Railway Sleepers For Your Garden

By Author: Adam Nicolson
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If you want to create, interesting structures in your garden quickly and easily railway sleepers are well worth considering. They can be used in a variety of ways and produce stunning looking structures, which require very little maintenance. Railway sleepers can be used for paths, to create raised flower or vegetable plots and to build plant pots. They can also be used to build a range of garden features.

Railway Sleeper Decking

Because railway sleepers are made of wood, they make beautiful decking. Their thickness means that they are durable and will not move, once down. Both re-cycled railway sleepers and new garden sleepers can be use as decking. However, new sleepers will dry out and settle slightly, which will in time create gaps between each sleeper. For this reason, most people construct their decking out of pre-seasoned sleepers.

It is possible to sand down new sleepers and treat them with a stain or a wood seal to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. However, most people prefer the lighter and more contemporary look of untreated railway sleepers, so simply lay them and leave them bare.

Unusual ...
... Garden Structures

Stood on end, next to each other, in a semi circle railway sleepers can be used to create a beautiful curved wall. Many people add a round patio or deck, and a table to provide the perfect outdoor dining area.

The railway sleepers look stunning, and create a very effective windbreak. In the summer, this area can act as a suntrap as well as providing an additional private area in the garden. Most homeowners can do this project themselves. However, digging the holes for each sleeper and cementing them in place does require a bit of muscle, so many people hire a builder to do this for them. The holes need to be quite deep to ensure the sleepers do not topple over, so it is a job that takes time.

Railway sleepers are also perfect for building bridges. They are the ideal length to provide enough width for two people to pass with ease. Sleepers are also perfect for outdoor furniture. They make good benches and tables, which look beautiful without requiring a lot of maintenance.

For a great selection of railway sleepers visit, www.TurfandStuff.com. They offer a 3 day delivery service to anywhere in the UK.