Wind Rope
Price range: $19.00 through $111.00
1/4″ Polyester Rope
| Weight | N/A |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | N/A |
| Spool Length | 125′, 250′, 500′, 1000′ |
Wind rope restrains roll-up sidewall curtains against the greenhouse frame so wind cannot get behind the curtain and billow it. Without it, a roll-up side in a strong wind lifts away from the frame, the roll-bar swings, and the curtain flogs itself against the structure until the film tears or the roll-bar bends.
Installed as opposing diagonals in an X pattern between eyebolts spaced approximately 4′ apart, the ropes hold the curtain flat through the full range of travel — closed, partially rolled, or fully open.
The rope serves a second function. Bottom eyebolts are set to leave a 3/4″ gap between the lip of the Roll-Lock and the rope, so that as the curtain drops the ropes deflect the roll-bar inward and guide it under the Roll-Lock rather than letting it hang up on the outside. The rope steers the roll-bar as much as it restrains the curtain.
1/4″ knitted polyester cord, supplied on spools of 125′, 250′, 500′ or 1000′.
Why polyester
Polyester holds up to the two things that destroy rope on a greenhouse: sunlight and tension.
- UV stable. Retains strength under continuous sun exposure far longer than polypropylene, which chalks and fails.
- Low stretch. Polyester elongates very little under load, so ropes stay tight through the season. Nylon stretches and requires re-tensioning.
- Will not rot. Unaffected by the constant wetting and drying cycle of a greenhouse sidewall.
- Soft on film. A knitted cord bears on the poly without the cutting and abrasion of wire rope or cable, and there is nothing to rust and stain the film.
The X pattern
Wind ropes are installed as two separate ropes, each running its own set of diagonals, crossing to form the X.
How much wind rope do I need?
Rope quantity depends on sidewall height and the length of wall being covered. Each 4′ bay carries two diagonal runs — one from each rope — and each diagonal is longer than the wall is tall, because it runs on the angle.
Approximate rope required per linear foot of sidewall:
| Curtain height | Rope per linear foot of wall | 250′ spool covers | 1000′ spool covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3′ | ~2.5 ft | ~100 linear ft | ~400 linear ft |
| 4′ | ~2.8 ft | ~89 linear ft | ~356 linear ft |
| 5′ | ~3.2 ft | ~78 linear ft | ~313 linear ft |
| 6′ | ~3.6 ft | ~69 linear ft | ~278 linear ft |
| 8′ | ~4.5 ft | ~56 linear ft | ~222 linear ft |
Figures cover both ropes of the X pattern on 4′ eyebolt spacing and do not include tie-off allowance at the ends. Add 10% for tie-offs, knots and waste, and remember to multiply by the number of sidewalls you are outfitting — most houses have two.
Worked example. A 100′ house with 4′ roll-up sides on both walls: 100 ft × 2.8 ft/ft = 280 ft per wall, × 2 walls = 560 ft, +10% = roughly 620 ft. Order a 500′ spool plus a 250′, or a 1000′ spool with rope left for repairs.
Keeping spare rope on hand is worth doing regardless.
Specifications
| Diameter | 1/4″ |
| Material | Polyester |
| Construction | Knitted cord |
| Spool lengths | 125′, 250′, 500′, 1000′ |
| Application | Roll-up sidewall wind restraint and roll-bar guidance |
Installation summary
Full instructions are in the Wind Rope System installation guide, linked below.
- Upper attachment. Install upper restraint hooks approximately every 4′ along the top — typically 4″ eyebolts with double nuts through the double wirelock, or at the gutter lip depending on the structure. If you ordered a complete curtain system with our single or double Wirelock top clasp, RHAlum aluminum rope hooks are included and snap directly into the wirelock base. Our double Wirelock base accepts RHAlum in the bottom channel.
- Lower attachment. Install 6″ eyebolts every 4′ into the baseboard, positioned at least 4″ below the lip of the Roll-Lock.
- Set the 3/4″ gap. Position the bottom eyebolts so there is a 3/4″ gap between the Roll-Lock lip and the rope. This is what lets the ropes deflect the roll-bar in under the Roll-Lock as the curtain drops.
- Confirm clearance. The roll-bar must not rest on the eyebolts when the curtain is fully extended down.
- Run two ropes in an X. Attach as two separate ropes forming opposing diagonals, so a single failure does not leave the curtain unrestrained.
Fasten with two #12 × 1″ Tek screws in each bow (#12 × 3/4″ where RHAlum hooks are used near the bows).
Related hardware
Wind rope is one component of a working restraint system. Depending on your structure you may also need:
- Eyebolts — 4″ for the top, 6″ for the baseboard; 8″ eyescrews for freestanding houses, 6″ for gutter-connected
- RHAlum EZ Snap-in rope hooks — snap into our wirelock base, no drilling
- Wirelock and double Wirelock — top clasp systems that accept RHAlum hooks directly
- RBBD roll-bar deflector — for existing roll-up systems that do not lock down, deflects the roll-bar over the 2× baseboard
- POSI-Clasp roll-bar cap — 8′ or 12′ lengths, continuous clasping action, substantially improves the rolling action of existing roll-ups
- Roll-pipe hangers — installation aids for straight-line mounting of 1.315″ roll-pipe off the top of 2× baseboards
Retrofitting wind ropes to an existing roll-up that was never set up for them? Call us — the RBBD and POSI-Clasp exist specifically for that situation.
Installation InstructionsWhat does wind rope actually do?
It holds a roll-up sidewall curtain flat against the frame so wind cannot get behind it and billow the curtain. It also guides the roll-bar in under the Roll-Lock as the curtain lowers.
Why does it need to be two ropes?
Redundancy. Installed as two separate ropes forming an X, a single rope failure still leaves the curtain restrained by the second rope while you repair the first. One rope is a single point of failure on the component that protects your crop in a storm.
How far apart do the eyebolts go?
Approximately 4′ apart, top and bottom.
What is the 3/4" gap for?
It lets the ropes push the roll-bar inward so it tucks under the Roll-Lock as the curtain drops, rather than catching on the outside of the lip.
How much rope do I need?
Multiply sidewall length by roughly 2.8 ft per foot for a 4′ curtain, 3.2 for 5′, 3.6 for 6′. Double it for two sidewalls and add 10%. See the table above, or call us with your dimensions.
Can I use wire or cable instead?
Wire rope rusts, stains the film, and abrades or cuts poly under repeated movement. Polyester cord bears on the film without cutting it and does not corrode.
Can I retrofit wind ropes to an existing roll-up?
Usually yes. If your roll-up does not lock down, our RBBD roll-bar deflector addresses that. Call us with a description or a photo of your setup.
Do the eyebolts and hooks come with the rope?
No. Wind rope is sold by the spool. Eyebolts and RHAlum hooks are separate — though RHAlum hooks are included when you order a complete curtain system with our Wirelock top clasp.
How long will it last?
Polyester is UV stable and low stretch, so it holds up well in continuous sun. Inspect annually at the attachment points, which is where chafe shows up first, and keep spare rope on hand.
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