Lightweight or heavy-duty? Standard or coiled? Flat or expandable? Who knew there were so many types of garden hoses? Here are some of the most common types of hoses you're likely to find at your local garden center:
All-purpose hose. An all-around basic hose for watering and cleaning is available in different sizes and materials, and may be lightweight or heavy-duty.
Flat hose. These compact, easy to coil hoses expand when filled with water but lay flat when not. Because they have to be flexible to collapse when empty, they're usually made of lightweight material that typically won't last as long.
Coiled hose. If you're tight on space or just hate fighting with your hose when it's time to put it away, this type of hose retracts into a neat coil. They usually come in shorter lengths (see below for more info) so are suitable for watering small areas.
Expandable hose. Another option for small yards or patios, an expandable hose looks petite, but its length doubles or triples when it's filled with water. These lightweight hoses are for light-duty jobs, and generally don't last long.