What are garden sleepers?
Often, garden sleepers are referred to as railway sleepers, after the fact that they were once used to support railway tracks. Reclaimed, original railway sleepers can be found, but they would have been heavily treated with creosote and will probably have holes drilled into them. New railway sleepers are available in hardwood and softwood, and will be in much better condition than original examples.
What are timber sleepers used for?
Timber sleepers are used in the garden for a variety of purposes, from creating raised flower beds to forming boundaries for garden features. They are popular for retaining walls and for creating border edging, and can also be used to create planters. Sleepers could also be used to create a shed base but they are not a cost effective solution; for more information, our earlier article tells you ‘What foundations are needed to install a garden shed.’
Softwood timber sleepers
At Witham Timber, our treated timber sleepers are manufactured from quality softwood sourced from sustainable forests. Easier to cut and drill than their hardwood counterparts, softwood sleepers are pressure treated for longevity and are lighter in weight for easier manoeuvrability. Our softwood railway sleepers are available in softwood brown or softwood green, in a choice of three sizes.
Hardwood timber sleepers
Witham Timber’s hardwood sleepers are manufactured from oak, for its durability and resistance to decay, and are therefore heavier than softwood sleepers. Offered in one size only (100x200x2400mm), the sleepers make an attractive addition to any garden and need no ongoing maintenance other than regular cleaning and perhaps an application of wood preserver if required.
How long will garden sleepers last?
The lifespan of garden sleepers will vary on whether they are hardwood or softwood timber sleepers. Hardwood oak sleepers can be expected to last the longest, as oak has a natural lifespan of up to one hundred years. Treated softwood sleepers, if maintained correctly, will last up to 30 years, while untreated softwood sleepers, positioned directly on the ground, will last between 3 and 5 years only.
How to maintain softwood timber sleepers
Our softwood timber sleepers are pressure treated for longevity and do not need further treatment prior to installation. However, if you cut the sleepers to size, the exposed end will need a coat of preservative. Our range of Protek products can be used on softwood, without fear of harm to pets or plants, and the Protek Wood Stain and Protector offers a good level of protection against UV damage, while waterproofing and protecting timber. For more information about all the Protek products we stock, see our article ‘Protek wood treatments – everything you need to know’.
Whether your next garden project is creating a stepped area or adding some raised beds, our garden sleepers are perfect! For any help or advice on the types of sleeper to suit your project or for information on how to take care of them, our experienced sales staff can be contacted by email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk or by telephone on 01205 359188.