TIMBER SLEEPERS - 3 Ways to Build Walls and Raised Beds

One of our most viewed types of projects is building with oak sleepers. I have tried a few options over the years, so here is a look at some of those. This would apply to oak, treated or reclaimed sleepers. Full build videos and tools used below.
TOOLS I USED
The Big Circular Saw - amzn.to/2XeWcQi
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Makita Chainsaw - amzn.to/2HJDNFk
Makita Belt Sander - amzn.to/2J1jrHL
Framing Chisel - amzn.to/2VLwx1D
Post Spirit Level - amzn.to/2riQUlw
150mm Fencing Auger - amzn.to/2rlS1Bg
String Line - amzn.to/2riFyhB
Stainless Coach Screws - amzn.to/2JK7KRS
Draper Soil Augur 150mm (Bigger version) - amzn.to/2Vqbthh
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TIMBER SLEEPER PLAYLIST
• Raised Bed and Oak Sle...
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#OAKSLEEPERS #RASIEDBEDS #SLEEPERS

[@chetanasantoshkumar4676]

Wow,that's so professionally built,amazing!

[@UKSegue]

Was thinking today about starting a project like this in the summer and then I see this notification. Very grateful !

[@jamesward2141]

Converted my garage following your videos and am now looking to do our garden and searched retaining wall in KZbin and couldn’t be happier to see you face - I haven’t even watched the video yet ha but know that I can trust your advice!

[@MrJohnnynapalm7]

A very useful summary, Tim. Hope you’re all keeping safe and well 👍

[@sukikahlon1]

Thank you, I had so many questions about doing this properly, and you answered all of them. At least now I can do it with confidence and knowing it won't move or break.

[@jodybeard5974]

Great advice and such an easy video to watch and understand Tim. Thanks,All the best

[@homesteadhousewife9964]

Yay! I like this vertical design!

[@andrewrayner9339]

Fair play just seen your video on raised beds and sleeper wall, good ideas will defo try out, send pics when done. 👍🏻

[@munafmufc01]

Always helpful and inspiring, excellent techniques. Your a pro. Hope you are all well and safe.

[@elizabethh4648]

Excellent work!! Thanks for sharing...

[@jimmylittleuk]

Thanks for pulling this together. Great work. The cables hanging from your computer monitor triggered my OCD 😃

[@svong8789]

This is a superb video. Excellent build, and very well thought through.

[@martyshannon2144]

Thanks for the good information on how the are built 💯. I will be using this advice on my own build. Thanks again 👍

[@coffeefortwosolly]

I’ve watched every single one of your videos and still loved this .. I helped a friend lay a decking many year ago...we were novices ( and not too young ) and he sent a picture over after he had pressure washed like you do in isolation..and it’s still strong looking good...so proud! It’s good to look back and see these project stand the test of time. 🙋🏻‍♀️🇬🇧💕

[@tomgriffiths1589]

Just found you! Super grateful for the material. Keep up the great work 🤛🏻

[@MrJarkeveld]

...perfect video..I have made a few ideas now..thanks for posting..Jason in Perth Australia

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Very helpful video, going to try a small raised bed today! (I normally only work with masonry related stuff!)

[@jodyking7020]

That was an amazing video. Thank you for the ideas

[@JamesTombs]

Perfect timing. This is my project this summer. Currently doing lots of prep work getting lawn level.

[@philipoconnor2236]

How did you get on ?

[@metube5691]

Wondering the same!

[@niallkennedy23]

very useful video dude. thanks for posting it.

[@shadsz1444]

Lovely advice and clear love it

[@TimBruce1]

Awesome. Really nice work.

[@bryancarder5943]

Great video. Stay safe

[@keiftaff8244]

Great video and well explained method

[@MrWelshwhiz]

This is a really good video. Thanks.

[@amateurtorque6709]

Thanks so much for this video. Im pleased you've shown it four years after as well.

[@Lee-kd3be]

Love all three ideas. Currently looking to convert the front of my garden with sleepers. It’s a new build so the soil is very clayey and crap if I’m honest. Not the best at diy but hoping it doesn’t look crap when I’m finished lol

[@joannelord5015]

Very helpful thank you!

[@martinb9996]

Great summary - thank you! A project for the Spring for me. I saw a nice lighting detail on another video which I’m going to use - sleeper wall built up on their edges with a top sleeper capping wide side down. Routing a groove along the underside to take an LED strip light. Looked great!

[@quasimsuhail8686]

do you have the link to that video please

[@davecatalyst]

Really helpful, thanks 🙏

[@niallkennedy23]

Nice one mate. Gony have a bash at this over the summer.

