The basic things you need to know before building a retaining wall.

It is already a known and accepted fact that used railway sleepers have a lot of uses. Because of this, we have earlier come up with a post about the Railway Sleeper Projects, in which we have discussed some of the ways to re-use railway sleepers. Part of the post included using railway sleepers as a material for making a retaining wall. But what exactly is a retaining wall? And why is it a good idea to use railway sleepers in building one?

A retaining wall is basically a structure that prevents soil from eroding or falling from unnatural slopes. The structure is used restrain soil from moving towards an undesired direction especially when building a structure on slopes or land development. Retaining walls are important structures because they make land development easier to maximize and process.

Building a retaining wall is not an easy task. It requires extensive efforts on surveying, studies, material sorting and acquisition, designing, construction, and maintenance. Retaining walls unlike any other structures are simple in concept but what make it complicated are the other factors that come along it like the force of gravity and material strength. Here are some points you need to remember in making a retaining wall;

• Survey the area where you will put the wall. Check on the location of the area where you will put the wall. Is this an applicable site to build the structure? Are you going to be in any disturbance to the ecology of the area? Also, put into consideration the climate and the weather pattern of your chosen location. This will make you understand the soil better.
• Study the soil that your wall is going to restrain. Different types of soil require different kinds of wall structures and/or materials. Understanding what you are up against will make you more prepared and adept to the future task at hand.
• Properly choose the right materials for the wall. There are a lot of materials available today for building walls. All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Always be careful in deciding on what materials you are to use for your restraining wall. It must possess enough strength to restrain the soil from falling through all weathers and must also be sturdy enough. It also should be cost effective and efficient. An oak railway sleepers, with its experience on being a part of a rail track can be a good starting choice for your railway sleeper.
• Know the right time to build your wall. Building a structure that will restrain soil and will be against gravity requires extensive effort and preparation. To lessen the burden, eliminate other factors like soil erosion through rain and wind by choosing the right time to build your wall. Make a schedule and follow it efficiently.
• Build your wall fast but build it strong. Building a structure like a restraining wall can take time. But making use of the time efficiently and maximizing everything can make the process move faster without compromising the strength of the structure.
• Follow up with maintenance. Every so often, structures will have flaws. Not because you did something wrong in building it but because of natural occurrences. It’s always good to go back to your wall for regular maintenance to see the integrity of the structure.

Always keep in mind that restraining wall are structures that must always be of good quality. Choosing quality materials for the right situation and location is always the key to building a strong structure with high integrity.

Turning Railway Sleepers into a Coffee Table

It is true that there are lots of creative projects that can be done using railway sleepers, but did you know that many people also use these versatile beams to make a coffee table? Railway sleepers are very much ideal to use for this piece of furniture because they give it a rustic feel that is very suitable for such item.

What is a coffee table?

A coffee table is technically a low type of table that is commonly placed in the living room, and near a sofa. It is originally designed to support things such as beverages, books and other small items that are used while sitting. A coffee table may come in different shapes and styles, and although metal coffee tables have gained much popularity over the years, wood is still the most common material used to make one.

Using railway sleepers to make coffee tables

We are all aware that railway sleepers are great materials to be used in various projects. Aside from being useful in the railway industry, we have found ways to make use of these beams in a more creative and definitely productive manner.

Using railway sleepers is no longer limited to gardening and other landscaping purposes. They are also great for making furniture items like chairs, book shelves, and even coffee tables. If you prefer to have a custom-made coffee table, it is a brilliant idea to make use of oak railway sleepers because of the following reasons:

·         Railway sleepers are easy to acquire. Railway sleepers have no problem with supply, rendering them affordable and easy to avail, whenever there is a need.

·         You can save on costs. Railway sleepers are definitely cheaper compared to other materials that you can use to make a quality coffee table.

·         Oak railway sleepers add character to your piece of furniture, making it look more interesting. It can also make your coffee table the perfect central piece for a simple sitting room, with its rustic feel.

What are the considerations in choosing oak sleepers?

When using oak sleepers as a material for making furniture, it is very important that you take note of its texture and colour. These things may be altered according to your preference through sanding, brushing, and oiling. It is also advisable to choose a sleeper that is not twisted or warped. A straight sleeper with fewer curves along its length is ideal to make it easier to manipulate or cut depending on what you need.