Bannister Ropes, Blog
Which Bannister Rope Is Perfect For Me? Updated 2024
Table of Contents
Which Bannister Rope Is Right For Me?
Bannister ropes have been used for decades in houses, churches, shops and offices. They add a lovely feature piece to any staircase creating a talking point whenever used. Here at RopeServices UK we hand make all of our bannister ropes to order, meaning that we can make them to any length with any number fittings. We offer customisers on our website so that you can pick almost any configuration you require.
How To Chose The Correct Rope?
A bannister rope should be for life so choosing the correct rope is important. We offer one of the largest ranges of ropes in various colours and diameters in the UK. We offer ropes for indoor and outdoor use. If you are unsure on which rope to purchase, please contact us and we will assist.
Natural Bannister Ropes
Natural Ropes are ideal to be used indoors as they will shrink, expand and rot if used outdoors.
Natural Jute Bannister Rope
Natural Jute stair rope is one of the most popular you can buy. Many people chose natural jute rope because it is the cheapest of the natural ropes you can currently buy. Even though it’s one of the cheapest ropes it is also one of the best rustic looking bannister ropes you can buy on the market today.
Natural Jute Rope
Diameters – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and 40mm
Colour – Natural (Dark)
Maximum Length – 24mm to 40mm – 220 Metres
Worming – This rope can not be wormed
Natural Hemp Stair Rope
Natural Hemp rope is one of the most recognisable ropes available. Adding an authentic look to any stair case bannister. Natural Hemp rope does carry a slight barn yard smell but this will fade over time.
Natural Hemp Rope
Diameters – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and 40mm
Colour – Natural (Dark)
Maximum Length – 24mm to 40mm – 220 Metres
Worming – This rope can not be wormed
Natural Cotton Staircase Rope
Natural Cotton rope is a soft to the touch rope, available in four different colours – Natural (cream), Optic White, Red and Black. Natural Cotton rope is suitable for worming.
Natural Cotton Rope
Diameters – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm and 36mm
Colours – Natural (Cream), Black, Red and Optic White
Maximum Length – 24mm to 36mm – 110 Metres
Worming – This rope can be wormed (What is Worming)
Synthetic Bannister Ropes
Synthetic Ropes can be used indoors and outdoors and are easy to clean. Synthetic ropes with not shrink, expand or rot when wet.
Grey Synthetic Bannister Rope
Grey Synthetic rope is one of the most modern looking ropes you can currently buy on the market. It is soft to the touch and can be used indoors or outdoors to add an extra modern look to any staircase.
Grey Synthetic Rope
Diameters – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and 40mm
Colours – Grey
Maximum Length – 24mm to 40mm – 220 Metres
Worming – This rope can be wormed (What is Worming)
Polyspun Stair Rope
Polyspun rope is a synthetic rope with a hairy texture, it can be used indoors and doors and comes in a range of colours. This rope can not be wormed.
Polyspun Rope
Diameters – 24mm and 32mm
Colours – Black, Burgundy, Red and Royal Blue
Maximum Length – 24mm to 32mm – 25 Metres
Worming – This rope can not be wormed
Softline Multifilament Bannister Rope
Softline Multifilament is a great rope to use as a staircase rope. It comes in five different colours Black, Navy Blue, Olive, Red and Royal Blue. This rope has a smooth, soft to the touch finish.
Softline Multifilament Rope
Diameters – 24mm
Colours – Black, Navy Blue, Olive, Red and Royal Blue
Maximum Length – 24mm – 220 Metres
Worming – This rope can not be wormed
Synthetic Polyhemp Bannister Rope
Synthetic Polyhemp rope is designed to look and feel natural with the benefits of a synthetic rope. Only the trained eye will be able to tell the difference between this rope and natural hemp rope. Unlike natural rope this rope will not shrink, expand or rot when wet making it great for indoors and outdoor use.
Synthetic Polyhemp Rope
Diameters – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and 40mm
Colours – Sandy (natural looking)
Maximum Length – 24mm – 40mm – 220 Metres
Worming – This rope can be wormed (What is Worming)
How To Choose The Correct Diameter Bannister Rope
Many people ask us what diameter is right for them. In most cases this comes down to personal preference. If you have a narrow staircase you may need a thinner rope to save on room. Our most popular diameters are 28mm and 32mm with 40mm also following closely behind.
24mm – 2.4cm – 0.94inches
28mm – 2.8cm – 1.10inches
32mm – 3.2cm – 1.25inches
36mm – 3.6cm – 1.41inches
40mm – 4.0cm – 1.57inches
How Do I Measure My Staircase?
