Netting falls into two main construction types — knotted and knotless — and the difference goes well beyond appearance. How a net is made affects its strength, how it behaves under load, how safe it is to work near, and how long it lasts. Here's what separates the two, and which one is right for different applications.
What is Knotted Netting?
Knotted netting is made by tying a knot at every point where two strands of twine cross, creating a grid of secured intersections. The twine itself is either twisted or braided before being fed into a netting machine, where each mesh is knotted individually — traditionally into a diamond pattern.
The knot is what holds the mesh open and keeps its shape. It's a well-established manufacturing method, which typically keeps knotted netting more cost-effective (when referring to larger mesh sizes) than knotless equivalents.
Typical characteristics:
•Visible, raised knots at every mesh intersection
•Diamond-shaped mesh as standard
•Good abrasion resistance, as the knot itself absorbs a lot of the wear
•Can often be repaired on-site by re-tying damaged sections
•Widely used in polyethylene and nylon netting for bird control, cricket and golf perimeters, and general containment
What is Knotless Netting?
Knotless netting is produced by weaving or knitting continuous fibres together, so the intersections are locked in place through the weave itself rather than a tied knot. There's no raised knot at any junction — just a smooth, continuous surface.
Typical characteristics:
•Smooth, uniform surface with no raised knots
•More consistent mesh spacing, since weaving is more precise than hand- or machine-tying
•Reduced abrasion risk to whatever the net comes into contact with — fish, skin, delicate cargo
•No knots to work loose, tighten permanently under load, or create localised weak points
•Usually a higher-tenacity, more consistent product, which is reflected in a higher price point
Knotted vs Knotless: Key Differences at a Glance
| Knotted | Knotless | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Twine tied at each intersection | Continuously woven/knitted |
| Surface | Raised knots, rougher texture | Smooth, uniform |
| Mesh consistency | Can vary slightly | Highly uniform |
| Abrasion on contents | Higher (knots can cause rubbing/marking) | Lower — gentler on fish, skin, cargo |
| Repair | Easy to re-tie on-site | Requires patching with matched material |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher |
A note on strength: you'll find conflicting claims online about which type is "stronger," and the honest answer is that it depends on the application and how the netting is engineered. Older comparisons often favour knotted netting, since the knot reinforces each intersection. But modern high-tenacity knitted knotless constructions — the type used in BS EN 1263-1 safety netting, for example — are specifically engineered so the knotless weave is no less strong than an equivalent knotted connection, while removing the drawbacks knots bring under impact.
Which Type is Used for Safety Netting?
This is where the distinction really matters for compliance. Under BS EN 1263-1, fall arrest safety nets can be manufactured as either knotted or knotless, with a square or diamond mesh. However, official working-at-height guidance highlights an important safety difference: when a knotted net absorbs an impact, the knots near the point of impact tighten permanently, which reduces the net's ability to absorb further impacts. Knotless nets don't have this problem, and a person falling into a knotless net is less likely to sustain facial injuries from the mesh. For this reason, knotless, square-mesh construction is the generally recommended configuration for 'System S' horizontal safety nets.
Which Type is Used in Aquaculture?
In fish farming and commercial fishing, knotless netting is generally preferred wherever fish welfare is a priority. The smooth surface reduces scale damage, abrasion and stress on fish during containment or capture, compared to the rougher surface of a knotted net. Knotted nets remain common and durable in rougher, higher-wear conditions such as seine and trawl work, where their resistance to abrasion from repeated handling is an advantage.
Which Type is Used for Cargo, Bird Control and Sports Netting?
•Cargo & transport netting: Knotless polypropylene and nylon constructions are common where a smooth, snag-free surface helps protect the load being contained.
•Bird control netting: Both types are used; knotted polyethylene is common for cost-effective, heavy-duty deterrent netting, while knotless UHMWPE/HDPE options offer a lower-visibility, smoother finish.
•Sports netting: Knotted netting is often chosen for high-impact applications like batting cages, where the knots help absorb repeated abrasive contact. Knotless netting is more common in golf and indoor applications, where a smoother, more consistent surface is preferred.
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