Where Can I Buy Railroad Ties For Landscaping

In recent years, wooden railroad ties have become popular for use in gardening and landscaping. For example, people use them to create retaining walls and raised-bed gardens, and others use them for building steps.

where can i buy railroad ties for landscaping

Wooden railroad ties are soaked in creosote. Now, creosote is good for preserving the wood. In fact, chemically pressure-treated wood can last up to 40 years. So, many people think of railroad ties as a durable material to use in their outdoor areas.

The EPA is currently reviewing its use as a pesticide. Depending on what you read, some people say to avoid using railroad ties at all costs because of this chemical issue and others say they are okay to use.

BHG recommends not using ties if the wood is oozing black creosote or has an odor. And, you should never use railroad ties in an enclosed space like a greenhouse, because the gasses from creosote are harmful.

You can get free railroad ties on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp, by asking local railway companies, and by posting an ad online or in your local paper. However, railroad ties are treated with chemicals like creosote, which can be harmful to you, your pets, your plants, and the soil in your garden. So, you may want to try rocks or woods that are naturally rot-resistant instead.

• Railroad ties are the support for railroad tracks. They're laid perpendicular to the rails and hold the rails upright. Usually, they are made of wood that's been treated with creosote. When railroad tracks are removed, the railroad ties may be repurposed for gardens, landscapes and other uses.Gardeners and homeowners who want to avoid using creosote-treated railroad ties have several look-alike options, including:Railroad ties made from wood that's naturally resistant to pests. These include cedar, redwood, Cyprus and black locust.

• Timber treated with other preservatives approved by the EPA.

• Railroad ties made out of wood-alternatives or composite materials.

While railroad ties can legally be used in some areas (check with your state and municipality), creosote is a probable human carcinogen.According to the EPA, while creosote pesticide products are not available to homeowners, "reuse of creosote-treated wood is not subject to regulation by EPA under pesticide laws." For more information on creosote, visit the EPA site here.There are some uses where creosote railroad ties are not recommended because it could be dangerous. For instance, because creosote may leach into the soil, creosote railroad ties are not recommended for raised vegetable garden beds or near children's play areas.To avoid the possibility of inhaling toxic chemicals, do not use creosote railroad ties indoors or in greenhouses. Also, do not burn creosote-treated or other treated wood.

• Railroad ties can be re-purposed for a variety of landscaping projects, including use as fence posts, steps and retaining walls. Some recommendations include:Avoid using them near water supplies and avoid using them where humans and animals will be touching them with their bare skin.

• When working around creosote railroad ties or removing creosote ties, wear long sleeves, protective gloves, and a heavy-duty dust mask. Avoid inhaling dust from the ties and don't burn them.

• While railroad ties have a rustic look, you may also want to consider alternatives to creosote treated railroad ties such as using naturally pest-resistant wood, wood alternatives, composites or timber treated with other preservatives.

• If using treated wood for raised garden beds, many gardeners line the beds with plastic so there is no contact between the wood and the soil.

• If removing railroad ties from your property, check your local ordinances about how to dispose of creosote railroad ties. Because of their bulk and the need for protective clothing, you may want to consider hiring professionals to remove them.

Every EPA site said the same thing about the main preservative in old railroad ties: "Creosote is a possible human carcinogen and has no registered residential use." So it's actually illegal to use old railroad ties in a home landscape.

Again, I quote the EPA: "Creosote is not approved to treat wood for residential use, including landscaping timbers and garden borders. There are no approved residential uses of creosote treated wood. The Agency is aware that creosote-treated railroad ties are being used in the residential setting for landscape purposes and as a border around gardens. Such uses in residential settings are not intended uses of creosote. If you have creosote-treated wood in your yard, consult the handling precautions outlined in EPA informational document."

Landscaping with railroad ties is a popular choice for many backyard projects thanks to their naturally attractive worn appearance. They're a thick, rugged and affordable type of wood that can be used to form long-lasting barriers for edging beds, and making planters, paths and walls, as well as being good for more ambitious landscaping and decking projects.

