Feelnets

Winterizing Outdoor Nets: How to Store, Clean and Protect Them Until Spring

Why winter is the real test for an outdoor net

A well-made outdoor net handles summer sun, rain and daily use without complaint. Winter is different. Months of standing water, freeze–thaw cycles, wet leaves and low light give dirt and algae time to settle into the mesh.

The good news: twenty minutes of care in autumn adds seasons to the life of your net. Whether it stretches over a patio, a deck, a pool terrace or a lakeside dock, the routine is the same. Clean it, dry it fully, store it properly and check the fixings before spring.

This guide walks you through each step, and helps you decide whether your net should come down at all.

Should you take your outdoor net down for winter?

In most climates with real winters, yes. Taking the net down is the simplest way to protect both the mesh and the structure it hangs from. It also lets you clean it properly.

Take it down if:

• Your area gets snow. Snow load on a horizontal net puts heavy, prolonged strain on the mesh, the edge rope and every anchor point.
• The net sits under trees and collects leaves, pine needles or sap.
• The structure is wooden and needs its own seasonal maintenance.
• The site is unused for several months, such as a holiday home or a seasonal cottage.

You can leave it up if:

• Your winters are mild and dry, with no snow and little frost.
• The net is used year-round, for example on a covered terrace or in a warm climate.
• You can inspect it regularly and brush off debris after storms.

If you are unsure, take it down. Removing and refitting a net with good mounting hardware takes far less time than replacing a damaged one.

How to clean an outdoor net before storing it

Never store a dirty net. Organic matter left in the mesh over winter feeds mould and leaves stains that are hard to shift by spring.

1. Choose a dry, mild day. You need several hours of dry weather after washing, so check the forecast first.
2. Brush off loose debris. Remove leaves, needles and dust with a soft broom while the net is still tensioned. This is far easier than picking debris out of a slack net.
3. Wash with mild soapy water. Use lukewarm water and a gentle detergent or neutral soap. Work it into the mesh with a soft brush or sponge.
4. Treat stains gently. For green algae or bird droppings, repeat the soapy wash and let it sit for a few minutes before brushing.
5. Rinse thoroughly. A garden hose on a low setting is enough. Soap residue attracts dirt, so rinse until the water runs clear.

What to avoid:

• Pressure washers. A high-pressure jet can fray fibres and loosen knots or braiding.
• Bleach and harsh solvents. They weaken synthetic fibres and can fade colours.
• Stiff wire brushes. They abrade the surface of the cord.

For a deeper routine, including stain-specific tips, see our complete guide to cleaning and maintaining your home net.

Drying, folding and storing your net

Drying is the step people rush, and it is the one that matters most. A net packed away even slightly damp can develop mildew within weeks.

Dry it completely. Leave the net tensioned in place after rinsing, or drape it over a railing or clothesline. Let air circulate on both sides. Direct sun helps, but the net must be dry to the core of every cord, not just on the surface.

Detach it carefully. Release the tension evenly, side by side, rather than freeing one corner at a time. Keep the edge rope or lacing attached to the net if you can, so refitting in spring is quicker.

Fold, don't crumple. Fold the net loosely in large panels, or roll it around a tube. Avoid sharp creases, tight knots and heavy objects pressing on it.

Store it somewhere dry and ventilated. A breathable cotton bag or a large storage box with air holes works well. Avoid sealed plastic bags, which trap moisture.

Good storage spots:

• A dry garage shelf, off the floor
• A loft or attic that does not get damp
• A utility room or cupboard inside the house

Keep the net away from rodents, sharp tools, fuel, solvents and heat sources such as boilers or radiators.

Don't forget the hardware

The net is only as strong as what holds it. Once it is down, take a few minutes to inspect every fixing point.

• Anchors and eyebolts. Check they are still firmly seated. Look for cracks in wood or concrete around them.
• Turnbuckles and tensioners. Clean off grit, check the threads and apply a light coat of marine grease if they are metal.
• Steel cables. Look for broken strands, kinks or corrosion, especially near crimps and clamps.
• Lacing cord or edge rope. Replace any section that looks frayed, hardened or discoloured.

If the hardware is easy to remove, store it in a labelled bag with the net. If it stays on the structure, cover open threads to keep water out.

Not sure which fixings suit your setup? Our guide on choosing mounting hardware for a custom net explains the options.

If your net stays up all winter

Some nets are built to stay in place: a hotel terrace in a warm climate, a covered veranda, a dock net in a region with mild winters. In that case, a light routine keeps it in good shape.

• Release some tension. A slightly relaxed net copes better with temperature swings and any unexpected load.
• Clear it after every storm. Brush off leaves, branches and standing water before they settle.
• Never let snow build up. If snow falls, sweep it off gently with a soft broom. Do not walk or lie on a snow-covered net.
• Check it monthly. Look at the anchor points, the edge rope and any spot where the mesh rubs against the structure.
• Close it to use when frozen. Ice makes cords stiff and slippery, so keep people off until it thaws.

For waterfront nets, also watch for ice forming on the water below and spray reaching the mesh. Our article on dock and waterfront netting covers lakeside installations in more detail.

Spring reinstallation checklist

When the weather turns, run through this list before the first lazy afternoon on your net.

• Unpack the net and air it outdoors for a few hours
• Inspect the mesh, panel by panel, for cuts, fraying or loose knots
• Check the edge rope and lacing along the full perimeter
• Confirm every anchor point is solid and undamaged
• Refit and tension the net evenly, side by side
• Test it with gentle weight before full use
• Replace any worn hardware rather than waiting for midsummer

If you find damage you are unsure about, send a photo to the Feelnets team. Small repairs are often possible, and catching them early avoids bigger problems later.

Frequently asked questions

When should I take my outdoor net down? Before the first frost or the first snow forecast, whichever comes first. In most of Europe and Canada, that means October or early November.

Can I put my outdoor net in the washing machine? It is not recommended. The drum can tangle the mesh and damage the edge rope. Hand washing with mild soapy water is safer and just as effective.

How do I remove mould from a net? Wash it with lukewarm water and a mild detergent, brush gently, rinse well, then dry it fully in the sun. Avoid bleach, which weakens synthetic fibres.

Can a net be left out in the snow? It is best avoided. Snow adds heavy, uneven weight to the mesh and anchors. If the net must stay up, clear snow off promptly and keep people off it.

How long does an outdoor net last? A quality outdoor net can last many years with regular cleaning and proper winter storage. Lifespan depends on the material, the climate and how often it is used.

Should I store the net with its hardware attached? Keep the edge rope and lacing on the net if possible, as it speeds up refitting. Remove metal fixings, clean them and store them in a labelled bag.

Ready for next summer

A little care in autumn pays off in spring. Clean the net, dry it completely, store it somewhere dry and check the fixings, and it will be ready the moment the sun returns.

Planning a new outdoor project for next season? Winter is the ideal time to design it. Explore our custom outdoor nets for gardens, terraces and pools, or request a free quote. Every Feelnets net is made to measure in France and delivered worldwide.

by Feelnets

Loft Net, Hammock Floor, Trampoline Net: What's the Difference?

Short answer: they are often the same product sold under different names. A loft net (or mezzanine net) is a tensioned net installed horizontally to create a suspended floor, play space or reading area. A hammock floor is the same product, named for how it feels rather than what it does. A trampoline net is the marine original — the mesh deck stretched between the hulls of a catamaran — and the name followed the material indoors. A balustrade net is the one that is genuinely different: it is installed vertically, as a barrier rather than a surface.

If you are trying to describe what you want to an architect, a builder or a manufacturer, that distinction between horizontal surface and vertical barrier matters far more than which of the names you happen to use.

Why does one product have so many names?

Because it arrived from three directions at once.

Suspended mesh has been used at sea for decades, where it is called a trampoline. Architects began specifying similar mesh indoors and described it by its function — a mezzanine, a loft floor. Meanwhile homeowners who lay on one for the first time reached for the most obvious comparison available, and called it a hammock.

None of those names is wrong. They simply come from different worlds, and none of them has won. The result is a category where searching for one term hides half the market from you, and where two suppliers can quote for what sounds like different products and deliver the same thing.

What is a loft net?

A loft net, also called a mezzanine net, is a net tensioned horizontally across an open space — typically a void above a living room, a landing, or the open side of a mezzanine level.

It creates usable area where there was only air. People use loft nets as reading corners, play spaces, guest sleeping areas, and as a way to make a double-height room feel connected rather than divided. In tight footprints — tiny houses, converted attics, small apartments — it adds floor without adding structure.

The term is the most useful one to use with architects and builders, because it describes the architectural function rather than the sensation.

What is a hammock floor?

A hammock floor is a loft net. The term describes the experience: the slight give underfoot, the way the mesh takes the shape of whoever is lying on it.

It is worth knowing the term exists, because it is what many homeowners search for and what a lot of interior-design coverage uses. But it is a consumer word rather than a trade one. Ask a structural engineer for a hammock floor and you may get a puzzled look; ask for a tensioned mezzanine net and you will not.

One practical distinction: "hammock floor" is almost always used for indoor residential installations. Nobody calls a sports barrier or a hotel terrace net a hammock floor.

What is a trampoline net?

This is where the material originally comes from. On a catamaran or trimaran, the trampoline is the mesh deck stretched between the hulls — walked on, sat on, slept on, and exposed permanently to sun, salt and movement.

Those conditions produced a mesh that is strong, dimensionally stable, comfortable against skin and highly UV-resistant. When designers started looking for something to span an indoor void, marine trampoline mesh was already solving a harder version of the problem.

So "trampoline net" can mean two things: the actual deck on a multihull, or an indoor net made from the same marine-grade material. In a boating context it is precise. In an architectural context it tends to confuse, because most people hear it and picture a garden trampoline with springs — a completely unrelated product.

What is a balustrade or railing net?

This one is genuinely a different product, and the difference is orientation.

A balustrade net is installed vertically. It fills the gap in a stair rail, a landing edge or a mezzanine guard, functioning as an infill panel rather than a surface. Nobody sits on it. Its job is to stop things — usually children, pets, or objects — passing through a gap.

Because it is a barrier rather than a floor, the design priorities change. Mesh aperture matters more than comfort. It is also the net most likely to interact with building regulations, since it is doing the work a guard or balustrade would otherwise do.

Confusing the two is the most consequential naming error in the category, and it happens often. A net specified as a floor and a net specified as a barrier are not interchangeable.

Horizontal or vertical: the distinction that actually matters

Everything above the balustrade row is a surface. Everything from it down is either a barrier or containment. Get that right and the vocabulary sorts itself out.

Which term should you use?

Talking to an architect, builder or engineer: use mezzanine net or tensioned net, and say horizontal or vertical explicitly. These are functional terms that map onto how they think about a building.

Searching online: try several. Loft net, hammock floor and mezzanine net surface noticeably different results, and you will otherwise miss suppliers who use the other word.

Requesting a quote: the name matters less than four pieces of information — orientation, the dimensions of the opening, what the net will be fixed to, and who will use it. Any manufacturer worth dealing with will ask for those regardless of what you called it.

Talking about boats: trampoline is correct and unambiguous. Use it.

Frequently asked questions

Is a hammock floor the same as a loft net? Yes. Same product, different name — one describes the feel, the other the function.

Can you walk on a loft net? Yes, though it flexes underfoot and takes a moment to get used to. Suitability depends on the specification, so confirm intended use with your manufacturer before ordering.

Is an indoor net the same as a garden trampoline? No. A garden trampoline uses springs and a solid frame to bounce. An interior net is a tensioned mesh surface with no spring system.

What is the difference between a balustrade net and a loft net? Orientation and purpose. A balustrade net is vertical and acts as a barrier; a loft net is horizontal and acts as a surface.

Can the same mesh be used indoors and outdoors? Marine-grade polyester mesh is designed for permanent UV and salt exposure, so it performs indoors and out. Cheaper fibres often do not survive sustained sunlight.

What should I send a manufacturer to get a quote? Orientation, opening dimensions, a photo of the space, what the fixings will go into, and how the net will be used.

Feelnets has manufactured made-to-measure nets in Quimperlé, France since 2012, for homes, hotels and multihulls worldwide. If you are unsure which product fits your space, send us your dimensions and a photo and we will tell you what you need.

by Feelnets

Dock & Waterfront Netting: The Missing Piece for Lake Houses and Cottage Living

There's a particular kind of property where a deck, a dock, and open water all meet — and where the space in between is usually wasted. Lake houses, cottages, and waterfront resorts pour money into the dock itself and the shoreline landscaping, but the zone that connects them is often left as bare boards or, worse, empty air over the water. That's exactly the space a custom dock net is built to claim.

What Is Dock Netting, Exactly?

Dock netting is a marine-grade net suspended between dock posts, pilings, or a dedicated frame, creating a stable surface — or a soft, hammock-like one — directly over the water. Depending on how it's installed, it can serve two very different purposes: a taut, walkable net that turns unused space beside or beneath a dock into a lounging platform, or a looser, cradle-style net designed purely for relaxing above the water's surface.

Feelnets builds both versions to measure, using the same marine-grade mesh developed for our catamaran trampoline nets — material that's already proven itself against sun, salt, and constant moisture on boats sailed year-round.

Why It's the Upgrade Most Waterfront Properties Are Missing

1. It Turns Dead Space Into the Best Seat on the Property

The stretch of water beside a dock, under a boathouse, or off the end of a pier is rarely used for anything. A net installed there becomes the spot everyone ends up — close enough to the water to dangle a hand in it, comfortable enough to stay for hours. It's usable square footage that doesn't require a single extra board of decking.

