gaz_moose Posted March 22 Posted March 22 I currently have a sloping lawn and want to build a retaining wall that is an 'L' shape roughly 3m x 9m to level it out and then put a gravel patio in its place.. I was thinking of using new railway sleepers, Oak ones seem to be the better choice, looking around and i can get them in 1.2m or 2.4m lengths, 100mm x 200mm. how much do these things weigh? as access is a bit limited so they will have to be man handled into place. I was thinking of laying them on a type 1 base and back filling behind them with round gravel to help drainage so they don't rot out. The ground also slopes the other way so i will need the wall to be 600mm high on one side and 400mm on the other so was planning to lay the sleepers on their side? is that a done thing? What is my best way to join them together? So far ive seen stakes that hammer in the ground behind them and then screw to the back. spreader plates along the back, steel channel posts, rebar and drilling holes in the sleepers. The rebar out the ground sounds the better option, as it will still hold when everything gets a bit rotted. the whole garden is getting landscaped, so im open to any other suggestions, the plan is grey porcelain patio, white gravel where the lawn was, sleeper step up to more gravel that will be a darker colour, probably slate chippings or whatever works out cheap. sorry for my rambling, has anyone got some good insight into what's best, cost effective, less labour intensive to build a small retainer wall.
nod Posted March 22 Posted March 22 I’ve just bought some new oak sleeper s 2.4 long While they are heavy I was able to get them on my shoulder and carry them round the back of the house So easily Maneuvered into place by two
gaz_moose Posted March 22 Author Posted March 22 google says they are about 50kg, does that sound about right? I just seem to be premier league at buying stuff that weighs a friggin tonne then having to eat 3 shredded wheat for breakfast 😁
nod Posted March 22 Posted March 22 2 hours ago, gaz_moose said: google says they are about 50kg, does that sound about right? I just seem to be premier league at buying stuff that weighs a friggin tonne then having to eat 3 shredded wheat for breakfast 😁 50 kg Felt like more Though I am 63 now
Roger440 Posted March 22 Posted March 22 9 hours ago, gaz_moose said: I currently have a sloping lawn and want to build a retaining wall that is an 'L' shape roughly 3m x 9m to level it out and then put a gravel patio in its place.. I was thinking of using new railway sleepers, Oak ones seem to be the better choice, looking around and i can get them in 1.2m or 2.4m lengths, 100mm x 200mm. how much do these things weigh? as access is a bit limited so they will have to be man handled into place. I was thinking of laying them on a type 1 base and back filling behind them with round gravel to help drainage so they don't rot out. The ground also slopes the other way so i will need the wall to be 600mm high on one side and 400mm on the other so was planning to lay the sleepers on their side? is that a done thing? What is my best way to join them together? So far ive seen stakes that hammer in the ground behind them and then screw to the back. spreader plates along the back, steel channel posts, rebar and drilling holes in the sleepers. The rebar out the ground sounds the better option, as it will still hold when everything gets a bit rotted. the whole garden is getting landscaped, so im open to any other suggestions, the plan is grey porcelain patio, white gravel where the lawn was, sleeper step up to more gravel that will be a darker colour, probably slate chippings or whatever works out cheap. sorry for my rambling, has anyone got some good insight into what's best, cost effective, less labour intensive to build a small retainer wall. 100x200 aint no railway sleeper. Sadly its all just marketing guff for a large bit of crap wood, that will be rotted out in 5-10 years. If you must use wood, by real, used, railway sleepers. Full of lots of lovely chemicals, and proper hardwood like jarrah. Better stil, just use these, https://ag.uk.com/outside-rooms/products/garden-walling/bayfield/ Other variants available. Small trench, bit of type 1 and lay them. No mortar. Easy as can be. Ive used these twice, and just about to do another. If i can do it, anyone can. Will last a lifetime. 1
gaz_moose Posted March 23 Author Posted March 23 fair comment 😆 what kind of money do they want for that dry system? im just a mere mortal with regular amounts of wages to spend.
Roger440 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 44 minutes ago, gaz_moose said: fair comment 😆 what kind of money do they want for that dry system? im just a mere mortal with regular amounts of wages to spend. Its not cheap, but nor is good timber. And what you suggested isnt good in any way. It probably works out more expensive, but will last multiple times as long. I guess if you will sell within 5 years, then, like most developers, take the cheap option, failure wont be your problem. Personally, i wouldnt ever entertain a timber retaining wall.
Onoff Posted March 23 Posted March 23 An L shaped sleeper wall facing the sun forms a lovely heat store. Keeps giving into the evening along with a lovely whiff of creosote. I got this lot free. A mix of new and old sleepers. Used some for my raised veg patch. Thinking to do the same for this area: https://flic.kr/p/2oBUSzU
gaz_moose Posted March 23 Author Posted March 23 (edited) i didn't really want the added charms of the creosote version. 30 pretend oak sleepers on a pallet is a grand. i will take a better look at interlocking wall blocks as its not something ive seen before. thanks for the heads up. i found some that are £14 each. wickes do them Marshalls Croft Weathered Textured Walling Stone - 300 x 170 x 100mm - Pack of 90 | Wickes.co.uk although they remind me of the aztec zone on the crystal maze. shame they only do buff colour. Edited March 23 by gaz_moose
Roger440 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 1 hour ago, gaz_moose said: i didn't really want the added charms of the creosote version. 30 pretend oak sleepers on a pallet is a grand. i will take a better look at interlocking wall blocks as its not something ive seen before. thanks for the heads up. i found some that are £14 each. wickes do them Marshalls Croft Weathered Textured Walling Stone - 300 x 170 x 100mm - Pack of 90 | Wickes.co.uk although they remind me of the aztec zone on the crystal maze. shame they only do buff colour. Word of caution. The Marshalls ones do NOT have a locking system. No use for real retaining walls. The blurb says 6 blocks high max for this reason Your only options are the A&G stuff i linked to and Tobermore as far as i know. Tobermore currently seems much more expensive for no apparant reason.
Roger440 Posted March 26 Posted March 26 On 23/03/2025 at 09:10, gaz_moose said: fair comment 😆 what kind of money do they want for that dry system? im just a mere mortal with regular amounts of wages to spend. Just been getting quotes for my wall. Its really gone up since last time i bought. And all the suppliers are sticking ridgidly to full retail price. No negotiation Not really got much choice unless i resort to concrete block and then face them with something. But i cant do that so labour will exceed my quotes any way!
vfrdave Posted March 27 Posted March 27 Colinwell is another option for interlocking blocks.......easy DIY
Roger440 Posted March 27 Posted March 27 2 hours ago, vfrdave said: Colinwell is another option for interlocking blocks.......easy DIY Thanks. Another option to consider. Seems odd that all the suppliers are in ireland?
gaz_moose Posted March 27 Author Posted March 27 the allan blocks were the first ones i came across, ive just been stacked out with work and had no time to put into researching this. i do appreciate you guys filling me in on block systems as its something ive never seen before.
vfrdave Posted March 27 Posted March 27 Still not finished but this what I have done with Allan block/colinwell 2
vfrdave Posted March 28 Posted March 28 17 hours ago, Roger440 said: Looks good. Are they different colours? All the same block, there is a variance in the colour....hence they recommend selecting from multiple packs at a time to ensure it is randomised. 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now