Step 3 – Stack your sleepers (if you’re going for height)
Step 4 – Join your sleepers together.
Step 5 – Finish off the surface of the sleepers.
How do you use railway sleepers in your garden?
Railway sleepers are an ideal material for constructing simple garden steps and stairways. Use sleepers to create the riser, then fill in behind with soil, slate or gravel to create each step. Short pieces of fence post can be hammered in at the front edges of the step for added stability.
Can you lay railway sleepers on soil?
For one, you can simply place your sleepers directly onto soil, allowing the heavy sleepers time to bed in. However, it’s worth noting that this method could lead to water pooling around the sides of your sleepers, potentially causing the timber to rot more quickly.
How do you connect two sleepers together?
How do you lay a sleeper for a garden border? – Related Questions
How long will sleepers last in the ground?
As a rule, hardwood oak sleepers tend to last the longest naturally with an expected lifespan of around 100 years. An untreated softwood will last for between three and five years if it sits on the ground, whilst treated softwoods can last between 20 and 30 years if they are maintained correctly.
What do you lay railway sleepers on?
The railway sleepers should ideally be laid on a surface that is level and firm. Many people simply lay them down directly on the earth, grass, deck or concrete.
Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.
How do you prevent sleepers from rotting?
Wood Preserver
Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.
Why are my railway sleepers cracking?
Splits and cracks (known as wood checks in the industry) occur when wood shrinks as it dries. Wood shrinks roughly twice as much along with the growth rings (radially) as it does across the rings (tangentially). It is this uneven shrinkage that causes checks to develop.
What type of garden sleeper is best?
Hardwood sleepers are much more resistant to softwood sleepers, this is because oak is generally high resistant to any decay and without being treated it can last you up to 30 – 40 years.
What are the best garden sleepers to use?
Timber that has been treated with preservative is the best choice in most cases – UC3 treated timber is best for use out of the ground, while UC4 treated is best for in-ground. Another type of timber available is green oak, which does not need treating as they are long-lasting naturally.
A good clean with warm water and an oil-combating soap will help to remove it, but never be tempted to use a pressure washer as this could damage the structure of the wood.
Are garden sleepers slippery when wet?
New Timber Sleepers and Reclaimed Railway Sleepers are used for many exterior applications. You will find many used around Golf Courses, Open Spaces, Nature Trails, Footbridges and in Gardens. One of the main problems with these, however, is the potential to slip when wet.
Why are my garden sleepers green?
Green timber has a naturally-pale, wooden colour but you will also note a slight green tint or fleck caused by the pressure-treating process. The chemicals used in pressure treatment are copper based which react with both the sap of the timber and the air and then oxidise, creating green flecks on the surface.
How do you maintain a sleeper?
To preserve the sleepers further, we would recommend treating them with an exterior wood oil or decking oil, ideally twice a year in Spring and Autumn. This will help to repel water and prevent water ingress, the main cause of wood rot.
Can you cut sleepers with a hand saw?
Option One – A Hand Saw. This is a surprisingly good choice, with a few caveats. You need the right saw, and also need to be willing to put in a little elbow grease. But with a good sharp saw, you can fly through a straight cut.
Are old railway sleepers toxic?
All used railway sleepers are contaminated to some extent with herbicides, lead and other heavy metals, plus grease and oil When used railway sleepers are heated, these toxic substances are vaporised, releasing odours and toxic fumes.
Cut your sleepers with a circular saw or a chainsaw by slowly making clean, straight cuts. Use a square angle ruler to make sure your sleepers will fit perfectly. Alternatively you can ask for sleepers to be precut which The Luxury Wood Company is happy to do.
What do you paint sleepers with?
Bitumen Paint
It can be applied to the underside of sleepers that are going to be sat on the ground and then coupled with the creocote above for a more decorative finish on the front.
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