Every Staircase is different, some are 10 foot some are 12 foot. Luckily we are able to offer you a bespoke service as all of our bannister ropes are handmade to order and can be made to any length with any number of fittings. All our bannister ropes are fully customisable and can be designed on our website with an instant price.
- Measure you stairs in a straight line
All of our bannister ropes are measured from where you wish the first bracket to be positioned to where you wish the to position the last bracket. The knots are never included in this measurement. Do not forget to allow spacing for the knots. (As a quick guide, the diameter of the knots is approximately 3 x diameter of the chosen rope size). If you require a drape in the rope please refer to – “Do I need a drape“.
My Staircase Has Corners
If your staircase has corners this isn’t a problem, you would need to add a few extra fittings. For a 90 degree corner we would recommend having a fitting 150mm away from each side of the corner allowing the rope to make the turn correctly.
How Many Fittings Do I Need?
RopeServices UK always recommend have a fitting behind each knot and unless requested we will also secure these fittings in place during the manufacturing process. We would then recommend have a fitting every 1 metre (3.30 foot) along your rope. You would need extra fittings if your staircase has corners.
Which fittings are right for me?
We offer fittings in six different finishes – Polished Brass, Polished Chrome, Copper Bronze, Gun Metal Black, Powder Coated Black and Satin Nickel.
Polished Brass – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm and 36mm
Polished Chrome – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and 40mm
Copper Bronze – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm and 36mm
Gun Metal Black – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, and 36mm
Powder Coated Black – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm and 36mm
Satin Nickel – 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm and 40mm
All fittings except 40mm are available in Standard and Low profile. The difference is the distance the the fitting sits off the wall. If your staircase is narrow then it would be more beneficial to use low profile fittings.
| Diameter | Standard Fitting | Low Profile Fitting |
|---|---|---|
| 24mm | 7.5cm | 6.5cm |
| 28mm | 8cm | 7cm |
| 32mm | 9cm | 8cm |
| 36mm | 10cm | 8.5cm |
| 40mm | 12.5cm | N/A |
How do I Secure My fittings in place?
The fittings behind each knot will come fixed in place by our manufacturing team, we will leave all other fitting loose so they can be fitted in the correct place up on installation. To fix the remaining fittings in place –
- Attach the fitting to the wall
- Use a 4mm screw driver though the centre hole of the fitting to create a pilot hole
- Make the pilot hole slightly bigger with a 5mm screw driver
- Push the screw into the pilot hole making sure it connects with the threads on the inside of the fitting
- Hand tighten with a screw driver
PLEASE DO NOT use a drill during any part of fitting the centre screw into place as this can catch a yarn in the rope. This will damage and misshape the rope.
What is Worming
Worming is when a smaller diameter rope is secured into the lay of the rope adding an elegant finish to any bannister. We offer a lager number of different types and colours for worming but not every rope can be wormed. Worming requires three lengths of rope to be worked into the lay of the strands. As three ropes are used we can mix and match colours to your preference. For example we could use Emerald Green, Yellow and Red to make a jester wormed bannister rope.
Worming Rope Types – Natural or Synthetic
Worming Colours – Natural, Beige, Black, Brown, Emerald Green, Fluorescent Yellow, Grey, Navy Blue, Olive, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Royal Blue, White, Yellow and Yellow With A Red Fleck.
Ropes Which Can Be Wormed – Natural Cotton Rope, Grey Synthetic Rope, Synthetic Polyhemp and Softline
Ropes Which Can Not Be Wormed – Natural Jute Rope, Natural Hemp Rope, Polyspun Rope, Natural Black Cotton, Natural Optic Cotton
What Rope Ends Do I Need?
Rope ends are required by building regulations as the knot and the splice stop the rope from giving way when under tension. We can offer three types of finishes on our bannisters – Man Rope Knots, Soft eye Splices or a mixture of both.
Man Rope Knots
Man rope knots are a knot which is tied at the end of the rope, each knot and is hand crafted by our highly trained rope splicers. Each knot takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, even longer if wormed. Man Rope Knots need to have a rope fitting fitted directly behind them, this is to stop any excess play should someone fall and grab the rope. A fitting will come already fixed into place with the centre brackets left loose. Once the bannister rope is complete these knots should not be undone as the knots will not fasten back the same way. This is why it is important that the correct number of fittings have been added to your bannister rope.
