Netting Selection Guide
Selecting the proper net for your application can sometimes be a confusing processbecause ofthe many different options available. Understanding those options will help youdecide whichnetting product is right for you.
Netting is a versatile product that has many benefits. It can be used for a varietyofpurposes, from sports safety, facility safety, barrier systems, to constructionsafety.There are different types of netting made from various materials. The mesh size andtype canalso vary depending on the application. Netting is often finished with an edge orborder,and it is fastened in place with hardware.
Topics in this netting guide:
An Overview of Different Types of Netting
- Cord/Twine Netting
- Web Netting
- Rope Netting
- Metal Netting
- Plastic Netting
Different Types of Netting Materials
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Polypropylene
- Kevlar™
- Steel
- Plastic
All About Mesh Sizes
- Netting Types with Limited MeshSizes
- Netting Types withHighly Customizable Mesh Sizes
Understanding Different Types of Borders
- Rope Borders
- Webbing Borders
- Finished Edge
Hardware Netting Attachment Options
- Snap Hooks
- Rings
- Cam Buckles
- Loops
An Overview of Netting Applications
- Fall Safety
- Construction
- Cargo Containment
- Marine
- Hatches
- Lifting
An Overview of Netting Applications
- Conveyor Systems
- Safety Barrier, All Purpose Barrier
- Military
- Sports
- Animal Containment
- Climbing
- Decorative
An Overview of Different Types of Netting
Netting comes in a variety of forms and is used for a wide range of purposes. Whether you’relooking to keep your cargo safe during transport, keep your employees safe from dangerousfalls,protect equipment and personnel from falling debris, or if you need to create a barrier,there’sa type of netting that’s perfect for the job. In this guide, we’ll give a brief overview ofsomeof the most popular types of netting so that you can make an informed purchasing decision.
Cord/Twine Netting
Cord netting, often referred to as twine netting, is cylindrical in shape and is made from afewtypical materials such as polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. Cord thickness and mesh sizecanbe configured in many different ways to meet the needs of your application. Cord netting isconfigured in two main types: Knotted and Knotless.
Knotted Netting
Knotted Netting Knotted netting is just what it soundslike—netting that is held together by knots. This type of netting is stronger thancord/twine netting and is often used for industrial and spectator safety.
Knotless Netting
Knotless netting is similar to knotted netting, butinstead ofbeing held together by knots, it’s held together by a weave. This type of netting istypically made from nylon or polyethylene and is used in applications where strengthanddurability are important, such as fall safety netting.
Cord netting is commonly used in the following applications:
- Fall Safety
- Sports Barrier Systems
- All Purpose Barriers
Web Netting
Web netting is made from interlocking strands of material, similar to cord/twine netting.Webbingis a flat material unlike cord netting, which is cylindrical. Webbing is also muchstronger andmore durable. It’s often used for cargo control and safety barriers.
The most common uses of web netting are:
- Safety Barrier Systems (vertical or horizontal)
- Cargo Containment
- Lifting
Rope Netting
Rope netting is just what the name suggests, a net made from rope material. The most common type of rope used for making rope nets is manila rope and poly dacron rope. Rope netting is great for decorative applications such as nautical themes and is also prominent on obstacle courses for climbing.
The most common uses for rope netting are:
- Climbing
- Decorative
- Cargo Containment
Metal Netting
Metal netting is one of the most durable types of netting available. They are often usedinindustrial applications because they can withstand a lot of abuse and are very strong.Metalnets come in 3 different types:
- Steel Cable Nets
- Steel Chain Nets
- Decorative Steel Nets
Steel nets are ideal for the following applications:
- Heavy Duty Barrier Systems & Fall Protection (bridge construction and heavy dutycontainment)
- Heavy Duty Lifting
- Decorative
Steel Cable Netting
Steel cable nets are configured using galvanized or stainless steel cableswitha variety of different cable thickness to choose from. These types of netsareoften used in heavy duty applications such as bridge construction to catchfalling concrete and hold back large sections of rock to prevent collapse.
