Composite sleepers give you the same post and panel wall as concrete, at a weight one person can actually handle. They resist warping, rotting and termites with minimal upkeep, which makes them a strong...
Read the full buying guide
About Composite Sleepers
Composite sleepers give you the same post and panel wall as concrete, at a weight one person can actually handle. They resist warping, rotting and termites with minimal upkeep, which makes them a strong pick for backyard and boundary walls on tight blocks where a crane truck cannot get close.
The range
| Product | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Composite sleeper | 1980 x 200 x 60mm | about 4.4kg |
| Composite sleeper | 2380 x 200 x 60mm | about 5.3kg |
| Composite plinth | 2400 x 200 x 50mm | about 4.4kg |
For comparison, a 2380mm concrete sleeper is about 87kg. That difference is the whole argument for composite: no crane truck to the back fence, no sleeper grab, no second person on every lift.
Where composite is the right call
- No machine access. Side passages, courtyards, terraced blocks, anywhere the material has to be carried in by hand.
- Walls up to 1m. That is the rating. Above it you are generally into engineered territory and galvanised steel posts.
- Under a Colorbond fence. The composite plinth fills the gap between the bottom of the fence and sloping ground, so soil and mulch stop washing through. It is one of the most common things we sell.
- Cutting on site. Composite cuts with a standard wood blade, no wet saw and no silica dust.
What goes with them
Pair them with composite posts for walls up to 1m, or galvanised steel posts where the design calls for it. Finish the top with composite capping, which suits 100mm wide posts, and use the composite support as a footing under the bottom sleeper for stability while you build. Pack each course out with the composite sleeper wedges, which are sized for the 60mm thickness and are not interchangeable with the concrete ones.
Post centres follow the sleeper: 2000mm for the 1980, 2400mm for the 2380, plus 10mm each if a fence is going on top.
Composite or concrete
Concrete is stronger, cheaper per metre on long runs, and the right answer for anything structural or tall. Composite wins on handling, access and maintenance. The full comparison works through it honestly, and the FAQ covers the trade-offs. We supply both, so we have no reason to steer you either way. Ring us and we will tell you which suits your site.