This heavy-duty timber sleeper is designed for structural garden and outdoor landscaping projects. The "incised" process creates small slits in the wood, allowing preservatives to penetrate deeper into the core for superior protection against rot, insect attack, and fungal decay in direct ground-contact applications.

Common uses include:

• Raised Garden Beds & Planters: Stack and secure them to create durable, long-lasting borders for vegetable patches and flower beds.

• Retaining Walls: Ideal for terracing sloped gardens or edging elevated lawn areas.

• Garden Steps & Paths: Layout flat to form sturdy outdoor staircases or framed gravel pathways.

• Lawn & Driveway Edging: Defines boundaries cleanly with high resistance to weather and soil moisture.

Available for collection from our Rugby branch or local delivery using our own fleet.

Timber products will typically be delivered in one of our vans or pick-up trucks, unless ordered alongside larger goods. Delivery is kerbside and the final offloading position is always subject to safe access and the driver’s discretion.

Please tell us before delivery about:

• Narrow roads or restricted entrances
• Parked vehicles or limited turning space
• Overhead cables, trees or other obstructions
• Soft, sloping or unsuitable ground
• Any other access concerns

Enter your postcode on the product page to check your delivery area. We’ll confirm the delivery date after your order is placed.

What does "incised" mean and why is it important?

Incising is a process where fine, clean slits are pressed into all four sides of the timber before pressure treatment. This allows the preservative chemical to penetrate deeper into the core of the wood rather than just sitting on the surface, ensuring superior protection against rot and fungal decay in ground-contact environments.

Is this sleeper suitable for direct ground contact?

Yes. Incised timber sleepers are specifically treated to UC4 (Use Class 4) standards, which qualifies them for structural, outdoor ground-contact applications like soil retaining walls, garden borders, and sunken steps.

Is the wood preservative safe for plants and vegetable patches?

Modern pressure treatments use copper-based preservatives (such as Tanalith E) that are creosote-free and generally considered safe for ornamental gardens and raised vegetable beds once dry. For extra peace of mind when growing edible crops, lining the inside face of the sleeper with a permeable membrane prevents direct soil contact.

Do I need to treat the timber if I cut it to size?

Yes. Cutting or drilling through the sleeper exposes untreated wood in the core. Any cut ends or holes must be coated liberally with an end-grain preservative sealant to maintain resistance against moisture and rot.

How do I fix these sleepers together?

Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated timber screws (often called landscape or wafer-head structural screws) measuring at least 150mm–200mm in length. Pre-drilling pilot holes helps prevent timber splitting near the edges. Customers often go for our TIMCO 175mm Index Decking/ Sleeper Screws.