Want to build a rope fence in your garden?
Garden rope fences are a perfect addition if you want a decorative touch to your outdoor space. But they can also be very functional. For example, they can be used to divide areas of the backyard, perhaps creating a safety boundary around decking or separating your patio area from the home allotment. And the best bit. They're really quick and easy to build.
Take a look at this fantastic DIY garden rope fence inspiration – made by our customer, Jonathan. We love to see where our ropes go and how they look in situ, so we were thrilled to receive these photos. Made from 36mm synthetic hemp, and fitted with black nickel hooks, and eye plates, we think you'll agree that they look very impressive.
If you're looking for a way to keep busy and fancy having a go at making your own, simply order your materials today and follow our beginner's guide on how to build a rope fence.
5 steps to make an impressive garden rope and post fence
Prepare the area
Firstly, you need to decide where you would like the garden rope fence to go.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by using two thin wooden stakes. Tie these together using a length of string and push them into the ground to mark out the desired beginning and endpoint of your new fence. If left in place, this string will help you to fit the rope posts in a straight line.
At this stage, you should also determine a suitable distance between each rope post. This distance will depend on the fence's overall length and your personal preferences. But, for most projects, we recommend leaving approximately 1-2 metres between each.
Measure the gaps carefully, taking care to follow the string, and mark out each location with spray paint.
Measuring how much rope you need
Measure the full route of the fence from the first post to the last.
Next, decide how many rows of rope you'd like on your rope fence. Most people opt for between one and three rows. If you're looking for a stronger boundary, choose more, or choose fewer if you want a more decorative piece.
Once decided, just multiply the length of the rope by the number of rows you wish to have.
It's important that you remember to add extra rope for sags, trimming, and knots. It's often safe to have between 10-15% extra length just in case. And, do remember that we sell our rope by the full metre.
Dig the holes
You're now ready to start digging.
Start at the first wooden stake and dig into the ground. Typically, you should aim to create a hole a minimum of 12 inches deep and two inches wider than your post. For taller posts, you will want to dig deeper. Keep the hole square if you can. When you are ‘planting’ the posts, it is often a good idea to use half bricks or rubble to jam the post in place at a low level.
To allow effective water drainage and help prevent rot, it's a good idea to place a little gravel into the bottom of each. If you are concreting the posts in, it is also wise to create a slight mound at the surface level so rainwater runs away from the wood.
Repeat the process until all post holes have been created. Add the rope posts
Now that the ground has been fully prepared, it's time to start building your rope fence.
Lower a post slowly into the first hole, making sure it's as straight as possible. Once you're happy with its position, fill the hole (to ground level) with the soil that was previously removed – and use a hand tamper to pack it down.
All posts should be installed and secured in the same way. We advise you to wait for your rope to arrive before cutting or drilling posts, etc., because rope can vary in diameter ever so slightly.
If you're feeding rope through a post, you should always drill a much larger hole - for example, to feed a 32mm decking rope through a post, we would drill a 36mm hole. The rope will 'bunch' up as you try to feed it through. Check out our helpful video on this very point – better to get the job right the first time!
Attach the rope
The next step is to attach the rope to the rope posts – and this can be done in a number of ways. One of the most popular is using metal rope fittings. This was the method employed by Jonathan; as you can see, it creates a highly professional and attractive finish. Simply screw an eye plate into the top of each wooden post and attach the rope using a matching rope end hook.
Alternatively, you could drill holes into the posts and thread the rope through. Or – to create a rustic, nautical rope fence – simply tie it in place using an overhand knot or clove hitch. Whichever technique you choose for your rope fence, be sure to continue with that technique throughout the design and keep the same amount of rope slack between each post.
Do the final checks
Lastly, you need to check that everything is sturdy and secure.
The rope posts shouldn't wobble if they are planted deep enough and the soil is compacted well.
For rope fences that have been threaded or tied with knots, it's also a good idea to secure them in place (and ensure they won't unravel) by using nails or screws.
Start building your garden rope fence today
Compared to other types of garden partitions, a decorative rope fence is relatively easy to make. And, thanks to our handy step-by-step guide, you can have it up and running in no time – creating a pleasant space for you and the family to enjoy this summer.
So, what are you waiting for? Here at RopesDirect, we have a range of high-quality decking rope styles and materials that are perfect for this type of project – including synthetic hemp, polyhemp, jute, manila, and more. These are all suitable for outdoor use and available for a competitive price.
To determine how much you need, you can also use a piece of string to plan out the rope fence – creating the desired ‘drape' from post to post – and then simply measure the string. We also stock a fantastic range of rope-end hooks and eye plates. We'll deliver them to your home address in a matter of days.
If you have any questions about the products available or would like further advice on how to build a garden rope fence, you're also welcome to get in touch. Send an email to [email protected] and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.