint initially, which gradually fades to a honey-brown over time, eventually silvering with age if left untreated. Like our brown sleepers, they are pressure-treated to the highest standards, offering superior resistance to the elements and degradation.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
- Planning: Before starting your project, carefully plan the layout and quantity of sleepers required.
- Cutting: Sleepers can be cut using a suitable saw, such as a large handsaw or a circular saw with a robust blade. Always wear appropriate safety gear.
- Fixing: Depending on the application, sleepers can be fixed using timber screws, rebar, or by stacking and interlocking. For retaining walls, consider adding drainage behind the wall.
- Ground Contact: While treated, for maximum longevity, consider placing a permeable membrane or gravel layer beneath sleepers that will be in constant ground contact to improve drainage.
- Maintenance: Our treated sleepers require minimal maintenance. Over time, the colour may fade naturally. If desired, you can apply an exterior wood stain or preservative to refresh their appearance and further extend their life.
Frequently Asked Timber Sleepers Questions
Are Railway Sleepers Difficult To Cut Or Work With?
While substantial, our softwood sleepers are generally easier to cut and work with than reclaimed hardwood sleepers or concrete alternatives.
For straight cuts, a large handsaw, a powerful circular saw, or a chainsaw is recommended. Always ensure you use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, and secure the sleeper firmly before cutting.
Do I Need To Treat Or Seal The Sleepers After I Install Them?
Our sleepers are already pressure-treated for outdoor use, so no immediate additional treatment is required for their preservation.
However, you can choose to apply an exterior wood stain, oil, or preservative later to maintain or change their colour, or simply to enhance their natural appearance and offer an extra layer of weather protection. If left untreated, they will naturally weather and grey over time.
What's The Best Way To Secure Timber Sleepers For A Retaining Wall Or Steps?
- For retaining walls, sleepers are typically stacked and can be secured by drilling and inserting steel rebar vertically through the layers and into the ground.
- For lower walls, large timber screws or specialised sleeper connectors can also be effective.
- For steps, ensuring a solid, level foundation and securely fixing each riser to the one below, and potentially into the ground or a supporting structure, is crucial.
The specific method depends on the height and design of your project.
What Tools Will I Need To Work With Railway Sleepers?
For cutting, you'll generally need a large handsaw, a powerful circular saw, or a chainsaw (ensure it's suitable for timber). For drilling, a heavy-duty drill with long wood bits is essential.
You'll also likely need a spirit level, a tape measure, spade or shovel for ground preparation, and possibly a mallet or sledgehammer for tapping them into place. Don't forget personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety glasses, work gloves, and ear protection.
What Is The Difference Between Green & Brown Railway Sleeper Treatments?
Brown timber receives the exact same preservation treatment as green timber, the only difference is that a brown dye is added to give it a darker hue.
However, this colouring agent does not possess any additional protective properties beyond its aesthetic appeal.
Related Articles
How To Make A Raised Garden Bed
How to Level a Garden
How to Lay Sleepers for Garden Edging
