Railway Sleepers in the Garden

 

Today I have decided to write a two part article on wooden railway sleepers and their uses. Railway sleepers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and have been increasing in popularity over the last couple of years, their uses range from garden borders to steps to retaining wooden walls.  I have used reconditioned railway sleepers in my own garden as a way of retaining the earth so that I could make flower beds along with forming steps offering  a beautiful softer alternative to concrete and patio tiles .

Garden ideas for railway sleepers

• Railway sleepers can be used for Retaining Walls.
• Sleepers can be used for Flower beds.
• Railway sleepers can be used for Steps.
• Sleepers can be used for Vegetable patches.
• Planters.

When a customer asks for garden sleepers we are able to offer them a choice of four different products.

1. Traditional Reconditioned Reclaimed railway sleeper

       

By far one of the most aesthetically pleasing options is the Reclaimed railway sleeper. Reclaimed sleepers or second hand railway sleepers are as the name suggests a sleeper that has been previously used, usually sourced and imported from European countries . In my opinion the old railway sleeper look is the most favorable. As long as they are free from rot at the time of purchase they should last a lifetime.

On a more negative note these sleepers can seep oil in the heat on a warm day and they can be difficult to cut. They can also vary in weight and size making them more difficult to work with.

 

2. Rough Sawn Spruce or Pine Tanalised softwood sleepers

 

Softwood sleepers are easy to work with as a general rule they are a standard tanalised sawn finish in 2.4 Metre lengths. Sold at a similar price to the Grade A reconditioned sleepers.

The down side of softwood tanalised sleepers is that they are only tanalaise treated the treatment in the old reconditioned railway sleepers is far more durable than the new softwood sleepers. We advise that if these sleepers are going to be in direct contact with the ground for any length of time they should be treated with an oil based preserver prior to installation.

For further information on Railway sleepers or any of the vast range of garden products that we sell call in to our Garden display area in Pontardulais Swansea alternatively visit our website at www.dgheath.co.uk or give us a call on Swansea 01792 884828.