Find the Right Garden Hose for Your Outdoor Space
Garden hoses come in many styles, colors and sizes. They may also be kink-resistant or offer microbial protection. Lowe's offers hoses that are durable and versatile. Some also come with additional features such as a water-flow control valve that allows you to turn off the water flow and easily change nozzles.
The Best Garden Hose Material
Garden hoses are made from a variety of materials. Learn more about these different types so you can select the right garden hose for your needs.
Vinyl
A vinyl garden hose is an inexpensive option, and it's lightweight, making it easy to handle. Some lower-quality vinyl hoses may not last very long, so it's preferable to purchase higher-quality types. Premium vinyl hoses are kink-resistant and much more durable than their cheaper counterparts. They don't kink as easily as rubber hoses, but they're also less flexible than rubber hoses.
Rubber
Rubber hoses are known for their durability and flexibility. Many homeowners love the ease with which they can maneuver rubber hoses around their gardens and properties. Rubber hoses are heavier than vinyl hoses, but are easy to maneuver despite their heavy weight because they are so flexible.
Plastic
Plastic hoses are not as well-known as their vinyl or rubber counterparts, but they offer a variety of benefits. They tend to be inexpensive, flexible and safe for drinking water. The reinforced types are heavy-duty and kink-resistant. Plastic hoses are commonly used for RVs and boats.
Reinforced
Vinyl and vinyl-reinforced hoses are inexpensive, lightweight and easy to handle. Rubber hoses and hoses reinforced with rubber are heavier and more durable. Reinforced hoses stand up to temperature changes better and are less likely to kink or burst.
The Different Types of Garden Hoses
In addition to the common garden hose made of rubber or vinyl, there are also specialty hoses available. Here are some of the most common types of hoses from which you can choose.
Sprinkler
Sprinkler hoses are designed for use on the ground surface and are dotted with holes on one side to gently spray upwards. Sprinkler hoses are convenient because they may remove the need to purchase a separate sprinkler attachment in some cases.
Soaker
A soaker hose is porous and can be buried under a layer of mulch. The hose leaks small amounts of water directly to your garden or flower bed with little waste. A soaker hose can provide deep hydration because the water soaks directly into the ground instead of spraying upward into the air.
Commercial
Commercial hoses are designed for hot water and heavy-duty continuous use. Run-of-the-mill garden hoses should always be used with ambient water temperatures, so hot water should be reserved for hoses that are specifically designed for hot water use.
If you like to take an occasional drink from your hose on a hot day, make sure you get a hose that's designated for boat, marine or recreational use. Its plastic lining makes it safe for transmitting drinking water. The components used in standard hoses aren't always safe for ingestion.
Common Garden Hose Colors
When you envision a garden hose, green may be the first color that comes to mind. While it's true that many hoses are green, they also come in several other colors. Some of the most common garden hose colors include white, black, blue, red and yellow. You can even find hoses in unconventional colors like purple, pink and silver.
Ply
A ply is a layer. The more plies a hose has, the stronger the hose. Household hoses vary from one to six plies, often with a reinforcing mesh layer in between.
Popular Hose Sizes
When choosing the best garden hose for your needs, you'll need to take size into consideration. Hoses come in different sizes and diameters. Here are a few size factors to keep in mind when buying a hose.
The Best Garden Hose Length
Most garden hoses are between 25 and 100 feet in total length, but many other sizes are available. Water pressure diminishes as the hose length increases, so buy a hose that's long enough to reach where you'll be using it and no longer. If you occasionally require a long hose, buy two shorter ones and combine them when needed.
Common Hose Diameters
The diameter of threaded fitting inside a hose is referred to as the thread size. Hose diameters range from 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. The bigger the diameter, the more water is delivered. The most common garden hose thread size is 3/4 inch.
Couplings (or Fittings) for Your Garden Hose
The coupling is where the hose attaches to the water supply. Your two main choices are metal (usually brass) and plastic. Brass is more durable than plastic but may be difficult for anyone with limited hand strength to tighten to the spigot. For easy hand tightening, choose a hose with an ergonomically shaped plastic coupling. Some hoses are reinforced near the coupling to help prevent kinking at the faucet.
Garden Hose Nozzles
Nozzles come in many styles. Spray models can handle many different varieties of jobs. With a quick turn of the dial, you can change the spray pattern to suit your cleaning needs. Pistol and twist nozzles provide adjustable sprays to help you water delicate flowers. For a cleaning project, look for a nozzle with a jet spray. Consider the industrial or fireman-style nozzles for heavy-duty jobs.
If you're buying a hose to use with a pressure washer, check the pressure washer manufacture's recommendations on hose length. Depending on your water pressure, a 50-foot hose is generally the longest you should use.
Every Hose Needs a Hose Reel
A hose reel can prolong the life of your hoses by protecting them from the sun and other outdoor elements. The reels also help decrease your chances of tripping or mowing over the hose. Whether you want a portable reel or one that mounts to a wall, there are many styles available that are functional and decorative.
Choose the Garden Hose That’s Right for You
Garden hoses are available in a variety of types and styles. Choosing the right garden hose for you boils down to a few things: the type of hose you need (standard, coiled, expandable, etc.), the area that you need to cover, how often you plan to use it and your budget. Find everything you need online at Lowes.com or stop by your local Lowe’s and a Red Vest associate will be happy to help you.