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Oak Sleepers
Solid oak sleepers, 2300 mm long, 200 mm wide and 100 mm thick. Oak is Durability Class 2 and naturally resists rot without preservative, which makes these new, untarred sleepers the long lasting choice for raised beds, retaining walls and steps. Stocked in our warehouse and delivered across Ireland.
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New Oak Sleepers for Gardens
Our oak sleepers are new, solid oak, 2300 mm long, 200 mm wide and 100 mm thick. Oak is the hardwood with the longest track record outdoors in Ireland, which is why it’s the first choice for raised beds, retaining walls and steps that have to last.
Why Oak Railway Sleepers
- Durability Class 2: naturally resistant to rot, insects and fungal decay, without preservative.
- Heavy and strong: at around 720 kg/m³, a sleeper wall stays put.
- Fresh sawn, not reclaimed: no tar, creosote or oil seeping out, so they’re safe beside food crops, children and pets.
- Character: honey brown with open grain, and it gets better with age.
How Long Do Oak Sleepers Last?
Drainage and ground contact matter most. Sleepers that sit on free draining gravel and can dry out between showers last far longer than ones buried in wet soil. Line raised beds with a membrane and keep the bottom course out of standing water.
Colour, Tannin and Fixings
New oak is honey brown. In the first rains it releases tannin, which can mark light paving or gravel below it, so lay sleepers before you lay pale surfaces, or protect them while the oak settles. Tannin also reacts with mild steel and galvanised fixings and leaves black streaks, so use stainless steel screws and threaded rod from our outdoor timber hardware.
Oiling Oak Sleepers
Oak doesn’t need treating to last, but left bare it weathers to a silver grey over about twelve months. Most people oil it to keep the honey brown. Use a hardwood oil made for European oak, apply it in the first few months, and refresh it every two or three years. See our wood oils and stains.
For sizes, project ideas and laying guidance, see our full guide to railway sleepers. For oak in beam and post sections, see our oak beams and posts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Sleepers
How long do oak sleepers last?
We don’t quote a fixed number of years, because drainage and ground contact matter most. Oak is Durability Class 2, naturally resistant to rot, insects and fungal decay, and has the longest track record outdoors of any species we stock.
Will oak sleepers stain or go grey?
They weather from honey brown to a soft silver grey over about twelve months. Oak’s tannin also stains mild steel and galvanised fixings black, so use stainless steel.
What oil should I use on oak sleepers?
A hardwood oil made for European hardwoods, such as Deks Olje D1, which is made for new oak. Apply it within the first few months and refresh every two or three years. Seasonite is not suitable for oak.