How to test the elasticity of your shock cord in the field
Shock cords are hugely valuable assets, performing a variety of useful roles across multiple key sectors – many of which ...
Read full articleHere at Ibex Marina Ropes, we are proud to have a long history of supplying a range of sash cords built for trade environments, restoration projects, commercial use, and theatre fit-outs. Every line of ours is designed to meet a specific need – whether that means traditional appearance, synthetic resilience, or specialist flame treatment. Our team designs and supplies these ropes for teams who rely on repeat performance, accurate sizing, and tough handling day after day.
Obviously, fitters, restorers, set builders and tradespeople all work with sash systems in different ways. Some use waxed cotton in listed buildings where visual authenticity matters. Others handle synthetic ropes on fast-paced jobs with pressure to hit tight timescales. Production crews use fire-rated cordage for indoor sets with lighting rigs and heat sources. We have a strong track record of serving all these sectors here at Ibex Marina Ropes, enabling our clients to specify exactly what suits their environment – with proper control over plait count, fibre, and finish.
So, if you need a quick introduction to our sash cords, here is what you need to know.
We manufacture sash cords in waxed cotton, polished cotton, nylon, polyester, polypropylene and jute. Each fibre serves a specific purpose – our cotton lines offer traditional look and smooth pulley performance in sash window restoration and bespoke timber joinery. The “C-Quality” waxed version has a tough polycore inside for strength and controlled stretch, while the polished cotton lines bring the familiar glide and grip of solid braid structure.
Nylon and polyester give rope fitters more scope on jobs where stretch tolerance or heavy load handling matters. Our nylon 8-plait works well for general use across housing maintenance, commercial installs, and theatrical support rigging. The solid braided nylon version adds tighter abrasion resistance and a denser construction for high movement setups. Polyester on the other hand adds UV and chemical resistance on exposed installations, and we have built both 8-plait and solid braid options for that spec. Our jute lines serve demand from horticulture and the events industry, with options in natural and flame-retardant finish. These go out to stage builders, garden installers, and set departments looking for tactile feel and safe fibre properties.
At Ibex Marina Ropes, our team controls the braiding process for every product line – maintaining structure, balance and shape across each batch. The cotton cords hold a reliable round cross section and keep form across extended use. The wax treatment on the C-Quality range runs smooth across rollers, while the polished cotton holds surface clarity for neat movement and clean cut ends.
Synthetic ranges follow the same rule – solid braid provides a tight structure with firm hold and reliable geometry. The 8-plait ropes provide a softer feel and flex tolerance, while retaining internal strength. Our team monitors this during production to produce a balanced weave and stable performance under load. We also finish all reels to clearly marked diameters, giving joiners and installers the correct fit for common pulley sizes. Fitters can move also straight into the install, with peace of mind in known rope behaviour and full control over alignment.
We supply waxed cotton for customers who need a low-stretch, stable rope for traditional timber frames. The polycore strengthens the cotton body and allows smoother lift across weight-bearing window sections. The solid braid format resists wear and holds its shape during tie-off and repeat motion. These cords suit heritage works, restoration projects and bespoke joinery that depend on consistent pulley travel.
The synthetic ranges offer higher stretch tolerance and strong recovery under load. Nylon adds impact absorption and flex, which suits site teams dealing with movement, shifting weight or pulleys under tension. Polyester lines give extra grip on external frames and help maintain rope form in exposed environments. These constructions provide tough handling, strong hold under stress, and long-term structure on projects with higher force and wider fibre strain.
We prepare all sash cords in standard reels, with clearly cut diameters and fibre counts across the range. If you need fixed space, set batch lengths or tailored cut needs, we supply bespoke options on request. Our team handles sizing, packaging and order fulfilment in-house to meet trade schedules and project plans.
We also provide flame treatment, colour selection and reel finish setup where needed. Film crews request black jute in pre-cut bundles. Fitters working on listed buildings ask for traditional cotton lines in fixed site-ready sets. Events teams call in matched lengths for rig builds. Whatever the nature of your application, we process every request through direct team contact, so we can always supply what your job needs.
These are all the core points covered – should you need any specific advice or any more detail on our sash cords or shock cords, our team is here to help at Ibex Marina Ropes. We have a long history of serving a diverse range of sectors across the UK and beyond, including aerospace, military and defence, subsea and offshore, and sport and leisure – just to name a few. To speak to one of our team for help and advice, or to make an enquiry, call us today on +44 (0)1706 360 363. We are here to help!
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