If you have never played tennis or volleyball, you might think their respective nets are the same when looking at either from a distance. Get a little closer, and you'll see that there are some major differences. Both nets are used indoors and outdoors and are manufactured similarly, but they're clearly not the same.
Major Difference
The major difference between the volleyball net and the tennis net is height. A tennis net is secured to the net posts with the bottom of the net touching the ground between the posts. A volleyball net hangs in the air roughly seven feet, secured with two steel cables between the net posts. The tennis net is secured to the net posts with hardly any of the steel cable visible, whereas the volleyball net has three to five feet of extra cable showing from the net to the posts.
Height and Length
A tennis net is 42 feet long from post to post. At the net post where the net is secured onto a pole, the net height is three and a half feet. In the middle of the net, the net height is three feet, measured and secured by a net strap. A volleyball net is 36 feet long and 39 inches tall. Most volleyball nets have four to six inches of vinyl tape around the net with wooden net sticks on the side of the net.
Materials
The majority of tennis nets used throughout the world are designed and made with the same materials. A thick white Kevlar net guard is used to wrap the top of the net, which is then sewn with a heavy-duty material thread called Dacron. The net itself is made with a 3.5 polyethylene twine that companies have scientifically engineered to withstand weather and wear and tear. Volleyball nets are designed and manufactured with materials strong enough to withstand the weather elements of the outdoors, especially at the beach, and indoor nets are relatively the same. The nets are made with nylon netting secured with a Kevlar guard, which is wrapped around the whole net. The material used for outdoor netting is made with ultraviolet- and mildew-resistant properties.
Cable
Both tennis and volleyball nets use steel cables to secure the net to the net posts. On a tennis net, the steel cable runs through the top portion of the net, which is used to tie off the net at the posts. There are thick pockets on the side of the net, which allows for net sticks to be inserted for a more stable, cleaner look. Thin rope is used to tie the pockets with sticks to the net posts. A volleyball net is secured with two steel cables, with the top and bottom of the net having a steel cable to secure to the net posts.
Costs
When purchasing a tennis net, you want to pay anywhere from $100 to $300. Volleyball nets will run you $50 on the low end, with professional quality nets costing close to $500 in 2010. The more expensive tennis and volleyball nets will generally mean a higher grade of quality and a warranty.
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