[@justmeagain6135]

❤love this channel!!!

[@olivermarsh2183]

You completely inspired me to build a Sleeper wall. Would never have had the confidence before so thank you. Its gone great and looks wonderful. Would you be able to provide a link to the osmo oil you used as I love the finish and colour you ended with?

[@SteveZussou]

i like the vertical wall, 'im going to do a mix of horizontal, then add a vertical curve to retain a driveway space. Cheers

[@KevinSmith-bj3td]

Great vid, really useful👍👍

[@redrock425]

Interesting channel. Just creating two short sections with vertical Azobe sleepers, very heavy! Not the cheapest but I'm hoping they will outlast me. Also putting in some steps using the same sleepers. Doing it myself I can appreciate the amount of work you've put into these projects. As an amateur the more detail about methods and materials the better, thanks for taking the time to create the videos.

[@EldenSC]

Great video! On the second method, you fixed the corners with posts sitting inside the bed (hidden) but I was wondering what you did on the corners angling the other opposite way? I don't really want to put a post on the outside. Thanks.

[@Varun9287]

Thanks for a great reminder video, very useful! I'm planning to put a retaining wall using sleepers in the middle of my sloping garden to create 2 separate flat terraces. Can you please suggest how should I tackle drainage in the garden area which will be behind the 600mm sleeper wall? The subsoil is heavy clay..

[@freeman7788]

Good clip bro cheers from Oz...

[@antoniohenrique7966]

I love it!!!

[@frazerwiggins5616]

Great videos , keep safe and keep up the good work :)

[@qwikfacts]

Awesome video thank you, very practical and helpful. Question on the second type, how did you secure the "internal corners". I understand on a standard external corner using a post into the ground as per your video. But on the opposite type of corner (which i have 2 to deal with). I'm curious about how you secured it to the ground.

[@Goodban17]

Great video as always Tim! Have you used sleepers to do any outdoor steps? I need to build a 20 meter staircase on a sloped track, was thinking is using sleepers and securing at the top and bottom corners in concrete footings.

[@chchedda]

Excellent video mate. Just what I need for my garden project in summer. Is it best to set your sleepers first then do the crusher run/ soil bed.

[@rich3633]

I used a concrete strip footing and through bolted the the first row of sleepers down., Similar to a timber frame house. You have to counter bore the holes so the stud and nut sit below flush and you can get a socket on it. Its easy to get everything level first with the shuttering for the concrete. I just timberlock screw the rest together. Rock solid.

[@BrasherFox]

Good greef, have I been watching these vlogs 6 years!!! How time flys and I remember watching those. But hey, your children where just babes then!!!!! Here's to the next 6.

[@AndyTaylor_Paintguy]

Good stuff Tim. I saw the original videos but it's nice to see a recap, especially as I have 22 sleepers turning up on Monday for a low retaining wall. Ground works almost finished, two 90 degree returns at the ends and steps built in the middle to lock it all together. Sounds easy lol 😆

[@timwilcox960]

Hi Andy - your comment caught my eye as all the builders and timber merchants where I live (South Devon) are closed - so I'm intrigued to know who you've found that's taking orders and making deliveries during the lock down? A link to your supplier would be much appreciated - thanks in advance! ;-)

[@AndyTaylor_Paintguy]

Same here Tim, I ended up getting them online from railwaysleepers.com. Probably not the cheapest way of doing it but as you say, most timber yards are closed.

[@RADCOMJ1]

loved watching this, great ideas!!..it actually made me a bit tired watching you work though lol

[@KaemanR]

Great video - really helped me decide layout and fixing. Can you tell me which specific Osmo oil you used on the laid flat? Looks great!

[@daveyes9571]

Great video, thanks. What did you line the beds with at 4.34, and how did you fix it to the timber - stapled? Would DPM sheet do the trick? Presumably you have geotextile on the bottom? Thanks!

[@Gaatyeo]

I did method #1 last year, followed your video. Very heavy work on your own, but results great. I bought the oaks dowels, but only used them as detail, I did not fancy being spun by the drill! Thanks for videos

[@TheRestorationCouple]

It was a little bucking bronco if you don’t hold on tight! 😂

[@Dogstho]

@@TheRestorationCouple Hi, can I build a small house out of this? Or no ? I just wondering because the wall out of this sleepers looks so good. Thanks

[@callumshawyer-west1029]

What size circular saw did you upgrade to? looks the perfect size

[@simongb7897]

Just spent most of today clearing paving and dirt ready to do exactly this,raised beds and seating combined. But where do I get nice oak sleepers like that and those great looking dowels? look great and keeps it nice and rustic but clean.