2. It Adds a Real Safety Barrier

For families with young children or pets, open water at the edge of a dock is a constant, low-level worry. A properly tensioned net around a swim platform or between dock sections acts as a physical barrier without blocking the view or the breeze — a very different solution from a rigid rail, and one that suits the relaxed character of a lake property.

3. It's a Signature Feature for Rental and Resort Properties

For cottage owners renting on Airbnb or VRBO, and for lakeside or coastal resorts competing for bookings, a net suspended over the water is the kind of feature that photographs itself. It reads as considered, high-end design rather than standard dock furniture — the same effect Feelnets nets have already created for boutique hotels working with overwater and terrace installations.

4. It's Engineered for Water, Not Just Weather

A garden hammock or a generic outdoor net isn't built for constant proximity to water — freshwater algae, fluctuating humidity, and in coastal settings, salt spray all shorten the life of ordinary materials fast. Dock netting needs the same resistance profile as marine rigging: UV-stabilized, rot-proof, and tensioned to handle the movement of a structure that's partially over water.

5. It Complements Everything Already on the Water

Unlike a deck extension or a permanent structure, a net installation works with an existing dock rather than requiring you to rebuild it. It can be fitted around ladders, cleats, and boat slips, and it's just as suited to a quiet freshwater lake dock as it is to a busy coastal marina frontage.

Built for the Property, Not Off a Shelf

Every dock is different — different piling spacing, different heights above the waterline, different exposure to wind and current. That's precisely why standard, pre-cut netting rarely fits well over water. A made-to-measure net, sized and tensioned for the specific structure it's attached to, is what actually holds up season after season.

Feelnets has spent over a decade making marine-grade nets for boats sailed in open water worldwide — the same expertise now shapes our dock and waterfront netting for homes, cottages, and resorts.

Dock & Waterfront Netting Contact us to receive a custom quote

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by Feelnets

Stargazer Net Beds: Why Suspended Loungers Are the Next Big Thing in Boutique Hospitality

A few years ago, the feature guests photographed most at a boutique hotel was the pool. Today, it's increasingly likely to be a net — suspended over a cliff edge, a pool deck, or the open air between two trees, with nothing but woven mesh and open sky between the guest and the view. The stargazer net bed has quietly become one of the most shared, most requested features in high-end hospitality design, and it's a natural next step for any property that has already discovered what a suspended net can do for a terrace or lounge area.

What Is a Stargazer Net Bed?

A stargazer net bed is a custom-made net installed specifically for lying down and looking up — typically positioned over a dramatic view, a pool, water, or open landscape, and often built with a slight cradle shape rather than a flat tension for extra comfort. Unlike a hammock, it holds multiple guests at once, is open on all sides, and disappears visually into its surroundings rather than dominating them. Positioned well, it turns an ordinary evening into the kind of moment a guest remembers the stay by.

Feelnets designs these to measure, using the same UV- and weather-resistant marine mesh developed for our catamaran and outdoor nets, engineered to stay comfortable and safe under constant sun and night exposure.

Why It's Resonating With Hospitality Design Right Now

It Matches Where Hospitality Design Is Heading

2026's hospitality trends are leaning hard into multisensory, experience-first design — spaces built around how a guest feels, not just how a room looks on a floor plan. A net bed delivers exactly that: the sensation of floating, the sound of the wind, an unobstructed view of the sky. It's a feature no amount of furniture can replicate.

It's Inherently, Effortlessly Photogenic

Unlike a lot of hotel amenities, a net bed doesn't need styling to look extraordinary — golden hour light through a suspended mesh, a couple lying beneath the stars, a single lounger cantilevered over a pool. It's the kind of image that gets shared without being asked to be shared, generating the organic visibility that hospitality marketing teams pay agencies to manufacture.

It Works in Places Nothing Else Can

A rooftop, a cliffside terrace, the space above a pool, the gap between two trees on a resort's grounds — a lot of the most dramatic real estate at a property is unusable by conventional furniture. A tensioned net can be installed almost anywhere there are two solid anchor points, turning previously "dead" or purely scenic space into a bookable experience.

It Signals a Property Has Been Designed, Not Just Decorated

The properties earning attention in 2026 are the ones treating design as storytelling — distinctive, site-specific features rather than generic luxury signifiers. A net bed built for one exact location, one exact view, can't be replicated at the property down the road. That specificity is precisely what differentiates a design feature from a design cliché.

