Netting Selection Guide

Selecting the proper net for your application can sometimes be a confusing process because of the many different options available. Understanding those options will help you decide which netting product is right for you.

Netting is a versatile product that has many benefits. It can be used for a variety of purposes, from sports safety, facility safety, barrier systems, to construction safety. There are different types of netting made from various materials. The mesh size and type can also vary depending on the application. Netting is often finished with an edge or border, and it is fastened in place with hardware.

Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene
Kevlar™
Steel
Plastic

Netting Types with Limited Mesh Sizes
Netting Types with Highly Customizable Mesh Sizes

Rope Borders
Webbing Borders
Finished Edge

Snap Hooks
Rings
Cam Buckles
Loops

Fall Safety
Construction
Cargo Containment
Marine
Hatches
Lifting

Conveyor Systems
Safety Barrier, All Purpose Barrier
Military
Sports
Animal Containment
Climbing
Decorative

An Overview of Different Types of Netting

Netting comes in a variety of forms and is used for a wide range of purposes. Whether you’re looking to keep your cargo safe during transport, keep your employees safe from dangerous falls, protect equipment and personnel from falling debris, or if you need to create a barrier, there’s a type of netting that’s perfect for the job. In this guide, we’ll give a brief overview of some of the most popular types of netting so that you can make an informed purchasing decision.

Cord/Twine Netting

Cord netting, often referred to as twine netting, is cylindrical in shape and is made from a few typical materials such as polypropylene, polyester, and nylon. Cord thickness and mesh size can be configured in many different ways to meet the needs of your application. Cord netting is configured in two main types: Knotted and Knotless.

Knotted Netting

Knotted Netting Knotted netting is just what it sounds like—netting that is held together by knots. This type of netting is stronger than cord/twine netting and is often used for industrial and spectator safety.

Knotless Netting

Knotless netting is similar to knotted netting, but instead of being held together by knots, it’s held together by a weave. This type of netting is typically made from nylon or polyethylene and is used in applications where strength and durability are important, such as fall safety netting.

Cord netting is commonly used in the following applications:

Fall Safety
Sports Barrier Systems
All Purpose Barriers

Web Netting

Web netting is made from interlocking strands of material, similar to cord/twine netting. Webbing is a flat material unlike cord netting, which is cylindrical. Webbing is also much stronger and more durable. It’s often used for cargo control and safety barriers.

The most common uses of web netting are:

Safety Barrier Systems (vertical or horizontal)
Cargo Containment
Lifting

Rope Netting

Rope netting is just what the name suggests, a net made from rope material. The most common type of rope used for making rope nets is manila rope and poly dacron rope. Rope netting is great for decorative applications such as nautical themes and is also prominent on obstacle courses for climbing.

The most common uses for rope netting are:

Climbing
Decorative
Cargo Containment

Rope netting with a border and rope netting without a border on a white background

Metal Netting

Metal netting is one of the most durable types of netting available. They are often used in industrial applications because they can withstand a lot of abuse and are very strong. Metal nets come in 3 different types:

Steel Cable Nets
Steel Chain Nets
Decorative Steel Nets

Steel nets are ideal for the following applications:

Heavy Duty Barrier Systems & Fall Protection (bridge construction and heavy duty containment)
Heavy Duty Lifting
Decorative

Steel Cable Netting

Steel cable nets are configured using galvanized or stainless steel cables with a variety of different cable thickness to choose from. These types of nets are often used in heavy duty applications such as bridge construction to catch falling concrete and hold back large sections of rock to prevent collapse.

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Steel Chain Netting

Steel chain nets are the most heavy duty of the metal netting lineup. Steel chains are meshed together using heavy duty bolts and washers, which provide a strength that can hold up to the most demanding applications. Often used for lifting extremely heavy materials or when extremely heavy materials need to be prevented from hazardous falls. Heavy duty steel chain nets are also a good option to help prevent injury or death from terroristic threats.

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Decorative Steel Netting

Decorative steel nets are made from thin diameter stainless steel cables and ferrules to create an attractive steel wire mesh. Decorative steel nets are often used to accentuate the architecture of a building in stairways, retail environments, and privacy areas.

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Plastic Netting

When you need to secure an area or set up boundaries for safety, few products work as well for as long as plastic netting. As a substitute for metal fencing and chicken wire, you’ll never have to worry about it rusting. Plastic mesh netting is also safer to handle than metal wire and is more cost-effective. Some of plastic netting’s advantages include:

Lifetime durability
Wide selection of duty ranges from fine mesh to heavy duty
Purpose-built for different applications
Multiple colors and mesh patterns to choose from

The major benefit of plastic netting is its versatility and wide range of use. From light duty applications such as crop protection to heavy duty applications such as elk fence, plastic netting is sure to have a configuration available for any application.

