What are the Sides of Velcro Called?
Velcro is made up of two sides. There is the hook side of VELCRO® Brand products, which is the rough, scratchy side. The hook is made up of tons of little uniform loops that are then cut in precisely the right spot to create little hooks. These hooks will stick to everything and can often stick to carpet, clothing, pets, furniture and more.
The loop side of VELCRO® is the soft, fuzzy side. The loop is designed to work in conjunction with the hook. The loop is basically a bunch of strands of varying size and length that create a neat bed for the hooks to sink into to take hold.
When you mate the hook and loop (press the two sides together), you get a fastener that is tough and resilient, while also being pretty easy to open.
What Will Velcro Stick To?
Velcro is a versatile fastener that sticks well to a variety of surfaces, depending on whether it's adhesive-backed or sew-on. Adhesive Velcro works best on clean, smooth, and dry surfaces. For fabrics, sewing provides the most secure hold. Always match the right Velcro type to the surface for best results.
Common surfaces Velcro sticks to:
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Fabric (cotton, polyester, nylon)
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Plastic
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Glass
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Metal
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Wood
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Painted drywall
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Cardboard
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Vinyl (some types, depending on texture and adhesive)
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Tile
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Smooth leather
Which Side of Velcro is Stronger?
The hook side of Velcro is typically stronger. It features stiff, tiny hooks designed to latch onto the softer loops on the loop side. Because of its aggressive grip, the hook side offers a firmer hold but can also wear out fabrics or collect debris over time if left exposed.
Which Side of Velcro Goes on the Wall?
The loop side of hook and loop is typically the one that goes on the wall. It's the soft, fuzzy side that grips the harder, hook side. Functionally, it doesn't matter which side of the hook and loop goes on the wall, but when the two sides are not fastened together, the sharper hook side can snag on things and collect debris.
Sometimes it makes sense to put the hook side on the wall instead, like when the other side is being laundered and might collect lint and debris in the process. Additionally, since the hooks are more likely to grab onto fabric or other soft surfaces, attaching the hook side to the wall allows for easy connection with objects that have the loop side on them (such as fabric, felt, or soft materials).
Various Styles of Hook and Loop
Within each side, there are different styles that allow for stronger holds, or for light-duty applications. The stronger the hold, the lower the cycle-life. Cycle-life is the number of times you can fasten and unfasten the hook and loop before it loses half its strength. Some of the most common styles are the low-profile hook and loop which provide an easy to peel solution while also being strong in shear. Another popular option is the high-profile MVA8, or HTH 511, which is a T-shaped hook that is used in applications that are more permanent. This hook has a low cycle-life and is often used to install headliners and cabinet fascia, etc.
How Hook and Loop is Sold
At HookandLoop.com, we sell the hook and the loop on 25 yard rolls and we sell them separately. We sell the hook and loop separately because some customers need more of one side than they need of the other, or they may need two different products for each side. For instance, they may need the wide loop product for their pedal board and thin strips of the hook side for their pedals. Or another example would be someone needing to connect two pads with one strip of 4" wide hook and 2 strips of 2" wide loop.
By selling the sides separately, you have the freedom to choose the product that works best for you. So now that you know the difference between hook and loop, you can explore all of the options we have available to solve your next fastening needs! Browse our different types of VELCRO® Brand products today.
Additional FAQs:
Q. What are the different types of VELCRO®?
A. VELCRO® Brand fasteners come in a variety of types designed for different applications. These include:
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Sew-on VELCRO®: Designed for fabric-based projects and garments.
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Adhesive Backed VELCRO®: Ideal for hard surfaces like walls, metal, or plastic.
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VELCRO® Straps: Pre-cut straps used for bundling cables or securing items.
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Hook and Loop Tape: Versatile and available in rolls for custom cutting.
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Industrial Strength VELCRO®: Heavy-duty with stronger adhesion for demanding applications.
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Specialty VELCRO®: Includes fire-resistant, waterproof, or clear options for unique needs.
Q. Which is hook and which is loop side in VELCRO® Brand fasteners?
A. In VELCRO®, the hook side consists of stiff, tiny hooks, while the loop side is soft and fuzzy. The hooks latch onto the loops to create the fastening system. Typically, the hook side is attached to the stationary part, while the loop side is used on movable items.
Q. What is Velcro actually called?
A. VELCRO® is the brand name for a hook-and-loop fastener system. Over time, the term "Velcro" has become synonymous with the product itself, though it is technically a trademarked name.
Q. What is another name for VELCRO®?
A. Another name for VELCRO® is a hook-and-loop fastener. This term describes the mechanism of how the product works, with hooks attaching to loops for a secure hold.
Q. What is the female side of the Velcro?
A. The female side of Velcro refers to the loop side. It is the softer, fuzzy side that the hook side (which is often referred to as the male side) attaches to. The loop side provides the surface that the hook side can grip onto, forming the connection that makes Velcro work.
Q. What is the male side of Velcro?
A. The male side of Velcro refers to the hook side. It consists of small, stiff hooks that attach to the softer, fuzzy loop side (the female side). When pressed together, the hooks latch onto the loops, creating the secure fastening that Velcro is known for.
Q. Why is the soft side of Velcro not sticking?
A. If the soft (loop) side of Velcro isn’t sticking, it could be due to: worn loops, debris, worn hooks, too much weight, or poor alignment.
Q. What fabric will Velcro stick to?
A.Velcro sticks well to woven fabrics like cotton, polyester, and nylon, especially when sewn on. Adhesive-backed Velcro may stick to smooth fabrics but may not hold as well over time.
Q. What fabric works best with Velcro?
A. Tightly woven fabrics like nylon, canvas, denim, and polyester provide the best hold for both adhesive and sew-on Velcro, ensuring long-lasting attachment and durability.
Q. Will Velcro stick to vinyl fabric?
A. Velcro can stick to some types of vinyl using strong adhesive-backed options, but textured or flexible vinyl may require sewing for a more secure attachment.
