Are you in the market for yet another garden hose? Did you last one deteriorate to the point where you just threw it in the garbage? Perhaps you should take a look at these simple facts and your next hose just might last you longer.

Garden hoses may be compared by inner diameter, burst strength, material layers and length. Diameter matters because it determines efficiency; the pressure per square inch regulates burst strength. Most hoses are between 25 and 100 feet long. All garden hoses are best kept out of the sun, and should be rolled up after use and re-rolled if kinks appear.

There are several types of hoses:

Rubber – Heavy, strong, durable and expensive. Excellent resistance to kinking and cracking since it’s reinforced with tire cord and can be used with hot water.

Vinyl – Lightweight and inexpensive. Fewer layers of reinforcing material also means it is more susceptible to sun damage and kinking. A non-reinforced vinyl garden hose works best with sprinklers.

Rubber-Vinyl – Combines durability of rubber - reinforced with tire cord - with the lightweight manageability of vinyl, making it the easiest hose to use.

Nylon – Kinks easily, often leading to leaks at the kink points. Lightweight, so it requires use of a hose hanger to maintain its structure when being put away.

Soaker – Works similarly to underground drip irrigation pipes. It is porous, with thousands of tiny holes, and may be planted under mulch, completely buried, or left on the surface to slowly distribute water to the roots of your plants. If you bury it, wrap the end to prevent dirt from clogging it up. Made with canvas, vinyl or rubber, and is often rated by gallons of water per hour per foot.

Coiled – You don’t have to worry about rolling it back into shape when you’re finished. Automatically snaps back into place. Withstands sun ad rain damage well, but is usually made of nylon or polyurethane.

Sprinkler – Serves the same purpose as the soaker garden hose. The main differences are that is to be left on the surface and has holes along one side of it that sprays water upwards.

Flat – This hose is a product of fire fighting technology. It remains flat until water pressure fills it out so it’s easier to store. Lightweight and does not kink. A flat hose has to be completely extended before water will pass through and completely drained before being stored, which makes it less susceptible to cracking.

Recreational – Made with different materials, but with a plastic lining inside, which makes the water safe to drink straight from the hose.

Commercial – This hose is for heavy-duty, continuous use with hot water.