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Steel Chain Netting
Steel chain nets are the most heavy duty of the metal netting lineup. Steelchains are meshed together using heavy duty bolts and washers, which provideastrength that can hold up to the most demanding applications. Often used forlifting extremely heavy materials or when extremely heavy materials need tobeprevented from hazardous falls. Heavy duty steel chain nets are also a good option to help prevent injury or death from terroristic threats.
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Decorative Steel Netting
Decorative steel nets are made from thin diameter stainless steel cables andferrules to create an attractive steel wire mesh. Decorative steel nets areoften used to accentuate the architecture of a building in stairways, retailenvironments, and privacy areas.
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Plastic Netting
When you need to secure an area or set up boundaries for safety, few products work as wellfor aslong asplastic netting. As a substitute for metal fencing and chicken wire, you’ll never have toworryabout itrusting. Plastic mesh netting is also safer to handle than metal wire and is morecost-effective. Some ofplastic netting’s advantages include:
- Lifetime durability
- Wide selection of duty ranges from fine mesh to heavy duty
- Purpose-built for different applications
- Multiple colors and mesh patterns to choose from
The major benefit of plastic netting is its versatility and wide range of use. From lightdutyapplicationssuch as crop protection to heavy duty applications such as elk fence, plastic netting issure tohave aconfiguration available for any application.
Some of the most common applications for plastic netting include:
- Safety Barrier Fence
- Deer & Elk Fence
- Agricultural
- Containment
- Snow Fence
- Pallet Rack Safety Barrier
Different Types of Netting Materials
When it comes to netting, there are a variety of different materials that can be used in itsconstruction. The most common materials are nylon, polyester, polypropylene, Kevlar™, steel,and plastic. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages that make it better orworse suited for specific uses. The most common materials used in netting are as follows:
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Polypropylene
- Kevlar™
- Steel
- Plastic
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic polymer that was first developed in1935. It’s characterized by its high strength and elasticity, as well as itsresistance to UV light and abrasion. Nylon is often used in netting because itprovides an excellent balance of strength and weight. However, one downside of nylonis that it has a relatively high coefficient of friction, which can make itchallenging to work with.
Polyester
Polyester is another synthetic polymer that shares manyof the same properties as nylon. It, too, is strong, elastic, and resistant to UVlight and abrasion. Polyester is often used in netting because it’s less expensivethan nylon and has a lower coefficient of friction. However, one downside ofpolyester is that it’s not as strong as nylon and is more likely to stretch overtime.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that was firstdeveloped in 1954. It’s characterized by its high resistance to chemical degradationand its low density. Polypropylene is often used in netting because it’s lightweightand durable. However, one downside of polypropylene is its relatively low meltingpoint, making it challenging to work with.
Kevlar
Kevlar is a synthetic fiber that was first developed in1971. It’s characterized by its high strength-to-weight ratio and its resistance toheat and chemicals. Kevlar is often used in netting because it’s extremely strong,lightweight, and has a very high heat resistance. However, one downside of Kevlar isthat it’s expensive and challenging to work with.
Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that was firstdeveloped centuries ago. Its high strength and durability characterize it. Steel isoften used in netting because it’s extremely strong. However, one downside of steelis that it’s heavy and challenging to work with.
Plastic
Plastic is a synthetic polymer that was first developedin the early 1900s. Its low cost and versatility characterize it. Plastic is oftenused in netting because it’s inexpensive and easy to work with. However, onedownside of plastic is that it’s not as strong as other materials, such as nylon orpolyester.
As you can see, there are a variety of different materials that can be used in theconstruction of netting. Each material has its own unique set of properties that make itbetter or worse suited for specific use cases. When choosing a material for your nextproject, be sure to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of each option so you canselect the best possible option for your needs!
