What Are Some Sources of Lawn Chair Webbing?

Lawn chair webbing is sometimes referred to as "narrow fabric" and is also called furniture webbing. Aluminum lawn chairs prior to 1990 were designed to use 2 ¼-inch wide webbing and more recent frames require 3-inch webbing. Any type of strapping or webbing can be used on an aluminum lawn chair as long as the width fits the pre-drilled holes on the frame. When searching for webbing use the terms "vinyl strapping"," nylon webbing," "industrial webbing," and "military webbing" to locate the widest variety of product choices.

Replacement Webbing Kits

Purchase lawn chair webbing through businesses selling replacement webbing kits. Vermont Country Store sells kits the company calls a "chair webbing replacement kit". Thermwell Products Co. Inc., also doing business as Frost King, makes a lawn furniture re-webbing kit that is sold in hardware stores and through online retailers. Discount stores and home improvement stores may sell webbing replacement kits on a seasonal basis. Call ahead to make sure they are in stock. Older hardware stores are also good places to check for lawn furniture re-webbing kits.

Webbing Manufacturer

Waltrich Plastic Corp. in Walthourville, Georgia, manufacturers two widths of lawn chair webbing---2 ¼ inches and 3 inches. The webbing is sold in single rolls of 100 yards each, at the cost in 2009 of $10 and $15, respectively, plus shipping. Waltrich has have a wider selection in the 2 ¼ inch product---consider drilling extra holes in the aluminum frame to accommodate the smaller width. Patterns may vary according to the company's manufacturing schedule. A link to the website is provided in the Resources section of this article.

Other Manufacturers

Find webbing manufacturers on the Thomas Register website or through the Thomas Register reference volumes at the local library--ask the reference desk where they are shelved. A link to the website is located in the Resources section of this article. Webbing is sold for belts, upholstery, as medical tape and industrial binding tapes. It is made from nylon, polypropylene, cotton and polyester. Polyester webbing, also called cargo webbing, comes in 3- and 4-inch widths as does polypropylene webbing. Request samples of the product that looks the most promising before purchasing.

Purchase Vintage

Head for auction sites and bid on vintage or retro aluminum lawn chairs to capture original webbing. Occasionally auction sellers will have authentic (meaning vintage) replacement webbing in lengths of 20 feet or so. Cleaning out old sheds, garages and storage units can reveal aluminum chairs with webbing worth rescuing. Search local resale and vintage furniture stores to find frames with webbing still intact.

References

• Thomas Register -- Plastic Webbing
• Replacement Webbing Up For Auction

Resources

• Aluminum Lawn Chairs
• Waltrich Furniture Webbing