Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the process involved, how to calculate the cost yourself and how to care for your cane chair in the long-term to prolong its life.
What types of chairs can you repair?
I specialize in cane and rush weaving using traditional methods. This includes 'pressed' cane (pre-woven cane sheet), hand twisted rush and pre-twisted rush plus other similar cords.
I DO NOT mend fake plastic cane garden furniture.
I don't repair wicker either. Wicker is commonly mistaken for cane but is much more of a basketry skill (think Lloyd Loom). I can recommend someone who has these other skills.
What materials do you use for repairs?
I always order in fresh rattan and rush specifically for your chair. Quality is extremely important. The weaving process puts the cane through quite a lot of stress so the last thing any weaver wants is a length of cane snapping during weaving; it's very time consuming to unweave a broken strand so you can rest assured that your chair will be repaired with a top quality product.
Can I see examples of your previous work?
Absolutely. I have a gallery of previous repair projects. You can visit the gallery page to view these and there are more on my facebook profile (click on the link at the bottom of this page)
How long does it typically take to repair a rattan chair?
The time required for rattan chair repairs can vary depending on the size of the chair and the complexity of the weaving required. Generally, repairs may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. A bergere tub chair can take approx' 3 weeks whereas a small bedroom chair would typically take 3 days, plus an additional 2-3 days for the fresh cane to be delivered. Every chair is different but once I have seen yours I can give you an approximate timeline.
How much will it cost to repair my chair?
You can easily calculate the cost yourself. Most canework is priced per peg hole (the holes drilled through the frame that the cane is passed through).
I currently charge £1.80 per peg hole. Count the peg holes around the edge of the panel that needs replacing and multiply the total with £1.80.
Example: 86 peg holes x £1.80 = £154.80.
In the case of bergere chairs where the arms and the back are also caned and share peg holes with the seat, each panel is counted separately, therefore the holes where the back and the arms meet the seat and/or the arms meet the back, those holes will be counted twice.
Rush seating and pressed cane is priced at £1 per square inch. Take the measurement across the centre of the seat from front to back and side to side to the nearest inch. Calculate the square inch total and multiply by £1.
Example: Length 14" x width 13" = 182 x £1 =£182.... EASY!
I hope my instructions make sense. If you are unsure, just call me or email a clear photo of the damaged panel and I will assist you with this.
How long will the new seat last?
With reasonable care your chair can last for over 30 years. However, being a natural product its lifespan will vary depending on its use and the environment. For example, it is incredibly strong for its purpose of being sat on but if a child stands on it or climbs on it using a knee, it may break.
How do I care for my cane seat in the long term?
1. Keep cane chairs and furniture away from extreme heat and low humidity.
These conditions could cause the cane to dry out and become brittle and break. Also direct sunlight and heater ducts are areas to be avoided. Consider using a whole room dehumidifier in the winter which can be especially helpful to keep the air moist and not too dry. Using a high-oil content furniture polish product when you dust helps to keep the cane supple, too. Lemon oil, orange oil, or mineral oil (use sparingly) applied to both the top and bottom of the cane seat a few times a year is usually sufficient.
2. Distribute the weight evenly on the seat.
A cane seat is intended to take evenly distributed weight of the person sitting on the seat, not concentrated weight, like a knee or foot, so NEVER kneel on a cane seat or use it as a ladder or step stool. Doing so will cause the cane strands to break and the seat will need to be rewoven prematurely.
3. Is your cane seat sagging?
Cane has natural elastic properties but eventually, the caned seat will begin to sag with heavy or prolonged use. It is important to tighten the cane or it will begin to wear and break along the inside edge of the seat frame, both on the sides and front and back edges. Cane seats that are not too badly stretched or that are free of broken strands, can be revived by turning the chair upside-down and applying a warm, wet cloth to the underside of the cane seat. Let the cloth and cane dry naturally overnight. Remove the cloth and turn chair upright and don’t let anyone sit on it for at least 48 hours. This treatment will dry and shrink the cane again, tightening it up in the process, taking the pressure off the inside wooden edges. This tightening process is most effective when used regularly within the first five years of re-caning and won’t work at all if there are several broken strands. Using this preventative method three or four times a year should be sufficient to help prolong the life of your cane seat chair for many years.
4. To prolong the life of your caned seat, the use of a cushion is encouraged.
This especially pertains to large chairs with a seat diameter of greater than 14 inches. A chair pad or cushion will distribute the weight evenly and take the pressure off the individual strands of cane, thus making them last longer.
5. Keep seats clean, free of dust, dirt and grime.
Clean grimy or dirty cane seats with a wood soap or mild detergent in warm water, using a soft cloth or perhaps a soft bristle brush. Take care not to damage the wood surface with the water. Rinse well and then let the seat dry naturally on a warm, windy day to eliminate the possibility of mildew setting in which will damage and stain the cane. Do not sit on the seat for at least 48 hours otherwise the cane will stretch out of shape.
6. Cane furniture storage and usage tips.
Do not store or use cane or wicker furniture in high humidity areas or in wet areas where mold and mildew can present a problem. Basements, up next to a wall or on the porch pushed up next to the wall of the house where the furniture does not get adequate air circulation are places to avoid.
Do you need photos of my chair?
YES PLEASE! Occasionally I'm presented with a chair that has issues requiring additional skills so it's helpful to see what is required before you and I come to an arrangement.
Please send photos directly to my email address on the contact page as you are unable to attach photos through the contact form. I will need at least 3 photos. A square on photo of the damaged panel, another of the underside/back of the panel and a photo of the whole chair.
My chair is a bit wobbly, can you fix that too?
No I can't. If your chair has loose joints or any damage, it will need the frame restoring first. I need the frame to be solid before I start. I work alongside a fabulous restorer based in Yeovil that I can recommend if required.
I always give the frame a clean and polish as the old cane harbours a lot of dust and dirt. If there is any evidence of woodworm, I will also thoroughly treat it before it enters my workshop for obvious reasons!
Does the cane have a final finish?
No need for final finish treatments on newly rewoven cane seats.
Because chair cane has a naturally glossy finish, traditionally cane seats are left unfinished to allow the cane to absorb moisture in the air and remain flexible, expanding and contracting. Although cane will darken with age on its own to a nice honey-brown golden colour, it will take several years to achieve this. If you feel you must apply some sort of finish, high oil content furniture products can be used successfully; lemon oil, orange oil and mineral oil.
The preferred method is to leave a cane seat in its natural state, without adding any final finish products.
How long does the chair caning repair process take?
The duration of the chair caning repair process can vary depending on the complexity of the repair and the availability of materials. Typically, you can expect the process to take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. However, I strive to keep you informed throughout the process and will provide an estimated timeline once I've assessed your chair.