Stair ropes, bannister rope, rope handrails and barrier ropes, made to measure in the UK by StairRopes.com

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.

Our speciality ropes are hand made, and combine different rope strands in both natural and synthetic fibres. Below are examples of all the ropes we use to make stair bannister ropes, rope handrails and barrier ropes. We are happy to provide sample short lengths of rope.

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.

Manila rope
24mm

MANILA ROPE has a wonderful golden look but feels much rougher than hemp or cotton. It is made from a coarse grass, using a 3 strand construction 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.

MANILA STAIR ROPE 3 STRAND - 24mm.

P.O.S.H. rope, dark beige (Polyester)
24mm

P.O.S.H. rope, pale beige (Polyester)
24mm

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.

Polyester rope - wine
24mm
OUT OF STOCK

COLOURED ROPES come in 24mm red, blue, wine, raspberry and black polyester and 24mm black and navy nylon.

Both polyester ropes and nylon ropes are high quality medium-laid ropes with a 3 strand construction.

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.

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.

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).

Hemp rope with cotton cord
24mm

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.

The special manila rope is made using three ropes of 6mm and one of 24mm manila laid together. Special manila stair rope comes up about 30mm in diameter, and would require the 32mm fittings.

Examples of these wormed ropes are shown here in a variety of fibres and colours. Other combinations of ropes can be made to order.

COLOURED SPECIALITY ROPES make especially good looking barrier ropes. 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.

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:

HEMP/COTTON MIX (natural colours) STAIR ROPE - 24mm and 32mm.

MANILA MIX (natural colours) STAIR ROPE - 30mm.

NYLON/COTTON MIX (coloured) STAIR ROPE - 24mm.

POLYESTER/POLYPROPYLENE MIX (coloured) STAIR ROPE - 24mm.

For any more information or advice:
Contact James Watson at Stairropes.com

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Stair ropes in 24mm and 32mm hemp with 2 ply end knots