Railway sleepers have been used over the centuries to fasten rails to the track bed. Even though they are still being utilized for the same purpose today, trade craftsmen and landscaping professionals have began incorporating these hardwearing, sturdy blocks of timber into the landscaping industry. Because of their durability, railways sleepers have become very popular with carpenters, furniture makers and garden designers. They are also ideal landscaping materials due to their low cost and their eye catching features. They can be used in the construction of garden features such as wall and planters retaining, feature benches and many of the garden furniture.
The most practical way to use the sleepers in a landscaping is as an alternative material for constructing the garden steps. Railway sleepers made from hardwood timber are designed to be hardwearing and if they can withstand the pressure of speeding trains, then they are ideal materials for staircases and steps. They often have an attractive finish and when combined with some kind of stonework, their rustic charm is even more visible. If you are looking to enhance your landscape design with these, there are many sleepers for sale available but only those that have been properly treated will last for many years with minimal upkeep needed.
Another popular use of sleepers is their use as raised flower beds. The sleepers are laid along the edge of the proposed bed and the inside covered with a semi permeable membrane that can easily be found from garden supply stores. This will ensure that there is minimal contact between the timber and the soil and thus the longevity of the sleepers. The timbers can be put together using timber lock screws or the traditional sleeper fixings. You can also find the newer styles of sleeper fixings that come with a tapered head that can penetrate the timber without the need of drilling holes. This allows you to easily attach them to the railing posts, decking or even other sleepers.
Sleepers for Sale
If you have an artistic disposition or just a little more time on your hands, sleepers can make excellent core material from which you can make different kinds of furniture. Popular items that can be made out of these sleepers include; benches and chairs, beds, fire surrounds and garden room tables. However, if you are looking to make such furniture, it is best to use untreated softwood sleepers. Sleepers used for making furniture are usually sanded to create a very smooth finish and then treated with either specialist timber resins or wax.
In the recent past, it has also become very popular to construct a child’s sandpit using railway sleepers. Just like in the construction of flower beds, the inside of the sleepers has to be coated with a membrane to prevent contact with the soil. It is also very important that the sleeper used for the construction of sandpits be untreated and purchased new. This is because second hand or old sleepers may contain creosote which is harmful to the environment.
When it comes to incorporating railways sleepers into your landscape design, there are limitless possibilities to what you can do. Whether for functional or decorative purposes, the build and natural finish of railway sleepers is definitely going to stand out in any garden.