As wood is a naturally porous material, it will absorb water over time, causing it to expand and contract with temperature changes. If you choose timber sleepers with a high moisture content level, they are more likely to warp or split over time as well as attracting fungus growth – leading to further decay.
Sleepers that are at least 75mm (3 inches) thick are the best to use. Anything thinner can be too weak, and can easily buckle or warp or break. Hardwoods like our Mixed Australian Hardwood Sleepers and Reclaimed Cypress are great as they are extra-strong. Our Reclaimed Cypress – Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (syn.
If you're not going to anchor your sleepers with posts or stakes, then it's a good idea to dig a shallow trench to fix your sleepers into place and prevent movement over time. Use string to help you dig the trench straight and to the right level.
If you're placing your sleepers straight onto the earth, we recommend installing a waterproof layer first to prevent water from soaking up through the wood. Water damage could cause the sleepers to warp over time. You can also pin your sleepers into position using a wooden post or stake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When placed in the ground, sleepers are in constant contact with soil, which holds moisture. Without proper protection, this dampness can lead to the wood rotting, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. The UK's unpredictable weather doesn't help either!
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.
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.
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.
Iroko, Oak, Western Red Cedar, Cherry, Maple and heat-treated woods are just a few examples of timber that boast excellent dimensional stability and high resistance to shrinking and warping in the face of moisture.
Being in contact with the ground, hardwood railway sleepers are better suited for this project. Wooden pathways can be prone to mould and algae over time which can make them slippery.
To flatten a warped piece of wood, you'll need to change the moisture content on one side of the board. Look at your warped board and identify the inside face of the “C” or cup. The wood fibers on this side of your board are dryer and have shrunk. You can use water to relieve the tension and allow the board to flatten.
Wood warping is a deviation from flatness in timber as a result of internal residual stress caused by uneven shrinkage. Warping primarily occurs due to uneven expansion or contraction caused by changes in moisture content.
Sealing the ends of wood can also help prevent warping caused by uneven drying. Moisture leaves wood ten to fifteen times faster from its ends than through its other surfaces.
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.
It is known that concrete sleepers installed in various places around Australia some decades ago are apparently still performing satisfactorily, so the general assumption that such sleepers should last 50 years or more has received at least anecdotal support.
Concrete sleepers have many advantages like longer lifespan, high stability, small maintenance, low damage rate and low scrap rate. They are widely used in high speed railway and the stability is much higher than wood sleepers. Many countries chose concrete sleepers to build high speed passenger line.
Yes, you can lay railway sleepers directly on soil - but it's not always the best choice. For light garden features like paths or decorative borders, direct laying can work well if you prepare the ground properly. But for anything structural or permanent, you'll want proper foundations.
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.
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.