Fence contractors use a number of ropes and rope related products – sometimes as ties, sometimes as rails or other major fence components. In addition to twisted and braided cordage and netting made from natural and synthetic twines, wire rope and cable are often specified.

Hollow Braid – Hollow braided polypropylene, similar to water ski tow rope, is frequently used to tie tennis nets in place and to tie windscreens to chain link tennis or baseball fences. Black color, 3/16″ diameter is common.

Manila Rope – Large diameter manila rope, 1 1/4″ through 2″, is used as fence railing or frame, especially when the fence contractor wants to create a nautical look. Woven cargo netting, or in some cases rope netting, can be used as the fence fabric inside the manila rope frame.

Sometimes UnManila is substituted for Maniila rope. This tan synthetic doesn’t duplicate the appearance of the original – the monofilament type just looks like tan polypropylene, while some of the film types have a much more authentic look. And there are cases where UnManila (AKA Pro Manila, PolyManila, and synthetic Manila) is really a better decorative rope choice. It is also a good product for use in creating an outdoor feel indoors.

Polyester Rope – although more costly than manila, is also popular as fence rail, especially – along with UnManila – on piers and other places where there will be near constant exposure to water.

Polyester fiber has better UV resistance, lower stretch, and is less absorbent than nylon. Polypropylene Rope – Yellow twisted and hollow braided polypropylene serve as good, inexpensive temporary visual barrier, for example for crowd control on golf courses, marathons, or ski events.

Polypropylene rope has an advantage over most other ropes because it is available in quite a few colors.

Synthetic Netting – is often attached to chain link fence in applications such as baseball backstops and batting cages. The netting can be purchased with a green or black coating, which protects against sunlight and fits in better than the fibers’ natural white color.

1 3/4″ knotted nylon netting is popular as baseball barrier netting.

Netting for football has holes bigger than this size, but smaller than a football. Here is an industry link you may want to visit or bookmark: