Want to add some decking rope to your garden in time for the summer?

The question is: should you attempt to install it yourself or call a professional?

Of course, the DIY route will require more effort and certain parts of the process can be a little tricky. But if you have the time and want to save yourself a little money, it’s certainly doable. In fact, we’d say it’s pretty straightforward – and can even be a rather enjoyable project to get stuck into!

You just need to plan ahead, do a little prep work and invest in the right equipment for the job. To help your installation go as quickly and hiccup-free as possible, here we outline some of the most common ‘decking rope’ mistakes and how to avoid them.

 

Common decking rope mistakes to avoid

 

• Not doing your rope research

For home decking projects, some people are drawn to natural fibre ropes, such as Jute and Manila – and it’s easy to understand why. These have a very rustic and traditional aesthetic, which perfectly complements the decking’s timberwork and any planting.

In terms of their durability, however? They may not be the best match for the job.

Jute and Manila aren’t completely unsuitable for outdoor use. But it’s important to be aware – due to their natural fibres – they will deteriorate much quicker than a synthetic alternative. They can also be quite difficult to fit with metal fittings.

Here at RopesDirect, our no.1 recommendation for decking rope is 24-36mm Synthetic Hemp. Natural in appearance and soft-to-touch yet also inherently strong, waterproof and UV resistant, this offers the best of all worlds. And can be left outside for many years without any issues.

Synthetic Sisal and PolySilk are both also fantastic ropes for decking.

 

• Drilling holes that are too small

If you take one thing away from this blog, let it be this.

Always wait for your decking rope to arrive before you drill any holes.

Rope can vary in diameter, and you’ll need to drill a hole that’s slightly larger than the diameter of your rope. This is to stop it from ‘bunching’ up or getting stuck as you feed it through.

To ensure you get the right fit, it’s worth drilling a few test holes in a spare piece of wood.

Patience not your strongest virtue? If you’ve already drilled holes in the posts and they’re too tight, all is not lost. Try binding the front end of the rope with PVC electrical tape – making it thin enough to push through. The body of the rope should then also be able to pull through without any bunching.

Detailed instructions on how to do this can be found in our YouTube video.

 

 

• Miscalculating how much rope you need

This seems like it should be relatively easy to work out. However, it actually trips many people up, including experienced landscapers! So much so that we’ve written a separate blog that focuses specifically on the topic – ‘How much decking rope do I need?’.

It’s worth taking a look at this before placing your order. But to summarise here, there are a few things people often forget:

 

1. 1. Additional rope needed for the swags or droops

Once you’ve measured the distance from one decking post to the next, we typically recommend adding an extra 3-5% for the swag. Another way of calculating this is to suspend some string between each post, allowing for the depth of swag you like best.

1. 2. Extra rope required for any knots

We advise adding 40-50cm for every knot you intend to tie in your decking rope fence.

1. 3. The impact of any metal fittings

If you’re planning to use brass hooks and eye plates (to attach the rope to a wooden post or wall), these usually take up 9cm – so you can deduct that from your measurement.

 

To give yourself some leeway, it’s also worth adding a little extra to the final total. We have no interest in selling more than you need. However, erring on the side of caution, it’s always better to have a little too much than not enough – the surplus can simply be cut off.

 

• Failing to consider shrinkage

When exposed to the elements, natural decking ropes are prone to shrinkage.

The extent of this shrinkage will vary depending on the exact natural fibre (i.e. jute or manila), how long the rope is subject to damp conditions and how wet it becomes. But in most cases, to fully counteract this effect, we typically recommend adding an extra 10-15% to the length.

Before you get started, we also advise placing the rope in situ in your garden for a few days. This allows any shrinkage to occur prior to installation – allowing you to cut it to size with confidence.

 

 

• Cutting the rope

No matter how well you calculate the amount of decking rope you need, the chances are, you’ll need to cut it down to size.

To ensure a neat finish on synthetic ropes, we suggest heat sealing the ends.

This can easily be done by heating a blade with a blowtorch, and gently sliding this through the rope fibres. Again, we have a handy YouTube tutorial with step-by-step instructions on how to do this. Alternatively, a fantastic heated rope cutting knife is available to purchase in our store.

To ensure a neat finish on natural ropes, a knife with a serrated blade works well.

 

 

Ready to give it a go?

Even as a complete DIY novice, fitting decking rope is usually a quick, easy project. Especially if you do the prep, watch our short videos and avoid these common mistakes!

Here at RopesDirect, we offer five types of decking rope – Synthetic Hemp, Synthetic Sisal, PolySilk, Jute and Manila. All of which come in a range of diameters and are sold by the metre for a competitive price. They’re also available for next day delivery. So why not take a look and get cracking in time for summer?

Place your order today and set aside a few hours to get the job done.

Further advice and information on decking rope can be found throughout our website. But if you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact us. Simply fill out our online enquiry form and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

And keep in mind, we love to see our products in action. If you do decide to take the DIY route (or not!), send us a photo of your lovely new decking.