Railway-style sleepers give a garden bar a solid, rustic look and a counter that feels like it could stop a car. They are also heavy, awkward and unforgiving of a poor base, so plan the build around their weight.
Choose the right sleepers
- New softwood sleepers: pressure-treated, consistent in size and usually the easiest choice. Check they are treated for ground contact if they touch soil.
- New hardwood sleepers, such as oak: very durable and heavy, with a premium look. Expect movement and splits as they season.
- Reclaimed railway sleepers: some have been treated with creosote or other preservatives that are no longer suitable for places where people regularly touch them. Avoid them for bar counters and seating, where skin and food contact is constant.
Ask the supplier what treatment new sleepers have had and whether they suit your use.
Design options
- Stacked sleepers laid horizontally, with each layer fixed to the next.
- Upright sleepers set side by side as the front of the bar, with a top fixed over them.
- Sleeper front with a timber frame behind, giving shelves and storage inside.
A solid stack is very strong but leaves no storage. Most people end up preferring a sleeper face with a frame behind.
Foundations
A sleeper counter is heavy. It needs a firm, level base that will not settle unevenly, such as a concrete footing or a well-compacted slab base. See base options. Lay a damp-proof barrier or keep the bottom layer off wet ground to reduce rot.
Fixings
Use long timber screws or coach screws designed for sleepers, pre-drilling where needed. Stainless or coated fixings avoid rust stains, particularly in oak. Stagger joints between layers like brickwork for strength.
Lifting safely
Sleepers are heavy enough to injure backs and crush fingers. Lift with a partner, use proper lifting technique and wear gloves and safety boots. A sack truck or sleeper trolley helps.
The bar top
Sleepers make a rough top. Fix a planed hardwood or sealed board on top for a smooth, cleanable surface. See bar top materials.
Counter height
Plan the number of layers around the counter height you want. See counter height and size the top overhang for the stools.
Lay out one row of sleepers dry and stand behind it with a glass in hand before fixing anything. Adjusting a dry stack is much easier than unscrewing a finished one.