Railroad ties come in various sizes in both reclaimed and new softwood and hardwood. Reclaimed railroad ties have generally been used to support railroad lines and have a worn appearance which makes them ideal for bringing a traditional rustic and weathered look to your yard. New, square-edged ties in either softwood or hardwood are much smoother and generally suited to more contemporary garden designs.

Railroad ties will easily slot into your landscaping ideas and look like they've been there for ever. They look particularly fine combined with gravel, rocks and boulders, as well as mixed in with shrubs and trees.

One of the most popular options for landscaping with railroad ties is to use them for building simple raised garden beds. The solid wood keeps soil contained and acts as a barrier to keep pests such as slugs out. Perfect for drainage, they also protect against encroaching weeds.

There are concerns about the safety of using creosoted railroad ties for kitchen gardens. Since creosote can leach out into the soil, many people say that you should never use railroad ties for surrounding a vegetable garden. So be careful what you pick up from salvage yards.

If you're handy with a drill and love DIY outdoor furniture ideas, why not try building your own customized garden furniture with railroad ties? Adding a rustic garden bench and low table using reclaimed railroad ties is an easy build that you can complete in a couple of hours. It will look great without needing a big outlay.

Using these timbers to build a retaining wall is one of the most popular projects when landscaping with railroad ties. They are a good alternative to bricks or concrete as not only do they look good but they're often a more affordable option too.

If you fancy a big garden makeover to switch up the look of your outdoor space, think about upgrading your decking ideas. Landscaping with railroad ties offers a natural-looking addition to your yard and is a great alternative to decking boards.

Learning how to build a raised garden bed from railroad ties is a relatively easy DIY project, especially if the pieces of timber are pre-cut to length. Buy pressure-treated wood as it will last for many years and treat it with wood preservative before you start.

If you're looking for stylish garden edging ideas, railroad ties are a smart choice. As well as looking good, using them for edging is practical, too. It helps to define different zones in your garden while keeping soil, gravel, wood chips, plants and lawn all firmly in their place.

If you love woodland plants for gardens you're in the right place as weathered looking railroad ties will add the perfect finishing touch to your planting scheme. Use them to define the outline of the bed or purely for ornamental purposes as they fit right in with their timeworn good looks.

Sometimes it pays to think outside the box and come up with something unique. Landscaping with railroad ties is an option for more ambitious projects too, like this sleek urban courtyard design that features a pergola, seating and shelving made with railroad ties that have been given a cool modern makeover.

There is a range of varieties of railway ties available to buy from specialist suppliers and online. Depending on where you live, original reclaimed railway sleepers that are treated with creosote tend to be no longer available as creosote is packed with chemicals so best avoided for home DIY projects especially things like vegetable garden beds and other projects featuring edibles such as herb gardens.

New untreated railroad tie lookalikes in durable hardwood and softwood are widely available. The wood appears more natural and can vary in color from light brown to grey. As well as being in better condition than reclaimed railroad ties, new ones are available in a much larger choice of sizes and can be cut to fit before you buy.

The expansion of railroads across our country for the last 100 years, and the need to replace worn tieswith new ones, has created an abundance of used railroad ties, which have in turn fed the imaginations oflandscapers everywhere. Cardinal Tie sells wooden railroad ties that are perfect for the most creative oflandscaping designs, from a set of natural stairs to a retaining wall. Railroad ties make beautiful,natural borders around gardens, trees or a driveway. They are perfect for terracing a steep hillside onyour property.

Our experts can help you determine the type and quantity of all supplies you might need to tackle thatterracing project or to simply raise a garden bed. Our wooden railroad ties are available in multiplegrades, providing a low cost, simple solution for any commercial or residential project.

They have 2,300 stores across North America.Entering in your postcode on their website will show the closest store that has railroad ties in stock and also the amount.Railroad Tie Specifications & DetailsSize7 in x 9 in x 8ft (96 in) 041b061a72