[@daz8418]

great channel ....been thinking of a sauna made from sleepers for the backyard...any tips

[@themechanicaladvantage3697]

Great video, I’m starting my own sleeper retaining wall project soon, I’m going to stack them with the thin side down as in your second video, with support sleepers at the front vertically, would you concrete in the first course of sleepers?

[@DavidJHarrisonEssex]

Thanks. Very good/interesting video. I was thinking of making a sleeper 'unit' but I was thinking on having the bottom one FLAT & the others.on top of that on their sides, what do you think? Now I've seen this I will put post at each corner for added strength. I'm now thinking of drilling holes through them as you did.on your 1st build but using METAL bars through the sleepers that are on their sides as well as metal plates screwed to them, what you think? Thanks.

[@graemesmith8509]

Great projects. With the sleepers soldiered end on how deep did you dig the trench ? For gravel and to the lower open side?

[@stephenohear2133]

The colour on this sleepers at time 3:05 is absolutely fantastic deep colour. I heard you mentioned Osmo which I used for my internal oak flooring, but would anyone know what colour this is from Osmo external? Absolutely great job btw with those sleepers, its given me a bit of inspiration for another project, and i'd like them to colour match yours in the video!

[@lewispewsey6843]

Hello Tim how are you and the family loved the video as always stay safe

[@TheRestorationCouple]

All good here thank you. Keeping busy. 👍

[@wizspencer]

Well this came at good time

[@michaelhaile4994]

Thanks for the great video! What drill bit did you use for the 25mm dowel hole? Do you need a special drill to fit that size drill bit? Thanks again!

[@jandusko]

Very nice outcome and precise trimming. The only question I'd have is how long would it last without chemical treatment of that retaining wall at the end of the video.. I woul be suspicious. Done some projects myself and seems to me that not only the soil is culprite but moisture generally, concrete contact would do same in my opinion but i wished I'd be wrong.

[@heedmcheeed]

Hi in the raised beds (2nd project in this video) around 4:31 mins, you have some kind of black plastic lining with holes , is this for drainage /protection from soil touching the sleepers? And what is it called ? Many thanks , great work as always :)

[@markbutcher4100]

Looks very good. I’m surprised you didn’t include any drainage holes or pipes in the wall. Waters heavy.

[@kevinblitzcki2709]

Hello, You did a wonderful display of workmanship and skillfulness on this build and I hope you would be kind enough to answer those few questions: 1- You have anchored yours down to the ground using metal spikes to concrete, I have seen many builds where they dig a 3' long metal spike/peg into the ground but not sure how that will hold up over time as metal will rust out over time. I prefer your method. 2- If we're comparing the same build to a stone retaining wall, would timber be more cost-effective, and if so, by how much? 3- What would be the longevity expected from this wall compared to stone/cement build? I'm really looking to do my own retaining wall and I already know hiring a professional is going to cost thousands and having watched a few vids, it looks more than doable but there's always questions to be asked. Of course there's engineering involved in this and absolutely no cutting corners or cheaping out and but the results are definitely worth it. Many thanks again! :)

[@wemoveforward6413]

Hi mate. Hope you're well. I'm in the process of building a sleeper retaining wall. I'll be using RSJs vertically concreted in. Might be a silly question but how big should I dig the holes. I'm doing half in the hole half out. It's just the diameter of the hole I'm curious about. Thanks

[@MLD308]

Hi, how long did the beds take you to build in method 2? Looks great 👍🏻

[@hackettdavid]

Great video and information, but how can I fix sleepers down on to a concrete base that's already there . I'm stacking them up on the higher side as your 2nd video.

[@jonny5777]

We’ve built our raised bed using sleepers but I can’t find how I should fill them. The base is old paving slabs so I need a base of gravel or something then a membrane and the soil etc. I’m just not sure about drainage and planting (furniture maker not a gardener ha) Good video by the way 👍

[@nigelbullock9039]

You inspired me to build some walls using sleepers. I used a mixture of your great ideas. I built the walls by using the 200mm height on top of each other. Then I drilled a hole and then used timco long screws to secure. Then used dowls to fill the space I have drill out to make it look like Tim's impressive dowls that had been drilled all the way through all the sleepers. This way I hid the screws and had dowls instead.

