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HUGE STOCK. FAST DELIVERY. ROPE EXPERTS.

Supplying quality rope to industry & the public since 1990

We are a leading online supplier offering a comprehensive range of ropes, from decking ropes and playground ropes to yacht ropes and industrial ropes.

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  • Large Amount Of Stock

  • Leading rope experts

  • Fast Delivery on orders

  • 30+ years experience

  • Expert Advice Available

The leading supplier of high-quality rope

As a leading online supplier, RopesDirect offers a comprehensive range of ropes to buy online – from decking ropes  and  playground ropes to yacht ropes and industrial ropes.

All our ropes are the highest possible quality and at a competitive price. Thanks to our exceptional level of service, customers return to us time and time again. But don’t just take our word for it - read what they have to say on our testimonials page.

Here's one of the latest:  "Excellent product, excellent website and extremely quick delivery. Very happy"

Browse our online collections of quality rope, and if you have any questions please feel free to email us.

Dependable rope, when you need it most.

Find all of our advice and ideas on ropes, how to use ropes and the best case for different types of rope.

Help & Advice

Shipping

I live nearby, can I collect my items?

Yes. You will need to place your order on-line and pay for it, selecting the "collect from warehouse" delivery option. We will let you know as soon as it is ready. Don't forget though that we are closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Will it arrive next working day?

We always say 1-2 working days. If you pay for your order by 12 noon on a working day, we aim for next day delivery (subject to delivery location which you can check HERE). But there are sometimes exceptionally busy days, for example after Bank Holidays.

General

How is rope measured?

Thicknesses are categorised by the diameter of the rope - ie measuring across the cross section or 'end' of a rope (some other countries use the circumference, which is the measurement around the rope). Diameters are measured in millimetres; lengths of rope are measured by the metre.

What type of rope to use?

Take a look at our online Rope Finder guide. There is advice about  which rope to use for many different jobs, and about the properties of different types of rope.

What can synthetic hemp be used for?

Synthetic hemp offers unmatched versatility.

It’s flexible and soft to the touch, yet easy to grip. It is easily spliced and takes knots well. Combined with its desirable rustic appearance, strength and overall resilience to wear and tear, it is a fantastic candidate for both indoor and outdoor settings, and a wide range of home and commercial projects.

Very often it’s chosen for garden projects.

As it’s fully weatherproof and resistant to UV, rot, mould and mildew, synthetic hemp is one of the hardiest options available for extended outdoor use. Perfect for use as decking rope, in rope fences and handrails, lawn edging, rose swags, swing seats etc, as well as on ships and boats, in construction, and kids’ play areas (used to make garden swings, rope ladders, climbing ropes and more).

To give you a little inspiration, we have some fantastic examples and great photos showing how synthetic hemp can be used in our blog. So be sure to take a look!

Synthetic fibre rope doesn’t shrink or swell when it gets wet, and the diameter tends to be more precise than with natural fibre rope. However, some small discrepancies can still occur. So if you plan to pass your synthetic hemp through posts – for example, on decking or as garden rails – please wait for the rope to arrive before drilling holes.

Generally, the holes will need to be larger than the rope’s diameter. We advise drilling a test hole on some spare timber so you can match the size with the rope you have in your hand. There is more information on measuring properly here.

Watch our video for guidance and top tips.

But how do you measure the length of my rope when I order it?

Excellent question. Warehouse Terry and colleagues use a hi-tec distance calibration tool. Watch the video to be amazed.

Do all ropes shrink when wet?

Only ropes made from natural fibres (cotton, Manila, coir, sisal etc) will shrink when wet.

Why? When natural fibres come into contact with water (rain, dew, immersion, humidity etc) the fibres absorb water causing them to swell. The expansion of the width of the fibre causes the length to shrink.

How much will they shrink? There is no exact formula as it depends on how wet the rope gets and which natural fibre is being used. We would suggest adding a minimum of 10-15% to your measurements and then erring on the side of caution.

Should I try and pre-shrink the rope? You can, but we prefer that the rope be placed in situ (without securing it) and left for several days allowing the shrinkage to occur naturally.

I want to be precise - what will the actual diameter of the rope be?

Ropes made from natural fibres can vary in size from batch to batch and by up to around +/-10%. This is most noticeable with Manila rope. Ropes made with synthetic fibres tend to be more accurate. Our advice is wait for your rope to arrive before cutting or drilling to make sure it fits as you want; and remember that holes in posts need to be substantially bigger than the rope's diameter otherwise the rope will 'bunch' as you try to feed it through. For example if you are fitting 32mm decking rope we would estimate you might need to drill a 36mm hole - we advise you wait for the rope to arrive and drill a test hole on some old wood first.

Our Customer Service Promise

It has been our founding principle since 1989. From our products to our deliveries, our rule of thumb is simple: “Is this what I would want, and how I would want it?"

We always treat your order as a high priority and aim to get it to you not only ASAP, but well packaged and in perfect condition. If you ever have a problem with your order or experience on RopesDirect, our amazing & friendly team will work with you to put it right.