A Buyer’s Guide for Ropes and Twines
When it comes to buying ropes and twines, it’s important to fully understand the difference in materials and uses to ensure you pick just the right fastening product for the job. Here at No1 Packaging, we offer an extensive choice of rope and twine that can be used in commercial, industrial, agricultural, construction and domestic environments, so to help you grasp the different properties and applications of our products, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide - telling you all you need to know before purchasing.
Rope and twine - what’s the difference?
Before we begin looking at the different types of ropes and twines, we thought it best to give you the lowdown on the differences between our ropes, twines and cords.
Rope is a general term that refers to natural and synthetic fibres that have been braided together to deliver a strong cord. The strength and use of each rope depends on the materials and type of braid. Ropes, or cords, tend to be thicker in diameter than twine and have more intricate braiding to deliver increased tensile strength for heavy duty use, whereas twines are ideal for light-to-medium duty applications.
Polypropylene blue rope
For a reliable, durable and secure fastening that’s exceptionally versatile, you can’t go wrong with our Blue Split Form Polypropylene Rope. With thicknesses ranging from 6mm up to 12mm, this 3-strand polypropylene rope can be used for a wide range of applications commonly used in marine, farming, construction and logistics as a strong fastening cord.
Water and rot resistant, this synthetic cord can easily withstand extreme temperatures and is ideal for heavy duty use, whether it’s support strapping for pallets or securely batoning down side flaps on a lorry.
Sash cord
Traditional sash windows are a beautiful addition to period properties and work by using a pulley mechanism on each side to raise and lower the windows. However, over time the internal cord, known as a sash cord, will inevitably become worn and frayed - meaning these beautiful windows will no longer function properly.
This is where sash cord comes in. While sash cord has quite a niche use, it’s an essential piece of equipment for traditional window installation. Braided together using strands of jute, this natural cord delivers a strong pulley rope for raising and lowering sash windows. However, its uses don’t end there. It also works brilliantly as a general tying cord around the home and garden - from tying back plants to rustic style touches for craft projects.
Nylon cord
If you’re in search of a multi-purpose tying twine for light-to-medium use, then you can’t go wrong with nylon cord. With good resistance to shock and abrasion, this rot and mildew-proof twine delivers a strong and durable fastening solution that can be set to the task in all kinds of ways.
Suitable for use both inside and outside, this versatile cord can be used for hanging pictures, pull cords for light fixtures, blind pulleys, crafts and even woven together for netting. It’s the ideal twine to have in your toolbox or craft drawer, whether you’re working on a building site or simply tackling a home DIY project.
Clothes lines
As the name suggests, these twines are specifically designed with strength and durability in mind for hanging up wet clothes to dry. However, you may be surprised to learn that not every clothesline is the same!
Our standard polypropylene lines are ideal for domestic use with light loads, while our heavy duty clothes lines and steel core options provide a more robust option for heavier loads within hospitality and catering environments. These lines can also be put to use for general tying and lashing applications in domestic and commercial uses such as securing tarpaulins.
Cotton, sisal, rayon, polypropylene and jute twines
Twines are best suited for light to medium use as their braiding tends to be thinner than rope or cord and there are a host of different twines you can choose from, including sisal, jute, cotton, rayon and polypropylene.
For the most part, each twine delivers a good level of tensile strength and makes the perfect partner for strapping small items together, securing small parcels or general use in offices and domestic uses. However, if you want a more eco-friendly choice, opting for cotton, jute or sisal twine that’s biodegradable could be your best option.
If you’re using twine in catering scenarios, opting for a standard cotton twine is one option or you could use rayon twine like our Red and White Rayon Butcher’s twine - which is food safe and ideal for baking and cooking applications.
Builders lines
Finally, we have builders lines which are a must-have twine for construction, groundwork or landscape gardening, where straight lines and level ground is essential. Most commonly made from white nylon or polypropylene, these synthetic twines are lightweight yet durable, as well as water proof, which makes them perfect for use outside.
Typically tied around upright markers that are placed into the ground, these twines are ideal for mapping out building foundations or assessing the gradient of a surface to prepare it for levelling.
Whether you’re looking for heavy duty rope for securing pallets or just a general purpose twine for everyday use, when it comes to where to buy rope, No1 Packaging has you covered and with our guide above, you should have all the information you need to select the right rope or twine for the job at hand.
Take a look at our full range of rope and twine online now or get in touch with us today if you need any further information.
