From marking boundaries in your garden to building an oak sleeper retaining wall or raised bed, Arranwood Oak Railway Sleepers provide the perfect solution. This is long-lasting untreated green oak sourced from sustainable locations that can last for years in your outdoor spaces, making them the ideal timber for a multitude of landscaping purposes.

Available in single sleepers or in packs of 40 upon request.

What are untreated oak sleepers?

Untreated oak sleepers are also known as garden railway sleepers (as they are traditionally used in the laying of rail tracks). They are large pieces of timber that are put to work for landscaping purposes in the garden. Garden sleepers can be used on things like lawn and border edging, raised beds, retaining walls and for defining pathways. 

What are the benefits of garden railway sleepers?

• Long-lasting: When treated correctly the lifespan of new oak sleepers can last between 20-30 years, even with continued heavy use and ongoing exposure to the elements. If you choose not to treat the timber they still last for a long time and can add to any rustic aesthetic you have in the garden.
• Eco-friendly: Our untreated oak sleepers are sourced from various locations around Europe and only from sustainable forestry resources. These are locations where a long term, holistic view of the environment is taken to protect the integrity of the land. 
• Natural appeal: Aside from their longevity, one of the main reasons new oak sleepers are so popular is the natural qualities they add to the garden. Timber not only performs really well out in the open, but it also fits in perfectly with the surrounding environment.

Our oak sleepers are cut square-edged but some imperfections, wane (bark) and scalloping may also feature on the edges, although this generally adds to the overall natural aesthetic. 

What are the features of untreated oak railway sleepers?

• Because oak sleepers are still seasoning and drying out this means natural splits will occur in the timber as it fractionally moves and shrinks. 
• High levels of natural tannic acid (tannins) can be found in oak which is why the timber is so durable.
• Tannins will eventually leach out of the wood which may leave sediment behind. While this at first looks like a stain, over time it will fade and weather to form a natural silver-grey shade.
• Tannins are corrosive to metals (due to their ferrous content) so we advise that stainless steel fixings are used to avoid corrosion. Alternatively, fixings with a strong outer coating could also be used. 

How do you treat oak sleepers?

These untreated oak sleepers will last much longer than softwood alternatives if left untreated, however, should you wish to prolong the initial colour and the character of the oak, when treating oak sleepers it is recommended that you use clear wood oil or decking oil that doesn’t include UV filters (linseed oil is a good option). This ensures the appearance of the wood ages naturally while it remains nourished and water-resistant. Long-term this will protect against moisture damage caused by rain and frost. 

Can you cut railway sleepers?

You are able to make cuts on a railway sleeper and the best way to do so is to use either a chainsaw or circular saw. This should be a relatively straightforward task and will enable you to make flower beds and similar in the garden. Once untreated oak sleepers are cut the centre will be exposed, so it is a good idea to add a coat of wood preservative to protect the wood from the elements.

The approximate weight of each sleeper is 30kg.