The 4 Reasons Why Wooden Sleeper Are a Designer’s Favorite

Have you ever passed by a fence or a garden and had your eyes drawn to a row of wooden beams full of character? These are wooden sleeper, the very pieces of wood that once supported the weight of trains. You might not know it, but they're a beloved material for many designers, gardeners, and artists!

Contents :
1.What Exactly Are Wooden Sleeper?
2.Why Do Designers Love Using Wooden Sleeper?
3.The Benefits of Using Wooden Sleeper
3-1 A Rugged, Natural Aesthetic
3-2 High Degree of Design Freedom
3-3 A Sustainable Design Material
4.Important Things to Consider When Choosing Wooden Sleeper
4-1 Appearance and Quality
4-2 Safety Treatment
4-3 Select Based on Your Needs
5.Where Can You Find Wooden Sleepers?

What Exactly Are Sleeper?
Wooden sleeper, also known as wooden tie, is a general term for the rectangular supports used in railroad tracks. They can be made from either hardwoods or softwoods; common species include oak and Douglas fir. Their traditional purpose is to secure the position of the steel rails, preventing them from shifting during a train's journey. By distributing the immense pressure and weight of a passing train, they ensure a more stable ride.

You’ve probably noticed that many wooden sleepers on older tracks are black. This is mainly because they have been treated with preservatives to extend their life. While other materials like concrete and steel are also used, wood remains a popular choice due to its excellent elasticity, which helps absorb the impact of trains. It's also easy to install and maintain, simple to transport, and has good insulation properties.



Why Do Designers Love Using Wooden Sleeper?
Every single wooden sleeper is one-of-a-kind. They not only have the natural grain of wood but also carry a unique beauty and story from their years of service. This individuality appeals to many designers who want to integrate these pieces into their work. In modern interior design, whether you're creating a rugged industrial look, a quiet wabi-sabi style, or the clean lines of a Scandinavian space, railroad ties can add a layer of texture and depth.



The Benefits of Using Wooden Sleeper

• A Rugged, Natural Aesthetic: As retired railway materials, these sleepers feature not just the original wood grain but also deep marks left by time. This unique combination of ruggedness and warmth is impossible to replicate.

• High Degree of Design Freedom: Wooden sleeper can be used both indoors and outdoors. They are perfect for walls, benches, display shelves, garden paths, and fences, and are incredibly versatile. Designers can cut, join, and sand them to fit any spatial need, creating both form and structure.

• A Sustainable Design Material: Using retired wooden sleeper is a practice of resource reuse. It's not only about respecting the planet's resources but also about using design to convey the importance of circular design and environmental awareness.

​Important Things to Consider When Choosing Wooden Sleeper

• Appearance and Quality: Check the wood's surface for any obvious cracks, damage, or signs of insect damage. Make sure the wood density isn't loose to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the sleeper.

• Safety Treatment: Retired wooden sleepers are often rough and may have cracks or nail holes. If you plan to use them indoors or in areas that will be touched (like benches), they may need to be sanded and cleaned to prevent splinters or dirt buildup.

• Select Based on Your Needs: If you need the sleepers for long-term load-bearing applications, choose ones that are more intact and have less damage to ensure higher strength and durability.

Where Can You Find Wooden Sleepers?
Are you looking for wooden sleepers but feeling overwhelmed by all the things to consider? bestwood can help! Our railroad ties undergo professional and thorough treatment, with a focus on quality control. We offer a one-stop solution and can provide a perfect match in terms of size, wood species, and quality to meet your specific needs.

        Railroad Sleeper

        Yakisugi

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