Installing a tennis net is a fairly simple and straightforward task. However, there are still a few facts you should know ahead of time, such as how to tell what kind of net post you have, and ensuring that your measurements are correct. These tips for installing a tennis net will help you transform your court from a work-in-progress to a playable surface. Before installing your net, you need to know whether you have internally winding posts or externally winding posts. How do you tell the difference? It is simple, externally winding posts will have a loop for the net cable at the top of the post, and an external crank. If you do not see these things, your posts are internally wound.
Installing Your Net on an Internally Winding Post
When installing a tennis net onto an internal wind post, identify the loop end of the net cable and cut it off. After doing that, pull the end you just cut over the post and begin inserting it into the internal wind mechanism. Once you insert the cable into the post, begin winding the handle until the center of the net is about three feet above the court.
Accommodating Externally Winding Posts
If you’re installing the net onto an external wind post, the process is slightly different than it is with an internal wind post. With external wind posts, you’ll need to locate the hook on the dead end post and attach the loop end of the net cable to it.
Next, locate the crank assembly pin and attach the other net cable loop to it. Then, just as with internal wind posts, begin turning the crank until the center of the net is about three feet above the court.
Double-Check Your Measurements
Like the old carpenter's saying goes: measure twice, cut once. It’s always good to double-check your measurements after installation to ensure you didn’t make a mistake. As mentioned above, the center of your net should be about three feet above the ground. It will be higher at the end posts, closer to three and a half feet. Do not worry, this is correct. Instead of going through all the trouble of building a court and installing a net just to fumble the net measurement, simply break out some measuring tape and give it a second look.
These tips for installing a tennis net will help you complete the process without trouble. If anything does happen to your net during installation, don’t worry. We can help you find replacement tennis nets and posts, or specific replacements for pieces of hardware like ground anchors.