Treated sleepers are a popular choice among gardeners and homeowners. From raised beds, borders, and water features to patios, pergolas, or garden steps, they are used in numerous landscaping and gardening projects.

Softwood sleepers are more cost-effective than their hardwood counterparts. They are also lighter and easier to handle and very rarely have dimensional defects or knots. At the same time, these sleepers are pressure-treated, which extends their life span and improves rot resistance. In fact, these treated garden sleepers will last 10 years and even more with proper use and care.

While green and brown softwood sleepers differ in appearance and colour, they are in fact the same sleeper in different treatment colours, all made from UK grown timber and with sustainable forestry practices. Sleepers treated with Tanalith E are safe for use by children and pets. We believe that purchasing your timber from a reputable source is a reliable investment for years to come. At Luxury Wood, we focus on high-quality products that we can sell with pride. If you need help choosing the most suitable type of wood for your outdoor area, visit this guide. For inspiration about your next sleeper project, you can browse through these beautiful ideas. 

FAQ

How long do treated sleepers last? 

Our treated softwood sleepers are guaranteed to last 10 years. Their life can be extended further by applying suitable decking oils or wood preservatives. Some people apply wood dyes to their sleepers to change the tint. 

Do all green treated sleepers turn grey? 

All softwood timber will go through a gradual change in colour over time and that's a natural process, but they will not grey like Oak, per se. You can adopt some simple measures to retain the colour of softwood sleepers. For example, you can wash them and apply a layer of wood preserving stains once a year for a return of the deeper colour. This is useful especially before wet and cold winter months. Such maintenance will prolong the effects of the pressure treatment and keep the wood looking its best.

Oak Versus Softwood Sleepers? 

People often ask, are Oak or Softwood sleepers better? The key thing to remember is that Oak is a hardwood, and will not need treating, however Oak is scarce and therefore it is more expensive. Softwood however is more economical, and due to technologies in wood preservation treatments it will usually last as long as the Oak anyway. The key thing to remember is that Oak, being from a hardwood tree, will have more knots and sometimes minor splits or bark, although some people prefer this for the characterful appearance.