Barrier rope in 32mm POSH, fittings in antique brass finish
Barrier ropes & Rope Railings
We make premium barrier ropes and decorative rope railings to measure, using top quality ropes and traditional sailmaker's whippings at each rope fitting end to ensure longevity.
Used to create a temporary or decorative rope barrier, 24mm or 32mm diameter ropes can be ordered in any length and are typically assembled with open hooks fitted on each end and matching eye plates supplied.
End hooks can be attached to eye plates for fixing on to a wall, or directly attached on to posts. We can also assemble barrier ropes using custom made wrought iron fittings and eye spliced ends (see below).
Barrier rope in POSH on decking.
Image: JWT, US.
Ropes for barriers
All our high grade four strand ropes are suitable for barrier ropes and these include the natural fibre ropes in hemp and white (unbleached) or black cotton. High spec spun polyester POSH ropes have UV protection, and are ideal for outdoor applications. We offer POSH in a beige (hemp alternative) and good quality three strand polyester ropes in several colours including navy and black.
Cotton wound with hemp for barrier ropes
A wound rope makes a distinctive two-tone room divider. These ropes are produced here using a traditional technique known as "worming".
The base rope is wound with a small diameter cord, usually of a contrasting material, such as cotton wound with hemp, as shown here.
It is worth noting the extra handling care required for a wound rope detailed on the ropes installation notes.
Barrier ropes look good with a slight droop or curve. If you give us the distance to be spanned, we can set the rope accordingly; a piece of string set across the gap will give a good idea of how a barrier rope will hang, and can be used as a measure to specify a drop that would suit.
White cotton barrier rope with black fittings
Rope end whippings
The strongest and most durable method possible for finishing a rope end to be fixed in a barrier fitting is the palm and needle whipping.
This will ensure a long life to the installation and avoid the inbuilt obsolescence of the more commonly employed heat seal method. We even see barrier ropes that have just been taped!
Below is a series of images illustrating the Sailor's Palm and Whipping method and showing the retaining screw that secures the fitting.
Using the sailmaker's palm
Pulling through
Finished whipping
Finished whipping, trimmed
Fitting showing pin
Whipped rope ready for fitting
Barrier rope fittings
Barrier rope fittings in antique brass finish
These solid brass fittings are suitable for 24mm and 32mm ropes and are available in various finishes: polished brass and antique brass, mirror or satin chrome, black and gunmetal.
Four screws and wall plugs are provided for each eye plate.
End caps (without hooks) may be used for decorative rope installations. A brass end cap is shown in the image below.
Barrier rope end cap in brass
End caps for barrier ropes are available for all our 24mm and 32mm diameter ropes and come fitted as above, using the secure sailmakers palm and needle whipping.
Barrier Ropes should not be used for support such as on a staircase. For a rope to bear weight, a knot or splice needs to be tied in at each end, using the strands of the same rope. Our Knots page shows examples of secure rope endings for stair and bannister ropes.
Barrier rope fittings - Prices
For 24mm ropes
- Open hook fitted - £33.00
- Eye plate (inc. plugs and screws) - £8.00
- End cap fitted - £30.00
For 32mm ropes
- Open hook fitted - £38.00
- Eye plate (inc. plugs and screws) - £8.00
- End cap fitted - £33.00
Complete Stair ropes price list on our order page
Barrier Rope installed at St. Michael's School, Berkshire.
image: A.B.
Custom made barrier rope fittings
Eye spliced barrier rope with custom made fittings
Custom made barrier rope fittings can provide solutions for decorative barrier rope projects requiring special installations.
We supplied a barrier rope with custom made wrought iron fittings to rope off the top of a stairway; it was designed to be strong enough to bear weight and still be removable.
The open hook wall fittings have a gun-metal finish. The POSH rope has an eyesplice decorated with a traditional sailor's Turks head whipping at each end.
Custom barrier rope with magnetic attachment.
A barrier rope in cotton fibre rope was commissioned with custom steel hardware, comprising an end hook fitted on one end and capped at the other with a strong magnetic attachment.
The design for this project was developed so that the rope could be attached to and easily removed from a sheet steel partition wall.
Contact Stair Ropes.com
For more advice or information about our bannister ropes and hand rails, you can contact James Watson directly. Full details on our contact page.
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