Grommets vs. Eyelets: What's the Difference & Which Should You Use?
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What Is a Grommet?
A grommet is a two-piece hardware component designed to reinforce holes in fabric. Made from durable materials like brass or stainless steel, grommets are pressed together through a pre-punched hole. The malleable metals flare and roll when installed, locking the two parts together and securing the fabric in place.
Grommets are easy to install with the right grommet setting die and offer strong, long-lasting reinforcement. For added strength, consider spur grommets. These have small teeth, or "spurs," that grip the fabric to prevent the grommet from spinning or coming loose over time.
Best Uses for Grommets:
- Flags
- Awnings
- Curtains
- Tarps
- Projects requiring quick, easy installation and moderate strength.
What Is an Eyelet?
The term eyelet can be confusing because it’s often used to describe small grommets, like the ones found on shoelaces. However, in marine and industrial applications, eyelets refer to a specific type of fabric reinforcement that differs from grommets.
An eyelet is part of a traditional, more time-consuming method of hole reinforcement. It’s typically used with a brass ring that is hand-sewn onto the fabric using waxed twine. Once the ring is secured, a soft brass eyelet is pressed into the center of the ring and locked in place using a setting die. In this setup, the twine provides the primary strength, while the eyelet protects the stitching from wear.
Best Uses for Eyelets:
- Heavy-duty sails
- Large canvas pieces
- High-stress areas like corners.
- Projects requiring maximum strength and durability.
Grommet vs. Eyelet: Which Should You Choose?
- For small projects like flags or awnings, a plain grommet is usually sufficient.
- If you're installing many grommets and they won't bear heavy loads, go for spur grommets for extra security.
- For high-load areas or corners of sails and large canvases, opt for eyelets for superior strength and durability.
Now that you know the difference between grommets and eyelets, you can confidently choose the right hardware for your next project!
What are you working on? Whether it’s a boat cover, a custom sail, or a DIY awning, we’d love to hear about it! Share your project in the comments below.
