Are you designing a sports net project for a backyard OR commercial facility? Once you have settled on the Ply (thickness), the Mesh Size (Hole Size) and have double checked your dimensions... the final step is to decide what type of “finish” you want around the perimeter of your netting.
The precise type of netting you use “may” dictate your options, however in most situations there will be multiple available finishes.
Raw Edge Sports Netting
Most sports nets can be cut by-the-metre or purchased in bulk rolls. These nets are mainly supplied in raw form, meaning that there is no specific edge treatment applied. The HDPE material seen in Knotted nets will NOT frey or unravel when cut, so in many cases this will be a sufficient finish for your project.
Having the net “raw”, also allows it to be further “cut to specific sizes and shapes” as required on site. One option that has been used in this situation, is to purchase black rope separately and weave it through the raw edge to create a neater finish as you’re installing it.
Pro’s:
- Can be cut to size on-site and it won’t frey or unravel
- Is generally the most economical option when buying by-the-metre or in bulk rolls
Con’s
- Not as durable at the netting attachment point as other finishes
- Does not look as neat as finished alternatives.
Rope Edge Sports Netting
The most commonly applied sports net finish is “Rope Edging”. A Rope Edge finish entails a rope (between 4mm and 12mm most commonly) being overlock stitched to the perimeter of the net using a purpose designed industrial sewing machine. The machine will intertwine 3 individual threads around the rope to bind the rope to the netting. Given the design of the machine, it is capable of facilitating the use of very heavy duty and UV treated threads.
The rope edging provides additional strength at the attachment point of your netting and also neatens the finish. It is for these reasons that this is the most commonly used finish on both major and backyard sports netting products around the world. It is commonly used on our Quatra range of Cricket Nets, baseball netting, basketball barrier nets and tennis nets.
A carabiner (similar to a snap hook) is then used to attach the netting to a tensioned wire rope so it can slide away like a curtain when not in use. Carabiners are usually placed every 50cm. Due to both the netting AND the rope being so flexible, it allows the sports netting to cascade away into a small space.
Pro’s:
- Strong and neat finish to your sports net
- Ideal for backyard right through to Commercial projects
- An economical option for edging your netting
- Facilitates a sliding net installation
Con’s
- Slightly more expensive than a raw net
Webbing Edging
A webbing applied to a sports net entails folding a length of material around the edge of a net and stitching it into place to create a wide border finish. The width of the tape finish can vary, but a common webbing would be 80mm, which when folded would appear to be 40mm wide along the edge of the net. Materials used would include either Polyester (a duller, flexible material used in sports nets) or PVC (A shiny finish that is quite stiff and more commonly used in cargo nets).
Due its appearance of looking thicker and more substantial than a rope edged net, webbing is often suspected of being the strongest and more durable option. In practice this “can” be correct, but in many cases it’s not. To stich the webbing to the netting, a twin needle sewing machine is used. Commonly, these machines cannot facilitate as thick a thread as the rope edging machine. Therefore to achieve sufficient strength, multiple runs need to be applied to the webbing which takes considerable time and in turn additional costs. Stitching the corner’s neatly, as well as punching in any required eyelets ensures this is the slowest and most expensive finish to apply to your net. Occasionally, customers will specify that the webbing will be applied in conjunction (to encompass) weighted rope.
Webbing (with eyelets) does have its place, however when being used as a “sliding curtain” net it will not cascade horizontally as easily as a rope edged net.
Pro’s:
- Strong and neat finish to your sports net
- Ideal for backyard right through to Commercial projects
- Provides a perception of quality and strength
- Facilitates a sliding net installation or vertically retractable installation
- Eyelet position can be customised to allow flexibility
Con’s
- An expensive option for edge finish
- Time consuming to manufacture
- In some cases, not as durable as a rope edged sports net
- Will not cascade as well as a rope edged net
- More complexity (Stitching/Corners/Eyelets) means more potential for issues long term.
- Can look overpowering in some settings
Weighted Rope Edging
Most commonly, a sports net will be attached at the top to a Tensioned Wire Cable, which allows the net to hang (and potentially slide as necessary). Depending on the application (taught vs relaxed, sliding vs fixed), you will also need to consider how the net will hang at the bottom.
The first option is to allow the sports netting to just simply hang, however you run the risk of the netting blowing in the wind OR moving when the ball strikes it. This in turn allows the ball to pass “under the net” and it can be quite inconvenient to have to retrieve it each time.
The second option is to (as per the top) attach the netting to a tensioned wire cable at the bottom at ground level. When measured accurately, this allows you to ensure a “taught” netting installation if required. The disadvantage here is that you will permanently have a wire cable running along the floor, and (if it is a sliding net) can become a trip hazard when the netting is not in use.
The 3rd option is weighted rope. Weighted rope is applied in the same method as traditional “rope edging”, so is a durable and easy addition. The weight will keep your netting weighed down, create some vertical tension and also ensure the ball can’t pass underneath. Being a flexible rope, it also works well when used as part of a sliding curtain installation.
Pro’s:
- Strong and neat finish to your sports net
- Ideal for backyard right through to Commercial projects
- Ensures you don’t need a wire rope at ground level
- Facilitates a sliding net installation
- Will stop the net blowing in the wind and stop the ball passing underneath
Con’s
- More expensive than normal rope edging
Corner Rope Ties
An additional option for your sports netting is to add corner rope ties. These are simply 1.5m lengths of rope that are attached to the corners (or as required) to your netting. They can be used as temporary OR permanent attachment methods for tying your net to a tree or post for example. They are also a convenient handle to grab onto and slide your sports netting into position.
Pro’s:
- Convenient for temporary installations
- Inexpensive
- Ideal for use to slide your sports net
- Lengths can be customised
- Removable
Con’s
- Nil