It's a Lower-Cost, Faster Build Than It Looks

Compared to a permanent structure — a gazebo, an overwater bungalow extension, a built-in daybed — a custom net installation is comparatively fast to install and doesn't require the same structural investment. For hotels and resorts moving quickly on a seasonal refresh or a single standout feature, it's an outsized visual impact for a contained project.

Designed Around the View, Not the Other Way Around

The best stargazer net beds aren't off-the-shelf products bolted onto a random corner of a property — they're designed around a specific view, a specific structure, and the exact way a hotel wants a guest to experience that moment. That's a made-to-measure problem, not a catalog one.

Feelnets works with hotels and resorts worldwide to design nets built for their exact setting, from the mesh color and mounting hardware to the shape of the net itself.

Stargazer Net Beds Contact us to receive a custom quote

by Feelnets

Net vs. Glass Balustrade: Cost, Safety, and Design Comparison

When it comes to securing a staircase, mezzanine, or balcony, glass balustrades have long been the default choice for homeowners and architects seeking a modern, open look. But a growing number of design-conscious homeowners are choosing a different solution: custom-made rope and net balustrades.

Both options can meet safety requirements and create a clean, contemporary look — but they differ significantly in cost, maintenance, design flexibility, and feel. Here's how they compare, so you can choose the right solution for your project.

Safety: Two Different Approaches, Similar Protection

Glass balustrades work by creating a rigid, transparent barrier. They're strong, stable, and, when installed correctly with tempered or laminated safety glass, meet building safety standards for fall protection.

Net balustrades work differently: rather than a rigid barrier, a tensioned mesh of rope or cord absorbs impact and flexes slightly under pressure, while still preventing falls. This makes net balustrades a particularly popular choice for households with young children, since the mesh eliminates the hard edges and impact risk that glass panels can present. Unlike glass, a net balustrade also can't shatter, which some homeowners see as an added peace of mind, particularly in high-traffic family homes.

Both solutions, when properly designed and installed by professionals, provide reliable protection for stairs, mezzanines, and balconies. The right choice comes down to which type of protection best suits your household and design goals.

Design and Visual Impact

This is where the two options diverge most. Glass balustrades offer a minimalist, fully transparent look that lets light pass through uninterrupted — a popular choice in contemporary architecture where visual openness is a priority.

Net balustrades, by contrast, introduce texture, warmth, and a distinct architectural character that glass simply can't replicate. A rope balustrade on a designer staircase, for example, adds a tactile, almost nautical or organic quality to a space, and can be customized in a range of colors and mesh sizes to complement any interior style — from rustic and industrial to refined and minimalist.

For homeowners looking to make a design statement rather than simply meet code requirements, a custom net balustrade often stands out precisely because it's less commonly seen than glass — and because every net is made to measure for the specific staircase or mezzanine, rather than cut from standard panel sizes.

Cost Considerations

Glass balustrades typically involve higher material and installation costs, particularly for tempered safety glass, custom cuts around curved staircases, and the metal framing required to hold panels securely in place. Glass is also heavier, which can add structural requirements and installation complexity, especially in renovation projects.

Net balustrades are generally more cost-effective, both in materials and installation. Because the netting is lightweight, tensioned, and fitted using straightforward fastening systems, installation is typically faster and less invasive — an important advantage for renovation projects where minimizing structural work matters.

Maintenance and Durability

Glass requires regular cleaning to stay looking its best, as fingerprints, smudges, and water spots show easily on a transparent surface. It's also, despite being "safety glass," susceptible to chipping or cracking from impact over time.

A well-made net balustrade, particularly one manufactured from high-performance polyester mesh, is designed to resist UV exposure, moisture, and daily wear with minimal upkeep. There's no glass to clean or risk of shattering, making it a practical option for busy households or properties where low-maintenance materials are a priority.

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose glass if your priority is maximum transparency, a strictly minimalist look, and you're comfortable with higher upfront cost and ongoing cleaning.
• Choose a net balustrade if you want a distinctive, textured design feature, added flexibility for households with children, lower installation complexity, and a more cost-effective solution that's easy to maintain.

Ultimately, both options can deliver a safe, code-compliant staircase or mezzanine railing — the decision comes down to the look, feel, and practicality you want for your home.

Custom-Made Net Balustrades, Designed for Your Staircase

At Feelnets, every balustrade net is made in France to the exact dimensions of your staircase, mezzanine, or balcony, with a choice of mesh sizes, rope colors, and finishes to match your interior. Our team handles the project from design through to delivery, with a personalized quote provided in under three hours.

Considering a net balustrade for your home? Get your free, personalized quote today and discover how a custom net can transform your staircase or mezzanine.

by Feelnets