You can either opt for concrete, sand or gravel foundations or lay the sleepers on the soil with no official foundation. For the latter option, make sure you put down a waterproof sheet under the sleepers to avoid them soaking up moisture from the soil.
Sleepers are best constructed on a firm and level surface such as soil, grass, decking or concrete, however, you should still use a spirit level to ensure the surface is as level as possible. Depending on your project, you may wish to use sand, cement or timber offcuts to level things out.
You want to give any moisture the best chance of dispersing away from the sleepers. So no membranes, and really the sleepers want to sit on a draining sub base. Concrete would also work if you sit the sleepers into it as long as no moisture could be trapped between them, but it's probably overkill.
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.
If you wish to add finishes or other treatments to your sleepers, this is the best time to do so. Laying sharp sand into your channels or in the dug area of your pathway will ensure each board has a nice even foundation. Pour in a layer of around 25mm and pack it down using one of your sleepers or a tamper.
You can either opt for concrete, sand or gravel foundations or lay the sleepers on the soil with no official foundation. For the latter option, make sure you put down a waterproof sheet under the sleepers to avoid them soaking up moisture from the soil.
Over time, this could compromise the structural integrity of the sleepers, leading to an unsightly and potentially hazardous situation. This is where the humble gravel comes to the rescue. The gravel acts as a drainage layer, allowing water to flow away from the sleepers and into the ground below.
Although you may want to place your garden sleepers straight onto the soil and give them the time to bed into the ground, we recommend putting in a layer of partially dried concrete, sand or aggregate in first to avoid water pooling around the edges of the sleepers.
Softwood sleepers may last less than 5 years if they are not treated. Softwood sleepers come from pine and it is known that they are less resistant to decay. They need to be treated and maintained and then you can expect them to last for up to 20 years. Hardwood sleepers have been known to last up to 100 years.
We suggest using gravel or sand to provide drainage and a level surface when laying sleepers directly on soil. When creating taller retaining walls using a large number of sleepers, a solid foundation is integral for the overall stability.
If you're placing your sleepers onto a hard surface, such as concrete or patio, they can just go straight on top, but if they're going onto the lawn or soil, you'll need to dig a shallow trench for the first sleeper to sit in.
Clear Wood Oil or Decking Oil: These products are ideal for those who want their sleepers to age naturally to a grey or silver colour while still being protected from the elements. A clear oil will nourish the wood, making it supple and water-resistant, which helps protect it from water and frost damage.
Fill around the sleeper with soil or sand to secure it in place before moving onto laying the next one. To fix railway sleepers to the ground, use spikes or screws designed for outdoor use to ensure they remain stable over time.
Fill the space behind the wall with gravel or shingle up to 150mm from the top. Gravel acts as a filter, allowing water to flow through easily but keeping soil in place. Slope the land slightly away from the retaining wall on both sides. This directs surface water away, reducing pressure on the wall.
Reclaimed railway sleepers are likely to last for decades above ground if left untreated. This said, applying a wood preservative or wood oil will help to protect the timber for longer.
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.
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.
Treatment - the green tint is a result of deep-pressure treatment that enhances the wood's resistance to rot, fungi, and insect infestation. This treatment typically penetrates the wood more thoroughly than the surface-level treatments used for brown sleepers.
Circular saws are the middle ground between hand saws and chainsaws. They allow you to cut sleepers easily while giving you fine control over the angle and manner of the cut. This makes the circular saw the most popular tool for the job.
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.
Providing Sufficient Drainage
This is by far the most important part of any successful sleeper installation. If water is allowed to sit against timber it will start to rot after a matter of a few years, even with pressure treated softwood or oak sleeper that have been treated before installation.
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.
If you use gravel for a more practical purpose, such as a footpath or driveway then it is advised that you dig down roughly a minimum of 15cm and place a sub-base of 100mm before laying around 50mm of gravel on top. This prevents the gravel from moving and sinking under various weights and movements.
Attach sleepers together
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.