Knot Sizes
Approximate man rope knot sizes
| Diameter | mm | cm | inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24mm | 72mm | 7.20cm | 2.83 inches |
| 28mm | 84mm | 8.40cm | 3.30 inches |
| 32mm | 96mm | 9.60cm | 3.77 inches |
| 36mm | 108mm | 10.80cm | 4.25 inches |
| 40mm | 120mm | 12.00cm | 4.72 inches |
Spliced Soft Eyes
Spliced soft eye is when the rope is looped back on it self and spliced into the rope to form a secure connection, it is then finished by whipping the splice to give it an attractive finishing. Normally the whipping is finished in a natural rope but it can be finished in any of the following colours –
Whipping Rope Types – Natural or Synthetic
Whipping Colours – Natural, Beige, Black, Brown, Emerald Green, Fluorescent Yellow, Grey, Navy Blue, Olive, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Royal Blue, White, Yellow and Yellow With A Red Fleck.
A rope fitting will be secured into position at the top centre point of the eye when manufactured. Once the bannister rope is complete these soft eyes should not be undone as they will not fasten back the same way. This is why it is important that the correct number of fittings have been added to your bannister rope.
Man Rope Knots and Spliced Eyes
We can offer a service where we can do a man rope knot at one end and spliced soft eye at the other, giving you the benefits from both the above.
Do I Need A Drape?
A drape is the sag that is made by the rope in-between each fitting. It is down to personal preference whether you have a drape or not. All rope will sag over time ending up with a little drape once it has relaxed and acclimatise. For a slight drape we recommend adding 5% for a large drape add 10% to the overall length of your bannister rope. We have provided a drape calculator below.
Add 5% To Your Overall Length
Do I Need Wooden Mounts?
Wooden mounts are advised to be used to connect your bannister rope to the wall. They are made from a none specific hardwood and come pre drilled to suit a no 10 countersunk screw. We would recommend using wooden mounts on plasterboard walls.
Installing A Bannister Rope
It is important that your bannister rope is securely fixed to the wall – please be sure to know the type of wall it is being attached too.
Placement Of The Rope
Hold the rope in position and mark where the fixings are to be attached (wooden mounts / handrail brackets). Bear in mind that the natural drape of the rope will show over the first to second month after installation.
Attaching Handrail Bracket Mounts
RopeServices UK recommend that hardwood mounts are used with each bracket and can be supplied by us with your rope.
Our mounts are pre drilled to suit a no 10 countersunk screw but if larger screws are to be used you must re-drill the holes to stop the wood from splitting.
Please make sure that you use the correct length of screw to suit the job – it is recommended that a 2 1/2 inch (60mm) screw is generally sufficient but you must make sure that it has penetrated well beyond the plaster and into solid bricks or stones.
Align the holes in the mount to run in line with the rope this will enable the bracket screws to avoid the steel screws when fixing.
if drilling through dry lined or plaster boarded walls, it is recommend that extra precaution is taken because of the gaps behind the boards, some sort of infill or reinforcement may be required.
Before fixing the mounts into position, you can stain, seal, polish or paint them or they can be left in their natural state.
Attaching Handrail Brackets To The Mounts
Use the screws provided (4 per bracket)
If fixing brackets directly to walls without the mounts, suitable screws will be needed as the screws supplied are only suitable for the mount attachments.
Before screwing into position, make sure the steel screw heads are covered and the brackets holes avoid them. From pilot holes in the mounts with a fine drill to avoid splitting the timber.
Securing Rope Into Brackets
When securing the brackets onto the rope at your chosen spaces, it is advisable to make a pilot hole through the rope with a tapered ended toll such as a Pozi / Phillips screwdriver, this will enable the screw to drive straighter to the bracket shaft. A small amount of manoeuvring should be expected.
If you are unsure about any aspect of attaching the mounts and brackets, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from a competent joiner or builder.
Building regulations
All bannister rope leave our factory complying with building regulations. Should the brackets be moved from behind the knots this would be against building regulations. We accept no liability for how bannister rope are fitted/installed and the moving of any brackets after leaving our factory.
I have a door frame at the top of our steep stairs and a solid wall at the bottom (there is a two step turn at the foot of the stairs. Could I fit the rope into a cup mount instead of using a knot or loop?
Hi,
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, using a cup mount instead of a knot would not comply with building regulations. The knots serve an important safety purpose—if someone were to fall, the knots help prevent the rope from slipping through the handrail brackets. A cup mount wouldn’t provide this same level of security, as there would be nothing to prevent the rope from pulling through in the event of a fall.
Best regards,
RopeServices UK
Do you ship to the USA?
Hi, Yes we ship worldwide. USA shipping is already available at checkout. Regards RopeServices UK
Hi all,
We would like a rope bannister on the outside steps up to our front door?
I have a few questions.
How do you choose the diameter of the rope?
We live over looking a beach and the westerly wind hits straight on to the Steps and door, which would be the best rope to use as all our outside pieces (eg: door knocker, lights etc) get ruined by the salt air.
Hope to hear from you soon.