All about Mesh Sizes
Mesh size refers to the size of the openings that make up the net. The mesh size willdetermine the strength of the net. The smaller the mesh mesh size the stronger the net willbe because it is utilizing more material. Mesh sizes are configured based on the applicationand also by the size of the object that is being contained. If small objects need to becontained, then a smaller mesh size is required.
Netting Types with Limited Mesh Size
With certain netting types the customizations arelimited because the raw material only comes in a handful of different mesh sizes. The typesof netting that have limited mesh sizes are as follows:
- Cord/Twine Netting
- Plastic Netting
- Rope Netting
Netting Types with HighlyCustomizable Mesh Size
If your application requires customizationfor larger mesh sizes the following types of netting will accommodate custom requirements:
- Web Netting
- Steel Netting
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDGE FINISHING/BORDERS
Edge finishing/borders are common on cord netting. When cord netting is cut to size it tendsto leave loose edges on the net that are unattractive. Adding a border to the net will notonly enhance the appearance of the net but also make it stronger. Some borders are strongerthan others. Rope and webbing borders provide the most strength (Rope providing thestrongest), while finished edges provide the least strength.
There are three main types of netting borders:
- Rope Borders
- Webbing Borders
- Finished Edge (Serged Edge)
Rope Borders
Rope borders are another type of edge finishing that uses—youguessed it—a rope to create a border around the edge of the net. Ropeborders are often used for heavier duty applications because the ropeprovides more structure than a webbing border or finished edge. A ⅜” nylonrope is most commonly used as a netting border. Falls safety nets are a goodexample of a requirement for a rope border.
Webbing Borders
Webbing borders are a type of edge finishing that uses a strip of webbingthat is folded over the material and sewn to create a clean, straight borderaround the edge of the net. Webbing borders a great for creating nettingpanels that have grommets punched in for easy fastening.
Finished Edges
When an item has finished edges, it means that the raw edges of the fabrichave been sewn or serged together to create a clean finish. One advantage offinished edges is that they won’t fray over time like other types of edgefinishes can and it gives the netting a clean look.
Now that you know a little bit more about some of the different types of edge finishing, youcan make an informed decision next time you’re purchasing netting. Go with a webbing borderif you want to fasten a number of netting panels together. Are you looking for somethingsturdy and built to last? Rope border it is. Or maybe you need something that won’t frayover time? Finished edges might be the way to go. No matter your needs, there’s an edgefinish out there that’s perfect for you.
HARDWARE NETTING ATTACHMENT OPTIONS
When attaching netting to a structure, several tried-and-true methods make the job quick andeasy. Depending on the application, one method may be better suited than another. Thisoverview will touch on some of the most popular attachment options to help you make aninformed decision about the best way to secure your netting.
The most popular hardware attachments are as follows:
- Snap Hooks
- Rings
- Cam Buckles
- Loop
Snap Hooks
A snap hook is a fastener that consists of a metaleyelet with a spring-loaded gate. The gate is opened and closed by squeezing arelease latch. This type of attachment is often used in applications where thenetting needs to be removed and replaced frequently, such as in fall safety nets.Another advantage of snap hooks is the ease of fasting the net to a structure.
Rings
Rings are a versatile attachment option that can be usedin a variety of applications. They are made from metal and sometimes dipped in aplastic coating to provide longevity and protection. One advantage of rings is thatthey can be attached directly to the structure without any additional hardware.Another advantage is that rings provide a strong connection point for multiplestrands of netting, which can come in handy if you need to cover a large area. Ringsare often used for webbing nets.
Cam Buckles
Another hardware option often used with webbing nets iscam buckles. Cam buckles consist of a metal frame with an attached cam lever. Thecam lever tightens or loosens the webbing or rope fed through the frame. This typeof connection is often used in applications where tension needs to be adjustable,such as cargo nets or barrier nets. The advantage of cam buckles is that they can bequickly released under tension, making them ideal for situations where time is ofthe essence.
Loops
Loops are simply lengths of webbing or rope sewn into aloop. This type of attachment is often used in applications where a strongconnection point is needed, but an adjustment is not required, such as webbing cargocontainment nets or rope netting. The advantage of loops is that they provide astrong connection point without any additional hardware, which makes them ideal fortying down or attaching to other structures.
