I was watching a self-build video the other day by a guy from Australia. He said he bought wooden packing strips that are used to protect shipping containers and used them for his decking and driveway. He says he paid AUD$2 for a 6m length, which is £1. They've clearly got fixing holes in them, but I do quite like that.

Has anyone come across anything like that in the UK? I've had a Google and I can't find reference to them anywhere.

I liked what he did with them on his driveway. It looks to be a clever way to stop gravel migrating around all over the shop.

Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by Square Feet

i've never seen wood used on containers like that. I wasn't aware anyone bothered to protect shipping containers tbh.

I suspect it is some niche use that is not universally replicated.

No, I hadn't either. Maybe it's just an Aussie thing then.

Those look like the timber dunnage or bearers used to support and separate a load, rather than a standard UK decking product. You may find similar pieces sold as packing timber, but the dimensions and condition can vary.

For keeping gravel in place, the important part is a continuous edge restraint that is firmly pegged and set slightly below the finished surface, with the gravel compacted in layers. A narrow timber strip can work for a path or lightly used area, but vehicle wheels will push it over unless the edge is substantial and well supported.

I would be cautious about unknown container timber for decking or anything in regular contact with soil. It may be untreated, damaged or treated for a use you cannot verify. For a permanent outside edge, use timber specified for ground contact and fix it to durable stakes; for decking, keep the support structure ventilated and use timber rated for that exposure. Remove any nails and reject oily or stained pieces.

59 minutes ago, JpManning said:

Those look like the timber dunnage or bearers used to support and separate a load, rather than a standard UK decking product. You may find similar pieces sold as packing timber, but the dimensions and condition can vary.

For keeping gravel in place, the important part is a continuous edge restraint that is firmly pegged and set slightly below the finished surface, with the gravel compacted in layers. A narrow timber strip can work for a path or lightly used area, but vehicle wheels will push it over unless the edge is substantial and well supported.

I would be cautious about unknown container timber for decking or anything in regular contact with soil. It may be untreated, damaged or treated for a use you cannot verify. For a permanent outside edge, use timber specified for ground contact and fix it to durable stakes; for decking, keep the support structure ventilated and use timber rated for that exposure. Remove any nails and reject oily or stained pieces.

~Thanks for taking the time to reply. At the risk of sounding rude - did AI write this for you? Obviously they aren't a standard UK decking product. That just sounds like the sort of thing AI would say.

3 hours ago, Square Feet said:

~Thanks for taking the time to reply. At the risk of sounding rude - did AI write this for you? Obviously they aren't a standard UK decking product. That just sounds like the sort of thing AI would say.

No ai did not write this. I was making the point that, that type of timber is hard to comeby and not standard in the UK. It can be got but not off the shelf.

I get it came from a container that originated elsewhere but that doesn't mean you point blank can't get it in the UK.