We’ve previously covered using railway
sleepers as steps, kerbing, retaining walls, and several other uses regarding
gardening, art, and décor. There’s no end to the many ways a railway sleeper
can be utilised, and the only limit is your imagination.
There are still a lot of projects you can
do with railways sleepers. Before you proceed with this article, make sure that
you are aware about the railway sleeper/s you have bought; treated railway
sleepers can be hazardous and may be illegal in your area, so please read “Health
and Safety Concerns When Using Railway Sleepers” first.
Fences
Railway sleepers are great when used as fences,
particularly as border fences because treated railway sleepers are weather proofed,
which can last for years before needing to be replaced. However, treated
railway sleepers should not be used in gardens as the chemicals used for wood
treatment can be absorbed into the soil, which harms the flora around the
sleeper. Untreated or new railway sleepers are exceptions of course, although they should be treated later
with an environmentally-friendly wood treatment to extend its lifetime.
Decking
and Patios
Railway sleepers are good candidates for
decking and patios. Why? They are readily available in large sizes and numbers,
and they’re tough. You can trust them to be sturdy even through years of use.
Structures
Aside from walling, decking, and patios, railway
sleepers can be used to build a variety of structures like tree houses,
playgrounds, bridges, outhouses, etc. Do not use treated sleepers if human
contact will be frequent (i.e. playgrounds).
Ponds
With some sealants involved, you can use untreated
railway sleepers to create ponds as an addition to your garden.
Posts
and poles
Wood is treated to lessen maintenance
requirements, which is why treated wood is used in railways, telephones, signs,
and the like. Use railway sleepers if you want to create projects similar to
these.
Firewood
Untreated railway sleepers are perfectly
safe to burn as firewood if already cut to an appropriate size. DO NOT BURN treated
railway sleepers because it can ruin your burner or fireplace, and burning it
will release noxious gasses and smoke in the vicinity or through the air.