Some of the most common applications for plastic netting include:

Safety Barrier Fence
Deer & Elk Fence
Agricultural
Containment
Snow Fence
Pallet Rack Safety Barrier

Different Types of Netting Materials

When it comes to netting, there are a variety of different materials that can be used in its construction. The most common materials are nylon, polyester, polypropylene, Kevlar™, steel, and plastic. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages that make it better or worse suited for specific uses. The most common materials used in netting are as follows:

Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene
Kevlar™
Steel
Plastic

Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic polymer that was first developed in 1935. It’s characterized by its high strength and elasticity, as well as its resistance to UV light and abrasion. Nylon is often used in netting because it provides an excellent balance of strength and weight. However, one downside of nylon is that it has a relatively high coefficient of friction, which can make it challenging to work with.

Polyester

Polyester is another synthetic polymer that shares many of the same properties as nylon. It, too, is strong, elastic, and resistant to UV light and abrasion. Polyester is often used in netting because it’s less expensive than nylon and has a lower coefficient of friction. However, one downside of polyester is that it’s not as strong as nylon and is more likely to stretch over time.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that was first developed in 1954. It’s characterized by its high resistance to chemical degradation and its low density. Polypropylene is often used in netting because it’s lightweight and durable. However, one downside of polypropylene is its relatively low melting point, making it challenging to work with.

Kevlar

Kevlar is a synthetic fiber that was first developed in 1971. It’s characterized by its high strength-to-weight ratio and its resistance to heat and chemicals. Kevlar is often used in netting because it’s extremely strong, lightweight, and has a very high heat resistance. However, one downside of Kevlar is that it’s expensive and challenging to work with.

Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that was first developed centuries ago. Its high strength and durability characterize it. Steel is often used in netting because it’s extremely strong. However, one downside of steel is that it’s heavy and challenging to work with.

Plastic

Plastic is a synthetic polymer that was first developed in the early 1900s. Its low cost and versatility characterize it. Plastic is often used in netting because it’s inexpensive and easy to work with. However, one downside of plastic is that it’s not as strong as other materials, such as nylon or polyester.

As you can see, there are a variety of different materials that can be used in the construction of netting. Each material has its own unique set of properties that make it better or worse suited for specific use cases. When choosing a material for your next project, be sure to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of each option so you can select the best possible option for your needs!

All about Mesh Sizes

Mesh size refers to the size of the openings that make up the net. The mesh size will determine the strength of the net. The smaller the mesh mesh size the stronger the net will be because it is utilizing more material. Mesh sizes are configured based on the application and also by the size of the object that is being contained. If small objects need to be contained, then a smaller mesh size is required.

Netting Types with Limited Mesh Size

With certain netting types the customizations are limited because the raw material only comes in a handful of different mesh sizes. The types of netting that have limited mesh sizes are as follows:

Cord/Twine Netting
Plastic Netting
Rope Netting

Netting Types with Highly Customizable Mesh Size

If your application requires customization for larger mesh sizes the following types of netting will accommodate custom requirements:

Web Netting
Steel Netting

UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDGE FINISHING/BORDERS

Edge finishing/borders are common on cord netting. When cord netting is cut to size it tends to leave loose edges on the net that are unattractive. Adding a border to the net will not only enhance the appearance of the net but also make it stronger. Some borders are stronger than others. Rope and webbing borders provide the most strength (Rope providing the strongest), while finished edges provide the least strength.

There are three main types of netting borders:

Rope Borders
Webbing Borders
Finished Edge (Serged Edge)

Close up of a green and black rope border

Rope Borders

Rope borders are another type of edge finishing that uses—you guessed it—a rope to create a border around the edge of the net. Rope borders are often used for heavier duty applications because the rope provides more structure than a webbing border or finished edge. A ⅜” nylon rope is most commonly used as a netting border. Falls safety nets are a good example of a requirement for a rope border.

Webbing Borders

Webbing borders are a type of edge finishing that uses a strip of webbing that is folded over the material and sewn to create a clean, straight border around the edge of the net. Webbing borders a great for creating netting panels that have grommets punched in for easy fastening.

Finished Edges

When an item has finished edges, it means that the raw edges of the fabric have been sewn or serged together to create a clean finish. One advantage of finished edges is that they won’t fray over time like other types of edge finishes can and it gives the netting a clean look.

Now that you know a little bit more about some of the different types of edge finishing, you can make an informed decision next time you’re purchasing netting. Go with a webbing border if you want to fasten a number of netting panels together. Are you looking for something sturdy and built to last? Rope border it is. Or maybe you need something that won’t fray over time? Finished edges might be the way to go. No matter your needs, there’s an edge finish out there that’s perfect for you.

HARDWARE NETTING ATTACHMENT OPTIONS

When attaching netting to a structure, several tried-and-true methods make the job quick and easy. Depending on the application, one method may be better suited than another. This overview will touch on some of the most popular attachment options to help you make an informed decision about the best way to secure your netting.

