Rattan Material & Chair Caning Supplies

How to Choose Chair Caning Supplies

The right chair caning material depends on the style of seat or panel you are repairing. Pressed cane chairs usually need pre-woven cane webbing and reed spline. Traditional hand-caned chairs use individual strands of natural chair cane woven through holes around the frame. Decorative furniture panels, cabinet doors and accent projects may use cane webbing, rattan sheets, binder cane or specialty woven rattan material.

Pre-Woven Cane Webbing vs. Hand Chair Cane

Pre-woven cane webbing is the easiest choice for many chair seat repairs because the cane pattern is already woven into a sheet. It is commonly used on pressed cane chairs, chair backs, cabinet doors, furniture panels and decorative inserts. The webbing is usually held in place with reed spline that fits into a groove around the seat or panel opening.

Hand chair cane is different. It is used on chairs with a series of holes around the seat frame. Individual strands of cane are woven through those holes to create the seat. This method is more traditional and can be a beautiful choice for antique chairs, but it requires more time, patience and careful measuring.

Caning Materials for Chairs, Cabinets and Furniture Repair

Van Dyke's carries caning supplies for many restoration projects, including cane webbing rolls, natural rattan chair cane, binder cane, reed spline, cane hobby packs and woven rattan material. These materials can be used to restore antique chairs, repair woven furniture, replace damaged chair backs or add texture to cabinet doors and custom furniture panels.

If you are restoring a chair, measure the seat opening and identify whether the frame has a groove or drilled holes before selecting your material. For pressed cane seats, choose cane webbing with a pattern and opening size that fits the style of the chair. For hand-caned seats, choose the correct strand cane size for the holes in the frame.

For related projects, browse our chair tools and supplies, replacement chair seats and chair hardware parts. You can also review our beginner's guide to chair caning, pressed cane chair seat replacement guide and chair cane size guide before you begin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chair Caning Supplies

What supplies do I need to cane a chair?

For a pressed cane chair, you typically need pre-woven cane webbing, reed spline, glue, wedges and trimming tools. For a hand-caned chair, you need natural chair cane, pegs, an awl and basic weaving tools.

How do I know if I need cane webbing or strand chair cane?

If the chair seat has a groove around the opening, it usually uses pre-woven cane webbing and reed spline. If the chair has drilled holes around the seat frame, it usually requires individual strands of chair cane woven by hand.

What is reed spline used for?

Reed spline is used to hold pre-woven cane webbing in the groove of a pressed cane chair seat, chair back or panel opening. It helps secure the cane webbing after it has been fitted and trimmed.

Can rattan cane webbing be used for cabinet doors?

Yes. Rattan cane webbing is often used for cabinet doors, furniture panels, drawer fronts and decorative inserts. It adds texture and ventilation while creating a warm, natural look.

What is the difference between cane webbing and rattan webbing?

Cane webbing is made from the outer skin of rattan and is commonly used for chair seats, chair backs and cabinet inserts. Rattan webbing is often used more broadly to describe woven rattan material, including decorative sheets and furniture panels.

Should cane webbing be soaked before installation?

Many cane webbing projects require soaking the material before installation so it becomes more flexible. Always follow the instructions for the specific cane webbing, spline and adhesive you are using.