Did you know old railroad ties are an ideal material for a variety of garden projects? And, who says old railroad ties have to be old at all! They can be old in spirit or new in substance. So, what to do with old railroad ties may depend on the type of project being undertaken. The good news is that there is no shortage of ideas both old and new when it comes to repurposing old wooden railroad ties. Here are five ways to use old railroad ties around the house.
1) Artistic Expression
Old wooden rails make wonderful items for artistic expression; they can be used as planters, stepping stones or anything else one might imagine. Many people decorate their old rail planter boxes with interesting images, designs or lettering.
2) Flower Boxes
If old railroad ties are not for artistic expression but would make great flower boxes. These can be designed in a variety of ways to suit any home décor style. Old rail flower boxes can be painted in bright colors with pictures and designs adorning them. Old railway ties may have small compartments which lend themselves to planting flowers in the compartments. Old wooden railroad ties planters are perfect for lining driveways or walkways since they will not rot when exposed to rain or snowmelt. Then there are old wooden flatbed railroad tie planters that could hold large plants like trees and coffee bushes used as focal points around one’s garden.
3) Outdoor Fireplace
Who doesn’t love a summer evening spent outdoors with family and friends? What old railroad ties can do is construct an old rail tie fire pit where one can roast marshmallows, make smores, and enjoy a nice outdoor cooking fire with old wooden railroad ties. It would be a good idea to surround the old rail tie pit with old rail tie chairs or benches for seating.
4) Decking
A great way to use old wooden railroad ties would be as decking in the garden. This way one can sit on old rails while enjoying their coffee in the morning, eat outside in the evening after barbequing steaks on old rail barbecue grills or host an outdoor party. Simply attach several wooden railway planks side by side, drill holes for screws, and then use galvanized screws to attach the old rails to the joists.
5) Pathway Materials
Building a pathway with old railroad ties is another great way to put them to use. Not only do old railway ties make for an interesting walkway but they are also very durable and will last for many years with proper maintenance. One can either create a pathway by hammering old railroad spikes into the ground at equal distances apart and laying old wooden rails on top of them or one could pour concrete into old tie slots, let it harden and have a solid pathway that would be resistant to weathering.
One other option for what to do with old railroad ties is mobile grinding services which will recycle the old ties into mulch, railroad tie chips or even dust. This is a great option for those who do not have the time or resources to take care of old wooden rails in another way. Whatever old railroad tie project one decides to undertake, it is sure to add character and individuality to their home. So get creative and have fun with it!