The most popular hardware attachments are as follows:

Snap Hooks
Rings
Cam Buckles
Loop

Snap Hooks

A snap hook is a fastener that consists of a metal eyelet with a spring-loaded gate. The gate is opened and closed by squeezing a release latch. This type of attachment is often used in applications where the netting needs to be removed and replaced frequently, such as in fall safety nets. Another advantage of snap hooks is the ease of fasting the net to a structure.

Rings

Rings are a versatile attachment option that can be used in a variety of applications. They are made from metal and sometimes dipped in a plastic coating to provide longevity and protection. One advantage of rings is that they can be attached directly to the structure without any additional hardware. Another advantage is that rings provide a strong connection point for multiple strands of netting, which can come in handy if you need to cover a large area. Rings are often used for webbing nets.

Cam Buckles

Another hardware option often used with webbing nets is cam buckles. Cam buckles consist of a metal frame with an attached cam lever. The cam lever tightens or loosens the webbing or rope fed through the frame. This type of connection is often used in applications where tension needs to be adjustable, such as cargo nets or barrier nets. The advantage of cam buckles is that they can be quickly released under tension, making them ideal for situations where time is of the essence.

Loops

Loops are simply lengths of webbing or rope sewn into a loop. This type of attachment is often used in applications where a strong connection point is needed, but an adjustment is not required, such as webbing cargo containment nets or rope netting. The advantage of loops is that they provide a strong connection point without any additional hardware, which makes them ideal for tying down or attaching to other structures.

AN OVERVIEW OF NETTING APPLICATIONS

Netting has a variety of applications, from fall safety to debris containment. It is a versatile and affordable solution for many needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most common netting applications.

A falling man caught on the ground inside of a net

Fall Safety

One of the most important uses for netting is fall safety. Construction workers or hazardous plant workers are just a few professionals who use netting to create a safe work environment. By creating a barrier around the perimeter of the work area, netting protects workers from falling objects and prevents them from accidentally falling off the edge.

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Debris netting wrapped around a building

Construction

Construction netting or debris netting is commonly used in construction projects for a variety of purposes. It can be used to create temporary barriers around the perimeter of the construction site (typically plastic netting) or placed over scaffolding or openings to keep debris from entering or falling out of the building. It is also often used during demolition projects to catch debris as it falls.

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Cargo netting holding down a load on a truck

Cargo Containment

Netting is frequently used in the shipping and transportation industries for cargo containment. It is an effective way to secure loose items in trucks, trailers, and containers. Netting can also be used on ships and planes to secure cargo during transit.

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Marine

Netting is also used extensively in the marine industry. It is used for everything from cargo containment to creating safe swimming areas. Nets can be placed around the perimeter of a ship to prevent debris from falling overboard or placed over hatches to keep people from falling through. In coastal areas, netting is often used to create safe swimming areas protected from some types of jellyfish and other marine life.

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Orange hatch netting attached to a metal box

Hatches

Netting is often used in hatches and pits to prevent dangerous or fatal falls. It is placed over hatches. In these cases, netting is usually made from a high-strength polyester or polypropylene material.

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Lifting

Netting is a great option for lifting heavy material. Many industrial plants, construction sites, and military units use lifting nets to transport heavy materials. Lifting nets are often made of webbing and rope materials.

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Conveyor Systems

Conveyor systems are a popular application for netting because it prevents objects from falling off of conveyors and injuring personnel below. Conveyor netting is also used to protect other conveyor systems from being damaged from falling objects from other conveyor systems above.

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Safety Barrier, All Purpose Barrier

Netting can also serve as a very functional safety barrier. Vertical or horizontal safety barriers are constantly in demand to protect elevated edges such as loading docks, mezzanines, and other hazardous areas in facilities. All purpose netting barriers are great for dividing areas and preventing people or animals from entering certain areas.

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Military

The military also uses netting for a variety of applications. It is used to create temporary barriers, secure cargo during transport, and lift heavy materials.

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Netting stopping a baseball in a batting cage

Sports

Netting is also used in sports. It is often used as a safety net around sports parks and arenas to provide spectator safety to catch balls or pucks hit out of the park/arena. It is also used in golf to create driving ranges and to catch errant balls. Cord netting is most commonly used for sports netting applications.

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Animal Containment

Netting can be used to contain animals. It is often used to keep chickens and other poultry in a small area. It can also create temporary pens or barriers for livestock. Most animal containment nets are made from plastic materials.

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Climbing

Climbing netting is designed for human use and is made from rope or webbing that has been interwoven to create a strong, durable surface. It’s often used by climbers or by military personnel during training exercises.

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Decorative

Decorative netting can be made from a variety of materials, including rope or steel. It is usually placed around patios, decks, gardens, or other outdoor areas to add a touch of beauty and style. This type of netting is usually not as durable as other types because it is not meant to be used for any functional purpose.

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