What type of sleepers for garden?

What type of sleepers for garden?

Author
Discussion

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Looking to make a sand pit for my 1 YO, bit unsure about what type of sleepers to use; green, brown, black, reclaimed, new, treated, untreated.... Phew...

Any pointers?

Cheers

IanA2

2,762 posts

161 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Untreated.

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Where little ones are concerned I'd go untreated and absolutely certainly positively avoid reclaimed.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Cheers!

So new and untreated it is.

I assume reclaimed is a no because of diesel, tar and such?

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
DoubleSix said:
I assume reclaimed is a no because of diesel, tar and such?
Yup. They last well. But you wouldn't want your offspring chewing on the corner of one. thumbup

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
thumbup

bigee

1,485 posts

237 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Well...I would use treated (any timber used outside should be thus...) and also with a smooth/planed all round finish with 'eased' (basically corners rounded off ) edges. This is what I have used previously when constructing primary school play areas,and actually what was specced by designer/school.
Will cost a few quid more,but will last and be safe.Job done.

Halb

53,012 posts

182 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
I had one with concrete sleepers, it was ace. Like a castle.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
bigee said:
Well...I would use treated (any timber used outside should be thus...) and also with a smooth/planed all round finish with 'eased' (basically corners rounded off ) edges. This is what I have used previously when constructing primary school play areas,and actually what was specced by designer/school.
Will cost a few quid more,but will last and be safe.Job done.
Bugger. Nothings ever simple eh...,

bigee

1,485 posts

237 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Sorry for my reply mate !
still a simple operation,just sourcing/buying the right materials really which is after all what you asked originally !

bigee

1,485 posts

237 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Just had a very quick look....these ?
http://www.uk-timber.co.uk/product_info.php/planed...

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Cheers for the link!

I wasn't complaining fella, just always seem to get conflicting advice on stuff.

Much appreciated

smile

MGTS

326 posts

217 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Don't forget you'll need some sort of cover for the sand pit otherwise you will find it is the litter tray for the local cats / foxes etc

bigee

1,485 posts

237 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
No problem mate, just remember the old adage "opinions are like a###holes...everyone has one ". especially on P/Heads !!
Good luck with your project.

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Sleepers for a sand pit sounds like overkill to me, bearing in mind it will only get 3 or 4 years use.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Chrisgr31 said:
Sleepers for a sand pit sounds like overkill to me, bearing in mind it will only get 3 or 4 years use.
Yeah quite possibly. I just can't stand plastic kiddie stuff, hate it...


Coneyhurst Blue

582 posts

191 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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Hi DoubleSix,

I love sleepers, you can do so much !



Closer one of the sandpit - kids of all ages really enjoy it, we have had 2yr olds just making sand castles,
to 10yr olds making roads and cities !



Go for new sleepers, use a chainsaw, I hand cut these with a saw it was hard work !
Nice wood stain and everybody happy.

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
DoubleSix said:
Chrisgr31 said:
Sleepers for a sand pit sounds like overkill to me, bearing in mind it will only get 3 or 4 years use.
Yeah quite possibly. I just can't stand plastic kiddie stuff, hate it...
Not saying you should have a plastic one! We had a wooden one from Argos, which worked ok, lasted around 5 years. But you could probably use decking type timber or "Forest" products to make something that will last enough years.

Although in the ideal world I'd have put in a sandpit that I could have converted to a pond once daughter grew out of it.

DoubleSix

Original Poster:

11,691 posts

175 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Coneyhurst Blue said:
Hi DoubleSix,

I love sleepers, you can do so much !



Closer one of the sandpit - kids of all ages really enjoy it, we have had 2yr olds just making sand castles,
to 10yr olds making roads and cities !



Go for new sleepers, use a chainsaw, I hand cut these with a saw it was hard work !
Nice wood stain and everybody happy.
Wow! Lucky children to have such an amazing garden to enjoy, touche!

Mines a little more modest... hehe



There's a sunny corner out of shot to the right that I think would be ideal. Reckon I'll also be hand sawing as it'll only require 3 or 4 sleepers, much as I'd love an excuse to acquire a chainsaw!

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

169 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
quotequote all
Easiest/cheapest way to make a semi-temporary sandpit is to lay a bed of cheap paving stones, then surround with planks screwed to a few hefty stakes, a few decking boards would be ideal.