What is the best way to join sleepers?

Author: Reina Doyle  |  Last update: Saturday, August 2, 2025

When fixing railway sleepers together, use steel landscaping screws as they are strong, won't corrode if they come into contact with timber treatment, and are available up to 250mm in length. With a hexagonal head they can be put in place using a power drill.

How to join two sleepers together?

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.

Can you lay sleepers directly on soil?

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.

Do sleepers need to be cemented in?

Do sleepers need to be cemented? Sleepers do not typically need to be cemented in place if they are being laid horizontally. As long as they are placed on a solid level base they will be fine.

What do you line sleepers with?

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.

SleeperFit | Straight Railway Sleeper Bracket with Stake | ID001 - Showcase & Installation Tips

How do you fill gaps in sleepers?

Repair and Treat: Fill any holes or gaps with exterior wood filler and treat the remaining wood with a preservative and oil.

How long do sleepers last in soil?

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.

Do you have to screw sleepers together?

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.

What is the best mix for laying sleepers?

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.

How do you anchor sleepers to the ground?

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.

Do you need gravel under sleepers?

The gravel acts as a drainage layer, allowing water to flow away from the sleepers and into the ground below. It acts as a natural conduit, guiding the water away from the vulnerable wooden sleepers. This prevents moisture build-up and helps to keep the sleepers dry and structurally sound.

How deep do you dig for sleepers?

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.

Can you use sleepers as joists?

How to Frame a Deck Over Concrete. Framing a deck over concrete is done using sleeper panels, also known as sleepers or joists.

Can I lay sleepers straight on the ground?

If you plan on placing your railway sleeper onto a solid surface such as a patio or concrete, they can be put directly on top, but if you're going to place them on soil, they need to be slightly sunken into the ground.

What is the best oil for sleepers?

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.

How to join sleepers at 90 degrees?

With sleepers on a narrow edge, simply screw the sleepers together at the 90 degree corners, allowing at least 50mm (or 2") of the screw to penetrate the adjoining sleeper. Two screws per corner is ideal.

How do you join sleepers together?

In corners or joints, add extra screws to reinforce these high-stress areas. If sleepers are going on top of another layer, overlap joints and use screws to secure them together firmly. After fixing, inspect all screws to ensure they're tight and flush with the surface of the wood.

What do you put between sleepers and 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.

How to stop sleepers from rotting in the ground?

Tips to Stop Sleepers from Rotting
  1. Choose Treated Wood. When buying sleepers, opt for ones that have been pressure-treated with preservatives. ...
  2. Provide Proper Drainage. Sleepers rot quickly if they're sitting in waterlogged soil. ...
  3. Elevate Them Above Ground. ...
  4. Use a Damp-Proof Membrane. ...
  5. Seal the Ends.

What is the maximum spacing between sleepers?

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.

What is the best tool to cut sleepers with?

There are many ways to cut sleepers, but we recommend using a circular saw for accuracy, precision and speed.

What are the best screws for sleepers?

Timberlok screws are an alternative to traditional coach screws and can be used in a number of timber to timber applications. One of the most popular uses for Timberlok screws is fixing timber sleepers together.

What's the difference between green and brown sleepers?

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.

How deep to bury sleepers?

Each of these sleepers needs to be treated as if it's a fence post and concrete separately into a hole at least 1/3 of the total heigh of the sleeper being installed, i.e. 1500mm sleeper would need to be buried 500mm into the ground.

How to fix a sleeper to the ground?

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. Step 5 – Finishing off the surface of the sleepers, make sure you sand off any sharp edges or splinters of wood.

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