As a fruit grower, you know how important it is to protect your valuable harvest from hail. But what if you discover damage in your hail net? In this article, we share our expertise on causes, smart repairs, and structural solutions, based on over 6,500,000 m² of installed hail net systems.

The Hidden Cause of Damaging Hail Nets

The story of a damaging hail net begins with its composition. Your net is made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene), a material specially developed for long-term protection. To protect it from sunlight, it is enriched with U.V. stabilizers - a protection we measure in the so-called KLY value.

A crystal hail net has an impressive KLY value of 950. To put this into perspective: in the Netherlands, we have an average of 80 KLY of U.V. exposure per year. On paper, your net should serve without problems for many years. Yet in practice, we often see nets starting to damage earlier. How can this be?

An Unexpected Interplay

Here we encounter a fascinating dilemma. The U.V. stabilizers that protect your net from sunlight actually have a downside. The more stabilizers we add for U.V. protection, the stiffer the net becomes. And it is precisely this stiffness that makes the net more vulnerable to another important factor: wind.

It's comparable to a young tree that bends with the wind, versus an old, rigid tree that can break during a storm. The same principle applies to your hail net. A net that is too stiff can fail thread by thread under wind load. This is despite the fact that each individual thread is quite strong - with a tensile strength of 3.5 kg per thread, you could theoretically even make a hammock from it!

What Can You Do When Damage Occurs?

When your hail net is damaged, you have different options, from quick repairs to long-term structural solutions.

Immediate Repair Options

The Reinforcement Band Method

The first approach is what we call the reinforcement band method. This method requires a bit more expertise but offers the most durable repair. Using a special reinforcement band and sewing machine, not only is the damage repaired, but the entire area is strengthened. It's like repairing a valuable piece of clothing by a skilled tailor - with precision and attention to detail.

The Nok Clip Method

A practical intermediate solution that you can perform yourself. By carefully pulling the net up at the damaged area and securing it with extra nok clips, you can extend the life of your net by 2 to 3 years. It's an accessible solution that requires no specialized tools.

Structural Improvements for the Future

If you are considering replacement, there are two modern solutions that can largely prevent damage at the nok:

The Split Net Method

In this innovative approach, we use two nets that meet at the nok, instead of one net over the entire tree row. This offers multiple advantages:

• Better force distribution on the nok wire
• Double reinforcement at the critical point
• Proven effective against damage formation
• Easier to maintain

Switch to Milky White Net

A structural solution is the choice of the new milky white net. This material is constructed differently from traditional crystal hail net:

• U.V. stabilizers are fully integrated into the material
• More flexible and supple under wind load
• Expected lifespan of 15-20 years
• Only 2-3% more light reduction, compensated by better reflection

The Lifespan of Your Hail Net

In practice, a crystal hail net lasts about 10 to 15 years. This lifespan is not only determined by U.V. exposure but especially by the mechanical load of wind and weather. By dealing wisely with your nets and performing small repairs in a timely manner, you can often get the maximum out of this lifespan.

With the new generation of milky white nets and smart installation techniques like the split net method, we see that this lifespan can be stretched even further. These investments pay for themselves through less maintenance and better protection of your harvest.

Expertise Within Reach

With more than 6,500,000 m² of installed hail net systems, we have seen almost every situation. Whether you need advice on a repair or want to know how to optimize the lifespan of your nets - our experts are happy to share their knowledge.

Do you have questions about damage to your hail net or want personalized advice on the best solution for your situation? Contact us. Together we will ensure that your fruit remains optimally protected.

This article is regularly updated with the latest insights and techniques. Last update: January 2025