My small village outside of New York has begun taking down the tennis nets during the winter months. When I inquired about the new policy (they used to just leave them up all year around, back when the courts were in generally worse shape), I was given a number of reasons for this, one of which was that the nets would be damaged by snow and sleet, etc. Is this true? If so, are there specific all weather nets that could be put in place? What is the cost difference? Are they worse in quality somehow? A quick google check did not give me any answers. I'd like to go back to the powers that be with concrete information on this particular topic, but right now I know nothing. I do know I see other communities in the area that leave their nets up all year.
Tell me about nets!
- Thread starter heycal
- Start date
I volunteer at our local club and help put away the nets and wind screens every year. We leave one net on a hard court through the winter for the warm weeks that pop up once in a while. For a while that net looked as good as the ones we stored, but with a few years outside all year, the cords look more frayed and the vinyl is splitting and cracking more. Still works.
Basically the stuff you leave out is just going to wear out faster. How fast I can't say.
Basically the stuff you leave out is just going to wear out faster. How fast I can't say.
Thanks, Robert. This is helpful information. So you're saying you don't even notice any difference in the net you leave out until it's been through a few winters? Are you in the northeast as well? Are the nets your club uses some special kind, and/or do they even make special nets for all season wear?
The sense I get from my village is that if I come to them with specific information that demonstrates leaving a net out all year around won't result in major extra spending or other problems, they might say "Ok. We'll leave up one or two."
The sense I get from my village is that if I come to them with specific information that demonstrates leaving a net out all year around won't result in major extra spending or other problems, they might say "Ok. We'll leave up one or two."
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
A crappy, worn-out net does not make tennis any less fun.
I live outside of Chicago. Nets are not any special kind.
Unfortunately, I don't have any stats or data to say how costs can be saved.
Not sure if it to save costs or out of convention, but almost everyone puts there nets and windscreens away after the summer/early fall.
The hard part might be how hard the winters are. If you have a couple light winters, the nets might not fall apart that much. But on the other hand, if you have some bad winters, they might wear out faster.
Unfortunately, I don't have any stats or data to say how costs can be saved.
Not sure if it to save costs or out of convention, but almost everyone puts there nets and windscreens away after the summer/early fall.
The hard part might be how hard the winters are. If you have a couple light winters, the nets might not fall apart that much. But on the other hand, if you have some bad winters, they might wear out faster.
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
I agree with the Powers That Be. Cold and dry is not the issue. Wet is not an issue. Icy is the issue. The net cord is not going to suffer from ice. The fibers that make up the net and windscreens will. Water gets between the smaller strands and freeze there. This weakens the nylon there and they will break/fray there. Wind and icy conditions does the same thing, only faster. A windscreen covered with ice can also damage the fence to which it is mounted.
So no special nets, Robert? Good to know. But did I imagine they make "all weather nets"?
Esgee, I find it easy to believe the nets wear down faster from winter exposure. But unless you're saying something like "a net you put away every winter will last ten years. One you leave out all winter will be ruined in two months", why would you agree with the powers that be who want to put away the nets? There are many days in the Northeast between Dec and March when it's fine weather for tennis. (Playing in 49 degrees in February can be a lot more pleasant than playing in 85 degrees in August.) And it seems to me the point of having tennis courts is so that people can actually use them, no?
I do know that there are communities in my area that leave the nets up all winter, so either they are reckless fools or doing something my community should be doing. I'm betting the latter. I plan to visit those courts to inspect the nets and/or call them for more info on their policy.
Esgee, I find it easy to believe the nets wear down faster from winter exposure. But unless you're saying something like "a net you put away every winter will last ten years. One you leave out all winter will be ruined in two months", why would you agree with the powers that be who want to put away the nets? There are many days in the Northeast between Dec and March when it's fine weather for tennis. (Playing in 49 degrees in February can be a lot more pleasant than playing in 85 degrees in August.) And it seems to me the point of having tennis courts is so that people can actually use them, no?