As you can see, there are a variety of different materials that can be used in theconstruction of netting. Each material has its own unique set of properties that make itbetter or worse suited for specific use cases. When choosing a material for your nextproject, be sure to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of each option so you canselect the best possible option for your needs!
AN OVERVIEW OF NETTING APPLICATIONS
Netting has a variety of applications, from fall safety to debris containment. It is aversatile and affordable solution for many needs. Let’s take a look at some of the mostcommon netting applications.
Fall Safety
One of the most important uses for netting is fallsafety. Construction workers or hazardous plant workers are just a few professionalswho use netting to create a safe work environment. By creating a barrier around theperimeter of the work area, netting protects workers from falling objects andprevents them from accidentally falling off the edge.
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Construction
Construction netting or debris netting is commonly usedin construction projects for a variety of purposes. It can be used to createtemporary barriers around the perimeter of the construction site (typically plasticnetting) or placed over scaffolding or openings to keep debris from entering orfalling out of the building. It is also often used during demolition projects tocatch debris as it falls.
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Cargo Containment
Netting is frequently used in the shipping andtransportation industries for cargo containment. It is an effective way to secureloose items in trucks, trailers, and containers. Netting can also be used on shipsand planes to secure cargo during transit.
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Marine
Netting is also used extensively in the marine industry.It is used for everything from cargo containment to creating safe swimming areas.Nets can be placed around the perimeter of a ship to prevent debris from fallingoverboard or placed over hatches to keep people from falling through. In coastalareas, netting is often used to create safe swimming areas protected from some types of jellyfishand other marine life.
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Hatches
Netting is often used in hatches and pits to preventdangerous or fatal falls. It is placed over hatches. In these cases, netting isusually made from a high-strength polyester or polypropylene material.
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Lifting
Netting is a great option for lifting heavy material.Many industrial plants, construction sites, and military units use lifting nets totransport heavy materials. Lifting nets are often made of webbing and ropematerials.
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Conveyor Systems
Conveyor systems are a popular application for nettingbecause it prevents objects from falling off of conveyors and injuring personnelbelow. Conveyor netting is also used to protect other conveyor systems from beingdamaged from falling objects from other conveyor systems above.
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Safety Barrier, All Purpose Barrier
Netting can also serve as a very functional safetybarrier. Vertical or horizontal safety barriers are constantly in demand to protectelevated edges such as loading docks, mezzanines, and other hazardous areas infacilities. All purpose netting barriers are great for dividing areas and preventingpeople or animals from entering certain areas.
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Military
The military also uses netting for a variety ofapplications. It is used to create temporary barriers, secure cargo duringtransport, and lift heavy materials.
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Sports
Netting is also used in sports. It is often used as asafety net around sports parks and arenas to provide spectator safety to catch ballsor pucks hit out of the park/arena. It is also used in golf to create driving rangesand to catch errant balls. Cord netting is most commonly used for sports nettingapplications.
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Animal Containment
Netting can be used to contain animals. It is often usedto keep chickens and other poultry in a small area. It can also create temporarypens or barriers for livestock. Most animal containment nets are made from plasticmaterials.
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Climbing
Climbing netting is designed for human use and is madefrom rope or webbing that has been interwoven to create a strong, durable surface.It’s often used by climbers or by military personnel during training exercises.
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Decorative
Decorative netting can be made from a variety ofmaterials, including rope or steel. It is usually placed around patios, decks,gardens, or other outdoor areas to add a touch of beauty and style. This type ofnetting is usually not as durable as other types because it is not meant to be usedfor any functional purpose.
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As you can see, there are a variety of different materials that can be used in theconstruction of netting. Each material has its own unique set of properties that make itbetter or worse suited for specific use cases. When choosing a material for your nextproject, be sure to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of each option so you canselect the best possible option for your needs!
