TWISTED 

Twisted rope is the traditional stranded rope construction. It's still being put to many uses even today; they are attractive in price and quality. Their other advantages include high elasticity, well-grooved surfaces with a good grip, good abrasion resistance, and great ease of splicing. However, one of their disadvantages is that these ropes offer relatively little in terms of breaking force.

SINGLE BRAID

Single braids consist of an even number of strands braided according to a circular pattern, half of them clockwise, the other half counterclockwise.

8 strand – The simplest braiding construction, this construction is easy to grasp. This type of rope offers some higher breaking force than twisted rope.

12 strand – This construction gives a rounder and smoother form than 8 strand. This is the ideal construction for rope cores and high strength braids. In most cases, these ropes consist of high-strength fibers, so that they are very light and very easy to splice.

COVER CONSTRUCTIONS

Cover constructions are ropes that have an inner hollow braid as their core. An outer hollow braid is braided around that core and forms the cover. This type of rope is generally very flexible, strong, comfortable to handle, and easy to splice.

8 plait – This construction has a knobbly cover, normally quite a thick cover so little core.

16 plait – Produces a smoother cover with more space for core, suits smaller core dependent ropes.

24 plait – This construction gives a good balance between a thick durable cover whilst retaining space for core. Can be used in both core dependent and balanced rope designs. Splice ability is excellent.

32 plait – Can be made with a thinner cover than 24 plait allowing bigger/stronger core.  Harder to splice in this form though.  Thin cover doesn't always work well in deck hardware.

48 plait – This type of ropes has more thinner cover and allowing stronger core.  Mainly used in in climbing ropes and chafe covers.