We love it when customers send us photos of our ropes in action. It’s great to see the diverse range of ways they’re used, particularly if it’s something unique and creative. Which is why, we were absolutely delighted when our recent customer – Stuart – reached out to us.
Stuart got in touch with a few pics of a chair he revamped using our sisal rope.
Having found the chair at a local charity shop, he decided to strip off the old, worn-out seagrass and repair the back and seat with 6mm superior sisal.
He copied the original pattern of the seagrass, using very long lengths of the sisal (to avoid any lumpy joins) and pulling it between the steel supports of the chair. Once finished, he then dampened the chair with water – causing the fibres to shrink and tightening the weave.
It certainly sounds like a lot of hard work and effort went into the project, with strength and consistency being the key to its success. But we think you’ll agree, the results are highly worthwhile. The renovated chair looks fabulous! Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
All credit to Stuart, sisal rope is a fantastic choice for this type of project – particularly our superior grade sisal rope which has a smoother finish. In fact, it’s a great choice for many different uses and applications. That’s one of its main advantages. It’s an incredibly versatile type of rope.
- It can be used for a wide range of handicrafts, including everything from making furniture and home décor items to pet toys such as cat scratching posts and chews.
- It’s commonly chosen for domestic garden projects, like decking and timberwork.
- It’s also popular with gardeners, with sisal twine in particular, frequently used in the potting shed for making tomato trellises, supporting plant growth, creating plant hangers etc.
It’s certainly not a coincidence that natural sisal rope is one of our best-selling products. Aside from its versatility, let’s take a look at some of its key properties and benefits.
6 benefits of sisal rope
- A ‘classic rope’ appearance
Sisal rope is known for being a little bit fuzzy.
Our standard sisal is very textured and rugged. Whereas – made from premium yarn – superior grade sisal has a slightly smoother and less hairy finish, giving it a more refined look and feel.
But either way, they’re both perfect options for creating a traditional rope aesthetic. And the rustic style works particularly well with planting, garden decking, timberwork and pergolas.
- Excellent eco-credentials
A fully natural option, ideal for when sustainability is a priority.
Sisal rope is derived from the Agave Sisalana plant.
Not only does this require minimal water to grow, it typically reaches its maturity within 4-6 months, meaning crops can be replenished quickly and it’s a highly sustainable resource. Plus it doesn’t need any fertilisers or pesticides, and has very little impact on the atmosphere.
It’s an environmentally responsible choice that both looks good and does good.
- Biodegradable
Adding to its eco-friendly credentials, sisal rope is also biodegradable.
It decomposes naturally, minimising environmental pollution. This is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular choice with gardeners and farmers working with land and animals.
- Tougher than you think
For a natural rope, sisal is surprisingly tough.
It boasts an impressive level of inherent strength, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications.
Generally it has excellent resistance to UV rays, as well as good resistance to alkalis. It also demonstrates very little stretch, even when exposed to water. As a result, it can withstand rigorous use both indoors and out.
- Easy to handle
Natural sisal rope is very soft-to-touch and flexible. What’s more, thanks to the natural hairy texture of the fibres, it provides excellent grip and traction – making it particularly easy to handle.
By enhancing friction, its rough surface also leads to excellent knot retention.
This is particularly true when it gets wet, and the fibres shrink. Stuart used this feature to his advantage, wetting the sisal rope to tighten the weave of his chair. But it’s something to keep in mind when making your purchase, as you’ll need to add a little extra to the length required.
- Affordable
Last but not least, it’s inexpensive.
Here at RopesDirect, our standard sisal starts from just 24p per metre, whilst our superior grade is slightly more (but also fantastic value), currently available from 30p per metre (August 2024).
It’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly natural rope on a limited budget.
Think sisal rope could be right for you?
Both standard sisal rope and superior sisal rope are available to purchase in coils, reels and by the metre, in diameters ranging from 6mm to 40mm. We always have plenty of stock in our warehouse, and if you order by noon, it’ll usually be delivered the next working day.
If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to get in touch.
Whether you’d like to find out more about the natural sisal rope products available, or are still unsure if it’s the right option for you, we’re more than happy to help.
And keep in mind, if you do buy sisal rope from our store – just like Stuart’s chair – we’d love to see how it was used and the final results of your handiwork. Please tag us in your photos on social media using @RopesDirect. Or for a chance to feature in our blog, send them to info@ropesdirect.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.