Ropes have been used since the beginning time for different kinds of activities from sailing boats to building houses. They are an essential part of a household and everybody needs to use it every one in a while.  

A rope or cord is a length of thick strong strands made by winding together cords of different materials such as sisal, hemp, nylon or similar material. Over time human beings have come up with different ways to make ropes hence different types of ropes: we are going to look at the ten kinds divided into type, construction process and material used and their uses: 

  1. Natural cord- as the name suggests it is made up of non-synthetic materials such as grass, sisal, papyrus reed, cotton or some other natural threads. This kind of cord is made by intertwining the strands of the material like grass together in a form of knitting pattern. A lot of people usually use for home decorations and playing swings. Some of its pros are: it’s eco-friendly, heat impervious and does not slip easily. Its cons are it contracts after coming into contact with water. 
  1. Synthetic cord- it is made up of manmade materials like polyester, nylon and similar materials. It is usually made by binding together the synthetic materials through elements like fire and chemical reactions. It is used for elevating things and pulling stuff. Its pros are it is very flexible and resilience. Its cons are is non-biodegradable. 
  1. Plaited cord- it is usually made by intertwining rope materials together. It is used for: anchorage and towing. Its advantages are: its flexible, easy to use and it does not twist easily. Its disadvantages are wear and tear which means visible strands can be easily destroyed. 
  1. Single- braid cord- it is made by braiding three separate cord to form a single cord. It is usually made for heavy lifting and high pressure pulling. Its pros are durability since it is less prone to friction. 
  1. Twin braid cord- it is made by using a braided main cord that is then attached to a single cord.it is mostly for marine use to anchor boats. Its pros are; it does not twist easily and it endures friction. 
  1. Twisted cord-it is made by coiling up multiple strands of cords together. It is used for pulling objects and marina lines. Its pros are it is very stiff and can endure strenuous pressure.it can also be interwoven to obtain single strands. This action though causes the cord to weaken hence reduced durability. 
  1. Hollow cord- it is made by coiling up multiple strand of cords and leaving a vacant middle. The purpose of the vacant center is to allow the user to divide the cord easily.  It is used for ski drags and anchor outlines.  It is very water resistant making it very durable. 
  1. Manila cord- it is made from all natural hemp fibers that come from Manila, Philippines. It is largely used for landscaping and beautifications because it is very beautiful. Its pros are it is soft and does not damage your skin and it is affordable. Its cons are it reduces in size after getting into contact with water and it is prone to wear and tear. 
  1. Pro-manila cord- it is an unnatural alternative to the manila cord. It is used for same purposes as the manila cord because it is also as beautiful as the natural alternative. Its pros are: it is not affected by water hence it does not shrink and it is more durable. Its cons are it is non-biodegradable. 
  1. Nylon cord- it is made by binding the compound nylon. It can be used for basically anything from lightweight loads to heavy lifting or pulling. Its pros are high resistance and an even surface. Its cons are it is non-biodegradable. 

We cannot exhaust the kinds of ropes that are available in the market but those listed are the most common types out there and they can serve you in a million different ways. 

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