[@davescopes249]

I'm building one soon in vertical. From about 4 foot down to about 8 inch. In a curved pattern. Thanks for sharing your video. 👍

[@tomdavis8644]

Hi, how deep did you dig down n your vertical wall? I’m looking for a 60cm wall, and hoping 30cm (90cm sleeper length)trench is deep enough

[@davescopes249]

@@tomdavis8644 Hi I'm a bit old school and measure in feet and inches most of the time. But on the sections of railway sleepers that are around 4foot out of the ground I dug down around 18 inches and put around 2 inches of gravel for drainage then concrete. As I worked down to the lower sleepers I just dug a bit less. On the ones that are only around 4 inches out of the ground I just used around 3 inches of concrete. I did it a few months ago now and it's as solid as a rock. I did fix a metal strap to the rear of them just below ground level. The galvanised metal strap was just the mesh trim that plasterers use. I hope this helps you mate. Good luck 👍

[@tomdavis8644]

@@davescopes249 Thanks Dave, Imperial mine will be 2 foot out and 1 foot deep, which sounds sufficient... What concrete mix ratio did you use?👍

[@davescopes249]

@@tomdavis8644 yes mate. If you are only having the sleepers 2 foot out of the ground then one foot deep is more than enough. I used a 6 part ballast to one part cement mix roughly. It won't need to be spot on. 👍

[@tomdavis8644]

@@davescopes249 was it a dry mix like in the video? Thanks 👍

[@OurHomeProjects]

Have been watching your channel for ages, but only now getting a chance to put things into practice. Can I ask how you found the weight of the sleepers? Any advice on which ones to get? I am a female diy-er with help from my husband when he can, so needing advice whether to get lighter ones (if there is a such thing!) so I can attempt the project alone or best to wait for when my other half is free to help shift them about. We're hoping to do a vertical sleeper wall project about 1-1.2m high and 14m long. Thanks so much.

[@ice4142]

Hi Tim, for the wall around your patio what size sleepers did you use? thanks

[@dannymurphy1779]

Tim I thought you would be using TIMco screws :).

[@lukesnell9277]

so should we really only look to use white oak for garden projects? is there much visual difference between white oaks?

[@szim71]

What do you think about painting the base and the sides of the timber where it meets soil with bitumen paint? Is it going to protect the oak from rot or the waterproofing mght be a bad idea since timber rots more quickly mainly due to water not being able to seep away? Thanks

[@thebobsmith1991]

Great wirk. I always wish we could get price estimates.

[@user-my9yn4yn6y]

For anyone looking to build raised beds which will last I recommend using oak gravel boards. These are fairly cheap compared to sleepers and are still thick enough for raised beds. Much longer lasting than pressure treated woods and won’t leach chemicals into soil!

[@otway00]

I used rebar to hold my lumber together. drilled hole thru all of the stack of lumber and used piece of rebar long enough to go into ground to hold lumber in place.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Yeah that’s a good option especially with softwood.

[@xbox360charlie]

Used your method before for stacking! Great video as always. I am going to do vertical now for a retaining wall on a driveway(sloped) how deep does the the trench have to be to support the load behind? Cheers!

[@TheWidowMaker.]

Hi mate, did you figure this out at all? I got the same project, my slope is quite steep and I need a height of about 3-4ft

[@xbox360charlie]

@@TheWidowMaker. Hi, what I did was cement a sleeper deep every 6 and used fence rails on the back side and have a smaller trench in between. I cemented the trench and applied tar to the back to protect them. You might want to do every 4 or so deep or a deeper smaller trench as your wall will be higher than mine but it should hold, I've had no problems since I finished the project.

[@chrisminton8887]

Hi Tim, love your videos and your methodical approach to DIY, keep up the great work mate. Quick question, can you recall which Osmo Tint colour you went for on your sleeper wall/patio? Regards Chris

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Oak is the uv oil tint name.

[@andrewwhitaker4578]

Hi thanks for sharing this brilliant video. I'm going to be making a raised patio using the sleepers on edge method with 4x4 fence posts as supports (the 2nd way shown here). Apart from the fixings being stainless steel what thickness should the coach screws be? and how long? 7"? Thanks a lot. Really enjoyed watching the video. Thanks.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Take a look at last weeks video. Might be a better guide, 150 landscaping screws are best.

[@fireblaster9961]

Nice using them dowels

[@TheRestorationCouple]

I’d hate to have this take them apart now! 😂

[@hilshils3426]

We have used method 1 & 2, using sleeper brackets to fix firmly into the ground for first ‘layer’, also keeps corners rigid. Loved your third way too...saw an example locally. Have you done one on sleeper steps?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

There were two steps last months in the bbq area build. 👍

[@deanpacker4369]

Great chanel!! Just wondering if your in the trades or u learn as you go? Very informative stuff and helps me out loads!!

