Stair ropes, bannister rope, rope handrails and barrier ropes, made to measure in the UK by StairRopes.com
Stair Ropes . com
ROPES FOR STAIR ROPES & HANDRAILS
Rope has been traditionally produced using natural fibres like hemp, cotton or manila. Some of the modern alternatives used to make synthetic ropes are nylon, polypropylene and polyester.
A great range of rope and cordage is manufactured today to suit a variety of requirements. The quality or grade of rope will depend on the type of material used and the process of construction.
The ropes we supply for stair ropes, rope handholds and barrier ropes have been chosen for their superior features and sustainable characteristics - ropes which are not only attractive and feel comfortable in the hand, but are properly constructed, and will prove to be reliable and long lasting. We are happy to provide sample short lengths of rope.
We also hand-make an exclusive range of decorative speciality ropes, which combine different rope strands in both natural and synthetic fibres. We do not send out samples of the wound ropes as these are not on coils, but are individually made to length. Below are examples of all the ropes we use to make stair bannister ropes, rope handrails and barrier ropes.
Natural fibre ropes are good choices for a stair rope, bannister rope or hand rail. Ropes such as hemp or cotton feel pleasant to hold and integrate well with both traditional and modern interiors.
Hemp rope
32mm
HEMP ROPE has a warm natural buff colour.
We use the best quality hemp rope manufactured by machine to industrial specifications. This is a 4 strand, hard laid (tightly twisted) rope, which feels firm to hold, is highly resistant to abrasion and scuffing, and has a breaking load of 4 tons upwards - way above the requirements for a stair rope!
Hemp is a very stable rope, smooth looking, extremely hard wearing and tends not to show the marks.
It has a definite natural odour, which will vary from batch to batch, depending on the harvest. Generally, the smell will tend to disappear (or you will get used to it) after a few weeks. If you are at all unsure on this, please ask for a sample of rope first. Our 4 strand hemp stair rope is available in 24mm and 32mm diameters.
Cotton rope
24mm
COTTON ROPE is softer to the touch than hemp, and is a natural (unbleached) white colour. It looks very smart and is often combined with brass fittings in a nautical setting.
Care is needed to prevent marks from showing - an upholstery spray may be applied to protect the rope or, to remove small stains, a soft nailbrush with soapy water is effective.
Our Cotton stair rope is a very high quality 4 strand, medium-to-hard laid rope and is available in 24mm diameter.
Natural Ropes to order:
Natural ropes for stair ropes and barrier ropes are available in the following diameters:
HEMP STAIR ROPE 4 STRAND - 24mm and 32mm.
COTTON STAIR ROPE 4 STRAND - 24mm.
Synthetic fibre ropes tend to be more weather and damp resistant than natural ropes, making them particularly suitable for outdoor applications.
'NATURAL COLOURED' synthetic ropes are available in two shades of beige, suitable for 24mm and 32mm diameter fittings. The P.O.S.H. rope we supply is an excellent quality 4 strand spun polyester rope with a good texture and low stretch factor - the closest imitation to best quality hemp, and far superior to the widely available polypropylene based 'synthetic hemp' ropes.
P.O.S.H. rope has high strength, is smooth to the touch and made with an enhanced U.V. inhibitor, making it extremely weather resistant. It was developed for the world of classic yachts, where the combination of good looks, durability and performance are of paramount importance.
P.O.S.H. rope, dark beige (Polyester)
24mm
P.O.S.H. rope, pale beige (Polyester)
24mm
We supply COLOURED ROPES in 24mm red and blue polyester, and 24mm black and navy nylon. Polyester ropes and nylon ropes are both high quality medium-laid ropes with a 3 strand construction. The nylon rope is firm and smooth to hold, and has a satin sheen. Polyester rope has a softer texture, closer in feel to a natural rope. COMING SOON: P.O.S.H. 4-strand coloured ropes in dark green and black.
Coloured synthetic ropes may be used outside, although bear in mind that in bright sunlight, the colour will gradually fade and the ropes will eventually suffer from a brittling effect.
Polyester rope - blue
24mm
Nylon rope - black
24mm
Polyester rope - red
24mm
Nylon rope - navy
24mm
Synthetic Ropes to order:
Synthetic ropes for stair ropes and barrier ropes are available in the following diameters:
P.O.S.H. (Natural colour) STAIR ROPE 4 STRAND - 24mm and 32mm.
POLYESTER COLOURED STAIR ROPE 3 STRAND - 24mm.
NYLON COLOURED STAIR ROPE 3 STRAND - 24mm.
OUR SPECIALITY ROPES are hand-made and incorporate multiple strands laid together around a rope core using a technique known as "worming".
Cotton rope with hemp cord
24mm
"Worm and parcel with the lay, turn about and serve away"
This refrain is from the days when natural fibre ropes were treated with various protective layers to keep the water and grit from penetrating the centre of the rope.
Worming a rope is twisting a smaller diameter cord into the gap between the strands of a large rope, parceling is wrapping a strip of canvas around the rope; these are both done with the lay (direction of twist) of the rope and then the serving (a continuous binding or whipping with still smaller diameter cord) is put in against the lay (ie. in the opposite direction).
NATURAL ROPES can be twisted together (or wormed) to produce an attractive two tone rope.
Four strands of 3mm or 4 mm cord are wound around a 24mm rope in cotton or hemp - to be used with a 24mm bracket or barrier rope fitting. These are now also available in 32mm ropes/brackets.
Examples of these wormed ropes are shown here in a variety of fibres and colours. Other combinations of ropes can be made to order.
Hemp rope with cotton cord
24mm
Hemp rope with hemp cord
24mm
COLOURED SPECIALITY ROPES make especially good looking decorative rope hand rails. Using the traditional sailor's technique, three smaller diameter strands of 4mm cotton or 3mm polypropylene are wormed by hand around a 24mm synthetic rope core. These ropes require 24mm fittings.
Navy nylon rope with cotton cord
24mm
Black nylon rope with cotton cord
24mm
Note that the wound ropes are not as durable or hard wearing as the standard ropes. The windings are not part of the manufacturing process, they are added on afterwards as a decorative extra (if a wound rope were to be used at sea it would be parceled ie. wrapped in canvas).
If a wound rope is twisted against its lay (direction of twist in the rope) then the windings will lift and could become dislodged. This can be seen on a sample by holding both ends and twisting in opposite directions: one direction will tighten the rope and windings, the other will make it start to kink and the windings will lift.
A stair rope would not be affected by this because the cross screw in the brackets stop the rope from twisting, but care should be taken during handling at the installation stage that the rope does not twist in the wrong direction.
A long barrier rope however would need particular care with the handling and should be properly coiled when not in place.
Red polyester rope with black polypropylene cord
24mm
Speciality Ropes to order:
Speciality ropes for stair ropes and barrier ropes are available in the following diameters:
24mm STAIR or BARRIER ROPES
cotton rope with hemp cord
nylon or polyester rope with cotton or polyester cord
24mm and 32mm STAIR or BARRIER ROPES
hemp rope with cotton cord
POSH rope with polyester or cotton cord
For any more information or advice:
Contact James Watson at Stairropes.com
by email
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Full details on our Stair Ropes
CONTACT page.
Stair ropes in 24mm and 32mm hemp with 2 ply end knots
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