Sleepers - Spruce or Douglas fir?

[Hightowermark]

Going to use sleepers in my garden and found a local place that sells softwood sleepers. They come in spruce or douglas fir (the douglas fir is 20% more).

So would laying them on gravel be the best and then using rebar to secure them in the ground?

As these are softwood and not treated what would be the best to treat them with? Have a few tins of clear decking oil here would that be ok?

And which is better Spruce or Douglas fir?

thanks

 

[Hightowermark]

anyone?

 

[wrathkeg]

there is advice about building with sleepers on pavingexpert.com by memory, it suggests laying on concrete and using rebar through them, or metal strapping.

don't know about different types of sleepers, or treatments I'm afraid.

 

[jay679]

If you hunt around, oak can be found for not much more than the cost of softwood.

 

[fencer35]

Doug fir is alot more durable than spruce.
If pressure treated then you wil get more than 20% more life expectancy with the Douglas.


Spruce shouldnt be used in ground contact

good luck