I do know that there are communities in my area that leave the nets up all winter, so either they are reckless fools or doing something my community should be doing. I'm betting the latter. I plan to visit those courts to inspect the nets and/or call them for more info on their policy.
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
I am saying that water expands when it becomes ice. Water between strands will start to cut into the nylon when it becomes ice. Whether this is a problem for overall longevity, I can't really say. It will depend on replacement policy. I know that nylon will get nicks from ice. The other side of the coin is that UV will also degrade nylon. It is non existent during the Winter, but where/when the Sun comes out, UV A and UV B are there. If you budget for new nets every 5-6 years, then it does not make a difference. If you budget for new nets every 10 years, then it would make a difference.
I don't know what the village budgets for such things. But I suspect if I can reasonably say to them "Take a net inside for the winter and it will probably last 10 years. Leave a net out during winters and it will probably last 5 years" they might be willing to leave up one of their four nets. Robert seems to suggest that while the nets degrade faster, it's not a dramatic process that happens quickly, and ultimately should not be a huge cost difference, is that correct, Robert? Anyone know what a net costs by the way?
Unfortunately, I'm not certain of the long term budgeting effects.
Windowshopping on the internet looks like nets cost $125-220 based on quality.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure how quickly a net degrades when left out doors. If you half the life of a net, by keeping it outdoors, seems like $150 is not that big of a deal.
Windowshopping on the internet looks like nets cost $125-220 based on quality.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure how quickly a net degrades when left out doors. If you half the life of a net, by keeping it outdoors, seems like $150 is not that big of a deal.
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
stop gap solution...
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heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Awesome!!! Is that your handy work? If so how is hitting over it?stop gap solution...
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D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
yeah.
this is a 100' clothing line (ie. for drying clothes), that i cut in half. this is one half of it.
normally i use it to split the court for half court isolation games (ie. bh to bh only point play)
it was 60F today... and most courts had taken down their nets... where they were left up there was a line of folks with the same idea.
so we went to these abandoned courts.
ironically i was fine without the string, but my buddy was the one that really wanted some sort of visual reference (and he's the much better player).
worked out great. as previous times i've played on a court with no net, our depth improved since the main target became the opposite player on the baseline,
and we hit ALOT more balls since most of the rallies were continuous (20+ or more), and we never had to stop to fetch balls that hit the net.
i had to stop a few times to take a break
i wish i used the sony sensor... i wouldn't be surprised if i hit >700 in the hour that we played.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
That's a good plus actually. I have to give this a try. I might have some 3/8" rope, wonder if that's too thick.and we never had to stop to fetch balls that hit the net.
Did it hold up to let serves?
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
no serving. we just drilled groundies.
i think serving would be too difficult to tell if it went above/below the rope.
even groundstroke games are challenging... unless you modify the rule - ie. all balls must land past the service line or it's out.
IMO baseline rallies focusing on depth are the best use of time on courts with no nets.
it was fine when the ball hit the rope.
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
3/8" rope would probably work... but i think it's too bulky to be carrying 50' of it. thin 100' (or 2x 50') clothesline rope is good for makeshift netting, half court marker, and it fits in the utility pocket of most bags.
SavvyStringer
Professional
They're all essentially 'all weather' over time, the nets will wear. Part of it is weather, part is just usage. With the college teams we have to replace them every couple of years.
Maximus XXIV
Rookie
Buy them a winter net for the cost of a racquet. Nets are relatively cheap.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Nice modification on the clothesline
D
Deleted member 23235
Guest
yeah, that's a good idea.. if were there, i might also try using the big tree leaves in the background, just need to figure out a way to lash them (string? paper clips? vine? etc...) IMO the net doesn't need to be perfect height... actually practicing on higher nets would be ideal. i've considered carrying around collapsible practice poles to simulate a raised net, like 3-4ft higher, just for drilling.
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