Frequently Asked Questions

Good question. Some people like one, some like the other. Here are some considerations.

Most of us here at Twin Oaks have tried both types of hammocks and we prefer the feel of rope. The main reason is that a rope hammock is much more flexible and accommodating. The rope mesh can move around. It’s also cooler. A fabric hammock, even if it’s quilted, becomes firm as soon as you put your weight on it. Also, a rope hammock doesn’t collect leaves and other stuff. Rope hammocks come in more different sizes.

But fabric hammocks have advantages. Some people in bathing suits don’t like the feel of the rope bed, or don’t like the marks left by the rope on their bare skin. A fabric hammock will be warmer in cool weather. Small children may prefer a fabric hammock because they can climb around in it without their arms and legs falling through the mesh. Fabric hammocks offer more different "looks" – stripes, solids, etc, to coordinate with your house or other outdoor furniture.

Which color pillow goes best with which color hammock?

Check out our color coordination tool.

How far apart should the trees or posts or other supports be to hang my hammock?

The quick answer is that a hammock hangs best in a space a foot or two longer than the overall length of the hammock. For example, a Family Size hammock is about 13½ feet long overall, so the best distance for the supports is 14½–16½ feet apart. For much more information, here is a thorough set of directions on how to hang your hammock. If you have more questions, call us at 800-688-8946 or e-mail us at: hammocks@twinoaks.org

My trees are too far apart, or too close together. What can I do?

Go here for full info on hanging your hammock. Briefly, if your supports are further or closer than the ideal distance, you install your hooks higher up.

When I unrolled my new hammock, it’s not nearly as long as it’s supposed to be. What gives?

Brand new hammocks, especially Traditional Rope Hammocks, are shorter than they will be once they have been stretched out in use. As your new hammock stretches out, you may have to tighten it several times. Using chain between the hammock and the hooks makes this adjustment easier. See more information here.

I put my hammock on the stand and when I get in the whole thing sags to the ground. What's wrong?

Some hammocks stretch out a lot when you use them the first few times. This is especially true of Family Size Traditional Rope Hammocks. To keep your new hammock from sagging down to the ground, you may have to stretch it very tightly. You may have to hook the rings of the hammock directly onto the S-hooks at either end of the stand. You may even need someone to help you get it tight enough the first time. The rope is new and fresh, but as you use your hammock more and more, it will stretch out and develop more of a natural belly. A new hammock is like a new pair of jeans: "wear" your hammock as much as you can to stretch it to its full comfort level.

Squirrels/my dog/birds chewed through ropes on my hammock. (Or my husband mowed it.) Do I need to buy a new one?

If possible we would prefer to fix your old hammock instead of selling you a new one, so our repairs policy is generous. Repairs cost $20–$40, depending on how bad the damage is and the size of the hammock. This includes the cost of shipping it back to you. If we decide your hammock is in fact irreparable, we'll give you a $25 discount on a new one. Check out our full repairs policy here.

Can I fix my hammock myself?

We don't recommend this. Our workshops are filled with all the right matching materials, jigs, and welding irons to fix your hammock well and quickly, and our repairs people really know their stuff. We do not sell raw materials for making or repairing individual hammocks.

Is there anything I can do to keep those critters away from my repaired/new hammock?

Many people have had luck following these suggestions:

· When your hammock is not in use, put both rings on the hook at one end so the hammock is not as accessible to animals. This will also reduce its exposure to the weather and keep leaves out of it.

· Don’t store your hammock where critters will chew it.

· Purchase a commercial animal deterrent. The one we know of is Grannick's "Bitter Apple." This product, or something similar, can be purchased at most pet stores or garden centers.

· Look on the web for other products or home-made deterrents. Here’s what one website says:

· Ropel® is a long lasting, extremely bad tasting commercial repellant and will stop squirrels and many other animals from chewing things, such as wood, wire, screens, lawn furniture, etc. It is available at many garden centers.

· Hot Pepper Repellant Recipe

You need:
1. One chopped yellow onion
2. One chopped Jalapeno pepper
3. One tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper
Boil ingredients for 20 minutes in two quarts of water. Then let it cool and strain the mixture through cheesecloth. You can apply this with a pesticide sprayer or a spray bottle. This will deter just about any animal from an area where it is applied. The only draw back is that it only lasts for three to five days.

· Don’t leave your hammock lying on the ground where it might get mowed.

And if you come up with anything else that works, please let us know!

How long will my hammock last?

It depends on many factors. Every so often we hear of a hammock that's been up for 20 or more years and is still going strong. Here are some tips, based on our experience.

· Our products are designed to be out in all kinds of weather, but taking your hammock in when you're not using it will help prolong its life. Unhooking it from one end of the tree and folding it up to hang on the other hook will also help.

· Kids love to play rambunctious games on a hammock but this can wear it out prematurely, especially the end ropes. (It’s also dangerous to let children, especially young kids, play on a hammock unsupervised.)

· Don’t store your hammock where rodents or pets might chew it.

· Intense, direct sunshine is hard on some synthetics. Your olefin rope hammock will likely last longer if it is not in the direct sun all the time. Envirope hammocks are a better choice for locations exposed to intense sun all the time.

How do I clean my hammock?

Rope hammocks can be hosed down, or soaked in a bathtub filled with cool or warm water (not hot) and a mild soap. Rinse well and dry thoroughly before storing.

Here is information on cleaning fabric hammocks and pillow covers.

Who makes your hammocks? Are they made in the U.S.A.?

We make all of them ourselves. Our rope is manufactured, our wood milled, and our hammocks woven, sewn, and assembled right here in our workshop in rural Virginia, by people who enjoy the craft and take pride in attention to detail.

The folks who make Twin Oaks Hammocks are all members of Twin Oaks Community, an intentional community founded in 1967. We've been making hammocks for over 40 years. Our hammock shop is a social hub of the community, a place where we hold meetings and have (unplugged) open mic events. When weather permits, people can frequently be seen weaving outside.

Can I come over and buy a hammock at Twin Oaks?

While we're flattered that you want to come out here to see us, we need to stress that we do not have a physical store, or any display where you can see different products. We're a mail-order business. Our office and our warehouse are in different locations so we can’t give you what you want if you just drop in. If you live locally and you know what you want, and you would like to save on shipping costs, call 540-894-5125 during business hours (M–F 9am–5:30pm) to arrange a pick up. Call several days in advance.

What are the differences between Sunbrella® and Olefin for fabric hammocks?

Both these materials are weather-resistant and can be left outside year-round (though you will preserve the life of your hammock by taking it in during the off-season). They can be left out in the rain and will dry just fine in warm weather after the sun's been shining for a few hours. Both are color-fast and resist fading in the sun.

Sunbrella is a softer fiber than olefin. It stands up particularly well in the sun. If you want a fabric hammock and you live in an area closer to the equator, like Florida or the Southwest, you're better off with Sunbrella.

Olefin fabric is slightly less soft than Sunbrella, but is also less expensive.

What is olefin, anyway?

Olefin is polypropylene treated for outdoor use. It makes a great rope hammock. It’s lightweight, dries quickly, and comes in lots of great colors. Unlike cotton, it won't mold, mildew, or rot. In the workshop, it can be welded to itself for simplicity in the assembly process. And olefin scrap and worn-out hammocks can be melted down and recycled into other plastic goods like car battery casings.

So what about Envirope? What is it?

Envirope is a soft cotton-like polyester rope made from recycled soda and water bottles. Approximately ten bottles make one pound of fiber, and each Family Size Envirope hammock contains about 7½ pounds of rope. For a lot more information, see www.fossmfg.com/bu_ecospun.cfm . Envirope looks and feels like cotton but doesn’t rot and mildew as cotton does. Envirope is more sun-resistant than olefin and so is a better choice for sunny southern locations such as Florida and the Southwest.

Why do Envirope Hammocks only come in white?

We try to make Envirope Hammocks as ecologically friendly as possible. Adding color adds another chemical. Also, colored polyester rope is not as resistant to fading as we would like. By the way, white is the traditional color for rope hammocks.

Is Silkspun rope a different kind of fiber? What is it?

Silkspun is olefin rope, but it's denser and smoother, with more, thinner filaments than our standard rope. The hammocks made from Silkspun rope are also woven with more stitches and more rope than our regular olefin hammocks, making for a really luxurious product.

Can I get a gift certificate?

Yes! You can order a gift certificate here. If you like, you can email or call us with an idea of what you'd like to give as a gift: just a hammock? A hammock and a pillow? A hammock, a pillow, and a stand? Then we'll help you determine the amount of your gift certificate, including shipping.

How long will it take to get my hammock? What are my shipping options? What about tracking?

We ship one or two days after you place your order. We're in Virginia, so folks on the east coast and in the midwest will usually get their hammocks in 2-3 business days. If you live farther west than that, allow for 3-5 days. California, Oregon, and Washington customers can usually expect about a week's wait from the day of shipment.

We usually ship by UPS Ground, at approximately 12 noon each business day. We can ship 2nd Day Air, or Next Day Air if you’re in a big hurry and don’t mind paying for the faster service.

UPS will automatically e-mail you tracking information. You can then go on-line and track your stuff.

For customers in Alaska and Hawaii, we will ship USPS/Priority Mail. It takes longer and is more expensive. We humbly ask you to be flexible and patient with us as we are a small operation trying our best.

We do not ship to Canada, Mexico, overseas, or to PO or APO boxes. Sometimes a person in one of those locations will have our products shipped to a friend in the United States, and then forwarded.

If we didn't answer your question here, feel free to call us at 540-894-5125 or toll free 800-688-8946. Or you can email us at hammocks@twinoaks.org. Thank you for your interest in Twin Oaks Hammocks!