If you're stacking your sleepers on top of or next to each other, use steel rod pins or timberlok screws (sometimes called sleeper screws) to secure them into place. You can also use these to fix corners, by fixing the rod through the edge of one beam and into the other's end.
Landscaping Screw
With a hexagonal head they can be put in place using a power drill. These will screw through one sleeper and into the next, holding them together. You do not have to worry about them coming loose as they require an extremely high force before they pull out as they make a strong joint.
Use two 150mm timber screws at each corner to attach the sleepers together. 50mm of the length of the screw needs to drill into the adjoining sleeper to create a solid connection. You will now have a box shape that creates a neat border.
Place wooden posts or spikes behind the sleepers - Installing a wooden post or spike behind each sleeper provides additional support, especially for tall borders. Lay sleepers horizontally and secure them - When laying sleepers flat, place one on top of another and screw them together for height.
There are a number of ways that you can connect your garden sleepers together to create a solid and stable structure. One of the most popular options is to use steel rod pins or long landscaping screws. Alternatively, you can use metal plates and corner braces to build a strong, square finish for your garden sleepers.
If you're stacking your sleepers on top of or next to each other, use steel rod pins or timberlok screws (sometimes called sleeper screws) to secure them into place. You can also use these to fix corners, by fixing the rod through the edge of one beam and into the other's end.
Sleeper Screws – 6.5mm x 250mm L (Pack of 50)
They are corrosive resistant, self-driving and each pack comes with a free drill driver bit – all you need is a drill. Don't forget to view our customer photos to see what our customers are doing with their raised beds and sleepers.
Retaining walls and raised beds are just two ways that these unique timber pieces allow you to enhance your garden projects. But the question is – can you lay railway sleepers on soil? The answer is – Yes you can.
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.
Repair and Treat: Fill any holes or gaps with exterior wood filler and treat the remaining wood with a preservative and oil.
To allow railway sleepers to turn grey or silver over time, whilst protecting them from the elements, we recommend using a clear wood oil or decking oil which doesn't contain any UV filters.
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.
Secure with spikes: Drive long metal spikes through pre-drilled holes in each sleeper down into the ground below. Use screws for additional strength: Connect adjacent sleepers by drilling screws into their sides at an angle, creating a firm bond between them.
Bed Strap or Belt: Use a bed strap or belt specifically designed to hold twin beds together. These straps wrap around the width of the mattresses, keeping them snugly attached. Adjust the strap tight enough to eliminate any gap between the beds. Velcro Strips: Apply Velcro strips to the sides of the mattresses.
Spacing is not kept uniform throughout the rail length. It is closer to the joints because of the weakness of the joints and the impact of moving loads on them. Maximum center-to-center sleeper spacing should be 600 mm. The clear distance between two sleepers should not be more than 450 mm.
Clear the area of all unwanted vegetation and material and then dig a shallow, level trench to allow for bedding material. Usually you would allow 3-4 courses in height and start by bedding the first sleeper onto a semi-dry concrete mix laid in your trench.
To do this, you will start by marking the position for the bolts directly onto the timber, ensuring they are evenly spaced and level. Using a high-quality drill bit which works on wood, create holes through the Oak before driving your bolts through the first sleeper and into the second, using washers for a secure fit.
Pressure-treated lumber is typically made from softwood like southern yellow pine, which absorbs a large amount of water during the treatment process. Once exposed to outdoor elements, the wood dries unevenly, leading to tension in the outer layers. This tension results in checks and splits.
The best way to secure sleepers is with appropriate timber screw. The type of wood you choose to work with will dictate the type of fixing that needs to be used. Softwoods can be fixed with a choice of steel or zinc screws.
You might want to put a layer of concrete, sand or aggregate in first, but this isn't always strictly necessary. Continue around in the same way until you've got the bottom layer in place. At this point, it's worth using a spirit level to make sure all your railway sleepers are lying flat.
Considering the type of soil
If you have well-draining soil, a layer of gravel or crushed stone can be an excellent option. Garden design with sleepers and gravel offers various benefits. Gravel allows for proper drainage, preventing water from pooling and potentially causing damage to the sleeper structure.
Dig out area of bed to depth of 50-75mm. Start laying out the bottom course of sleepers, fixing them to the ground with metal rods.
Some people fasten railway sleepers together with bolts or Timberlok Screws. Others use steel angle brackets or steel flat connector plates. Some people use wooden stakes to support their railway sleeper creations, whereas others slot their railway sleepers into steel 'I' or 'H' beams.
One of the most popular options is to use steel rod pins or long landscaping screws. Alternatively, you can use metal plates and corner braces to build a strong, square finish for your garden sleepers.
Although raised beds are usually constructed on free-draining soil, we recommend lining the bottom of your bed with a generous drainage layer of hardcore, stones or coarse gravel.