Sleepers - Spruce or Douglas fir?

Hightowermark · 12 Jun 2013

Going to use sleepers in my garden and found a local place that sells softwood sleepers. They come in spruce or douglas fir (the douglas fir is 20% more).

So would laying them on gravel be the best and then using rebar to secure them in the ground?

As these are softwood and not treated what would be the best to treat them with? Have a few tins of clear decking oil here would that be ok?

And which is better Spruce or Douglas fir?

thanks

Hightowermark · 13 Jun 2013

anyone?

wrathkeg · 14 Jun 2013

there is advice about building with sleepers on pavingexpert.com by memory, it suggests laying on concrete and using rebar through them, or metal strapping.

don't know about different types of sleepers, or treatments I'm afraid.

jay679 · 14 Jun 2013

If you hunt around, oak can be found for not much more than the cost of softwood.

fencer35 · 24 Jun 2013

Doug fir is alot more durable than spruce.
If pressure treated then you wil get more than 20% more life expectancy with the Douglas.

Spruce shouldnt be used in ground contact

good luck

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Sleepers - Spruce or Douglas fir?

Hightowermark

Hightowermark

wrathkeg

jay679

fencer35

DIYnot Local

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