As you can see, here at Ropes Direct we deal in all things rope. So we know pretty much all there is to know about it. And we’ve found that some questions are asked more frequently than others, so here we’re going to answer those questions.

Which rope floats?

If you’re after a type of rope that’ll float the best option available would be polypropylene rope. It’s a light weight synthetic. It doesn’t absorb water, it resistant to rot, mildew, oils and acids and can stretch when under a heavy load. It can be quite uncomfortable in hand however because it is stiffer than more natural fibres

When should I retire a rope?

Figuring out how long a rope has left can be tricky, but it’s important that you do it. A weakened rope can be a dangerous thing when in use for heavy load applications.

First and foremost, inspect the rope after each use. Don’t just use your eyes to do this, run your hand the entire length of the rope to see if it has frayed anywhere. If the core is visible or it’s degraded anywhere then it’s time to retire the rope. The ends of the rope tend to wear quicker than anywhere else because of knotting and load bearing, so make sure you check there carefully.

Will polyester rope stretch?

Whilst polyester rope is very similar to nylon rope it doesn’t stretch quite as well. But because it isn’t as stretchy it‘s often the perfect choice for people looking for the reliability of nylon rope, where stretching would be dangerous. Polyester is also resistant to mildew and rot.

What is cotton rope used for?

Cotton rope isn’t as strong as most other ropes but because of its softness it is used in a number of lighter applications. It’s much more comfortable to handle than other ropes too. Awnings, hammocks, tents are just 3 ways that it’s used. Natural cotton rope is also better at withstanding UV rays so is fine for outdoor use where it’ll be subjected to sun exposure.