Mayan Hammocks Are Becoming Increasingly Popular
Mayan Hammocks are becoming increasingly popular
Mayan Hammocks are becoming increasingly popular with people who want more out of a hammock than just to have something hanging unused between two trees. These hammocks are, of course, great for hangouts in the back yard, and are a top choice as a replacement for a bed. It would seem to be easy to pick one out on one of the hundreds of online stores. But that is not always the case. Today we are going to go over the construction elements that will help you pick the best one for your needs.
The Mayan hammock is known as a string hammock because, well, it is made out of string. That obvious fact makes the type of string used a key element in the final product. Mayan hammocks today can be made out of cotton, nylon, polypropylene, hemp, polyester, sisal, and occasionally silk. In this article we will cover the performance characteristics of the various cotton hammocks, as that is the most popular fiber. Future articles will cover the other materials.
Thin Hammock Cord
The most common cording used is a thin cotton hammock cord produced in the humid Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and surrounding areas. It is short staple cotton, which can be broken easily by just snapping it between your hands. Weak as it is, however, properly woven, it produces a marvelously comfortable hammock that can support from hundreds to over a thousand pounds. The bed feel in this hammock is soft and supportive. They great majority of cotton Mayan hammocks sold in the USA are woven of this cord. Its weaknesses are that it snags and breaks easily, and is subject to mildew if left wet in humid areas. Well cared for, indoors, it can last over a decade.
Thick Hammock Cord
On the other extreme is the #24 cording which is the same short staple cotton as the hammock cord but in a heavy gauge about six times thicker than the thin string. The heavy gauge cord gives a luxurious feel, and is often found in hammocks labeled as deluxe. Generally, hammocks from these heavier cords have a more open weave, and run quite large. These hammocks tend to have a very soft support.
Mercerized Cotton Cord
A smaller number of hammocks are woven from mercerized cotton, derived from long staple Texas cotton, which has seven to ten times the burst strength of hammock cord, and also has better color retention, as the dye is twisted into the fiber during the spinning. This cord produces a thin string hammock which combines the comfort of the classic Mayan hammock with the strength of a synthetic fiber. Hammocks made from mercerized cotton offer the same comfortable support as those of regular hammock cord, but with a smoother skin feel and greater durability.
Crochet Cotton Cord
For the absolute smoothest skin feel in a Mayan hammock we turn to the mas fina, a very thin soft cord used in the Mayan crochet hammock. This hammock has over triple the weave density of the regular hammock which, combined with the soft surface of the cord, produces a hammock with a very silky feel and a more firm support. This is the hammock beloved of the hammock connoisseur.
About author:- Thick or thin, tough or gentle, each type of cotton cord lends a distinct feel to the hammock it is part of. Use this knowledge to make your perfect selection. For tons of information about hammocks, and the best selection of the world's most comfortable hammocks visit www.seasidehammocks.com. Tommy Hamaca will help you find the perfect hammock for home or garden.
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