ATB
Hi, Thank you for your comment. If the rope is to be used outdoors we would recommend using a synthetic rope. Synthetic Polyhemp is probably best for this location. If it gets dirty it can be washed down and it will return to new. Our most popular diameters are 28mm and 32mm these can be selected on all bannister rope configurators if available. Regards RopeServices UK
Hi, if I were to order a bannister rope (probably 2.5 or 3m, but I have yet to measure exactly because my property is located overseas), how long would it take to deliver the finished product to my U.K. address?
Hi, Thank you for your message. Currently you would be looking at 4-5 working days for delivery. We do offer a next day services which can be selected at checkout. Regards RopeServices UK
Good morning,
I need someone to measure and fit my staircase rope. Do you do that ?
Hi, Thank you for your message. Sorry this isn’t a services we offer, a local handyman or joiner may be able to help. Regards RopeServices UK
Hi
How much will it be for
5 metres of the tan colour 32 mm with 4 brushed steel ring fitting please,
Hi, Thank you for your message.
32mm Natural Jute Bannister Rope x 5 Metres Comes With Man Rope Knots & 4 Satin Nickel Fittings – £160.35 (Price is valid for 30 days)
For a bannister rope of this length we would recommend 6 fittings.
You can view our Jute bannister rope at – https://www.ropeservicesuk.com/product/natural-jute-decking-rope-with-man-rope-knot-one-end/
Regards
RopeServices UK
Hi which rope is the best to use for an ornate garden post & rope system please the posts will be 800mm high, also how do you stop the ends from fraying please
Hi, Thank you for your question. I think one of our wormed bannister ropes would look great in an ornate garden. Our bannister ropes are finished so that the ends wont fray. Any bannister rope not finished with a Man Rope Knot or Spliced Eyes can not be classed as a bannister rope as they will no comply with building regulations. As this is for a garden I would recommend a synthetic rope as it will not shrink, expand or rot like a natural ropes. Regards RopeServices UK
Hi
I AM HOPING TO USE ROPE BANISTER ON OUTSIDE WALL,ARE YOUR INDOOR FITTINGS SUITABLE FOR OUTDOOR USE?
MANY THANKS
SUSAN SANDWITH.
Hi, Thank you for your message. All our fittings are designed to be indoors and outdoors, they are made from solid brass and will never rust. Regards RopeServices UK
Hi I would like a rope bannister in a 300 year old house I am about to move in to.
It has no bannister at the moment the walls are plastered but apparently there are 8 turns in the stairs according to the carpet fitter!
How do I measure that!
Hi, Thank you for your message. You would need to measure from turn to turn then add it all together. You could send us some photos and a diagram to [email protected] and we will be able to help you. Regards RopeServices UK
There is much useful information on this site: thank you.
I need synthetic white cotton rope 3.5m long (to allow for drape) and 24mm in diameter to replace existing. So I don’t need knots or loops at the end or any intermediate support fittings.
Please quote price to include delivery to Wiltshire U.K.
Hi, Thank you for your message, please see synthetic white cotton rope sold by the metre https://www.ropeservicesuk.com/product/24mm-synthetic-white-cotton-rope-by-the-metre/ Regards, RopeServices UK
Hello please can youadvise as to how big the wooden mounting blocks should be when fixing to an ancient random rubble stone wall with lime plaster over it and whetheryou advise cutting back the plaster to fix the wood directly to the wall
Hi, Thank you for your comment. It’s is down to personal preference whether you cut back the plaster or not. On this type of wall you would need to have an anchor screw of at least 2 1/2 inches with a size 10 screw. If you need to use a bigger screw the mounts would need pre-drilled before fitting. Regards RopeServices UK
I am thinking of a bannister rope in the house I am buying. I would get a professional to fit it. The problem it would be the only bannister / handrail, would this be enough do you think?
Hi, Thank you for your message. All our bannister ropes are covered under the building regulations so it will be perfectly fine to have just a bannister rope. Regards, RopeServices UK
Hello, I am thinking of having a bannister rope fitted in my old cottage which has a steep small staircase. There are 6 steps and the wall measurement is 6ft (182 cms). The staircase is narrow so I assume I would need a thinnish natural jute rope. Please could you tell me if this is possible and approximate cost. Also is the bannister rope fairly easy to instal?!
Many thanks.
Pamela Milne
Hi Thank you for your message, all our bannister ropes are handmade to order and can be made to any length with any number of fittings. The smallest size Natural Jute comes in is 24mm. 24mm Natural Jute Bannister Rope x 1.82m with 3 fittings – £85.71 (valid for 30 days from date of this message). This length does take into account a drape. If you would like a drape you would need to add 5% to your length. If you need any more help please call our sales department on 0191 5842709 Regards RopeServices UK