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Thanks. No, it’s all DIY here. 👍

[@darkspeed62]

Do you only have to overlap at the corners as long as the length of your project allows for it if doing a raised bed?

[@matthewsmade]

Thanks Tim for all the work you put in to your videos. Where do your normally source your oak from not just sleepers. I know you have mentioned Yandels before. Also do you have any build knowledge of the difference between building with air dried and green oak. Thanks Tim

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Yes Yandles or valley sawmills. Green for framing, air dried for furniture or trim boards etc. Dry oak as a frame is much much harder and more expensive to work with.

[@matthewsmade]

@@TheRestorationCouple thanks after posting this I was having a restoration binge and found your vid on valley timber. I plan on building an chunky out side table using framing joinery. Never done anything like it so will see how it goes. Just ordered some air dried oak.

[@frogclip1]

Great video, I am just about to start on my garden and this advice will be really useful. I have also been catching up on your other videos on this subject. What company did you get your oak sleepers from please, any chance you can post the link?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Used a few different places. Most sawmills and suppliers sell them now. Quite a variation in quality though so best to see them in person. Just make sure they are European white oak rather than inferior imports.

[@SolivG]

Some great tips here and love the channel. Followd quite a few of your projects. Any tips on dealing with slightly sloping garden when laying long sleepers?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Doing it this week myself. I will put a post in and mark the brightest finish height, then run a string line to the start and measure down. You usually end up having to dig a bit more out to make sure the ends of the sleepers don’t show as the finish in to the slope.

[@SolivG]

@@TheRestorationCouple thank you for the reply. It is tricky as my garden slopes from end to end and also a bit side to side but I want my sleepers to be level rather than follow the ground.

[@cardiffrunner]

@@SolivG To save on timber the best way is to start at the lowest point, lay a length long enough to offer support to the next level, but don't leave too much below the ground level and then lay the next length on top, you just keep repeating the process. Happy to share photos of examples I've done.

[@davenunn7259]

Bahco 244. 7 teeth 8 points handsaw. Fantastic cut edge and only takes 2 mins to cut

[@396032]

Your videos have given me the confidence to remodel our garden using oak sleepers. I'm using one course of sleepers between the patio and grass, because these will be walked on how would you fix them in? I was thinking a full bed of wet cement mix, or would leveling onto a bed of compacted mot and digging a hole each end of each sleeper and filling with cement and using stainless hex screws like you did be enough?

[@TheRestorationCouple]

If doing one course the best to do an anchor bolt in concrete as you have suggested. If laying on wet concrete you would risk trapping water and rotting and also as oak shrinks and moves a little it may start to rock on the solid base. Other option is to drive metal stakes down through in to soil but you would then have to make the top look good with dowels or make a feature of them somehow.

[@396032]

@@TheRestorationCouple Thanks so much for your advice Tim.

[@mandygilchrist8738]

Thanks for the inspiring video! Could you tell me what it was you lined the raised bed with? They look like a great idea.

[@martybli]

That’s what I’m here for ☹️ we need answers 😀

[@paulwebber3282]

Hi new to channel. How do I put a more obtuse angle in sleepers for a corner? And can I just use sand and gravel as the bed please? Thanks

[@craigkirkpatrick2536]

Hey, where do I find the ‘build video series’ mentioned at ‘7.04’? Thanks.

[@Luke-pt5rn]

Hi I want to do something similar, regarding to 25mm drill holes what size dowels did you use? Thanks

[@viciousonion]

Going sound like a daft question but what type of sander do you use to get that finish?

[@billsicander7371]

Sorry if I am wrong, but I did not heard about joints between sleepers ? Aren’t we supposed to install such joints ? Thank you for this video

[@BanditEssex]

Some really excellent advice there. Great Video, at 3:00 minutes approx you've used OSMO UV Oil, would you happen to know which colour that was?.

[@TheRestorationCouple]

Oak colour. 👍

[@richardthomson1283]

How deep did you set the posts in, I assume using post crete?

[@jeffday8432]

Hi Tim, love your vids. Question, what material / membrane do you use to line the raised beds? Thanks

[@jamesbeddow8418]

That's a woven Geotextile is avaliable at pretty much all builders merchants non woven fleece is far better tho but costs more

[@cardiffrunner]

@@jamesbeddow8418 I personally prefer geotextile as it has a better strength compared to the non woven fleece, I also find it's better at resisting weeds such as mares tail.