3 Things You Should Know About Oak

Oak is one of the most popular materials used for making wood furniture. Due to its durability, oak was used to build war ships during the 19^th century. Nowadays, it is commonly used for building aesthetically pleasing furniture to adorn the home. Let’s get to know a little more about oak.

1.   Features

·         Oak’s classic appearance can give a rustic ambience to any home.

·         It comes in different colour variations. (See photo below).

·         Oak is not prone to water damage or corrosion.

·         Oak is resistant to scratching, staining and dust.

·         It has smooth texture and good durability.

2.   Purpose

Oak can be used for different purposes. Commonly used for decoration, the construction of an infrastracture, garden furniture, etc., oak is a very adaptable material.

·         Oak as coffee table

 

·         Oak as garden furniture

·         Oak as a dresser

3.   Maintenance

Oak products are easy to maintain. You can easily use paste wax to re-finish old oak furniture. It acts as a protectant and is a good cleaning agent. You can also use oil to clean oak furniture. A linseed oil can make it more moisture-resistant.

If you want the simplest way to maintain oak, you can simply wipe your furniture with a damp cloth and dry it with a clean cloth, once a week, to clear dirt.

However, oak can be prone to wear if it is not properly maintained. Here are some things to avoid:

               

·         Avoid direct sunlight.

·         Avoid putting hot items such as pans on top of oak furniture.

·         Do not use strong cleaning agents.

Railway Sleeper offers different types of oak railway sleepers in the UK. If you have any inquiries about our products, please call +44 (0) 1536-267-107. We are always happy to help!

How to Build Railway Sleeper Steps

Are you planning to add more detail or accent to your garden? Build wooden garden steps using new railway sleepers.

What materials do you need?

•   Wooden sleeper
•   Stakes or mason’s line
•   Drill
•  Handsaw or chainsaw
•  Tape measure
•   Wheel barrow

The steps involved in making wooden garden steps

1.       Prepare all the materials listed above.

2.       Measure the entire area where you intend to place the garden steps. Cut the railway sleepers based on your measurements. You can use a handsaw but a chainsaw is much better, especially if you are using thick wood.

3.       Place a stake or a mason’s line into the ground, then level it using a straightedge to determine the height of the bottom and top step. Don’t forget to add markings.

4.       Using your tape measure, calculate the distance between your two markings. Determine the gap between the bottom and top step. This can help you to determine the number of railway sleepers that you need to use for the wooden steps.

5.       Dig two trenches at the bottom for installing sleepers flush with grade. This will serve as your bottom step. Make sure that the trenches are side to side and are measured based on your set width.

6.       Before placing any sleeper on the ground, add wood preservative to the ends to avoid early decay and deterioration. Drill holes at both ends of the sleeper, with 9/16 inch diameter.

7.       Set the railway sleepers in trenches. Make sure that they are perfectly aligned with the surrounding grade.

8.       Place two 6x6 railway sleepers on top of the wood base. This will serve as your first step. Fasten the wood using a 10-inch landscaping screw.

9.       Settle two more railway sleepers on top of the first step to support the second step. Repeat this until you reach the highest step. Always make sure you fasten the timber properly to prevent it from moving after installation.

10.   Backfill around the sleepers using pea gravel or any filler you prefer to use. This will give the perfect finish to your garden step.

What are the advantages of using railway sleepers for your garden steps?

•  Wood is less expensive compared to other materials like bricks, stones, etc.
•  It is easy to install and requires basic carpentry skills.
•  Wood has different natural designs that will add distinction to your garden.
•  Wood mixes well with other materials.

Visit the Railway Sleeper website or call 01536-267-107 to learn more. Phone lines are open from Monday to Saturday.

Image source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/17/4d/1c/174d1c4b9d61e46c687459a99ceb1c7f.jpg

Natural Characteristics of Wood