admin Railway sleepers have been used for centuries as the foundation that track is laid on. These wooden ties are heavy, long-lasting, and they’ve proven reliable for decades on end without needing any additional work or maintenance. Because of their long lives and durability these sleepers have attracted the notice of everyone from home builders to landscapers who are looking for a way to get just a little bit more for their money.
How These Ties Are Used
Railway sleepers might seem like they’re built for a very specific purpose, but people are often surprised by the sheer number of tasks these stout timbers can fulfill under the right circumstances (and with enough creativity). For those with a green thumb, for instance, these ties are a fantastic way to set borders around flower or vegetable gardens. For a low wall, simply dig a small trench around the border of the garden in question, and then lay the tie in the ground so that only about half of its length sticks up. For those who want a higher border wall simply stack more ties atop the original, and attach them. Its a simple method that doesn’t require a great deal of skill or expensive tools, but which can still make a garden look quaint while keeping it safe from accidental incursions from the lawnmower.
The Advantages of Using Railway Sleepers
In addition to the good feeling one might get from recycling a perfectly usable item, sleepers come with other advantages that make them ideal for garden use. They’re solid, strong, and because they were meant to be outside for long periods of time these ties are also treated to endure in the elements. Some ties are pressure-treated, and others are treated with eco-friendly chemicals to shrug off punishment from wind, rain, sun, and general moisture, which means these ties are perfect for hemming in a back garden and staying strong for a dozen years or longer.
A Constant Supply
Since trains aren’t going to stop being a popular form of mass transit any time soon, it’s a safe assumption that there will be plenty of railway sleepers getting replaced for many, many years to come. That means they’re only going to increase in popularity as a building and landscaping material, as these exemplary pieces of lumber are going to need to be replaced with plenty of miles left on them, so to speak. So whether someone needs a simple garden wall, or an attractive piece of lumber to protect this season’s flowers as they sprout up, these sleepers are ready, willing, and able to do the job in ways that other lumber simply can’t.
When seen in that light, it’s no wonder that railway sleepers have become so popular over the years for purposes that don’t involve trains in the slightest. For that kind of strength, durability, and cost, it just makes good sense for those who are looking to save money on their homes and landscapes to use ties that have otherwise been gotten rid of.