Every roll is measured before it shipsMade-to-size cane panels, cut to the 1/4 in

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Natural cane webbing by the roll

Cane webbing, also called pressed cane or sheet cane, is natural rattan cane woven by machine into a continuous sheet. It is the seat on many bentwood and mid-century chairs, and the same material now fills cabinet doors, headboards, screens and wall panels.

It goes in one of two ways. On a chair seat or back with a routed groove, you soak the webbing, tap it into the groove and lock it in with reed spline; our seat replacement guide shows each step. On a flat frame such as a cabinet door, you glue and staple it to the back.

Choose the weave first. Open weave is the classic chair look. Square weave reads cleaner and more graphic. Herringbone is closed, so it hides what is behind a door, and diamond weave is a decorative pattern for walls and headboards. The weave guide compares them, and the sample pack lets you hold all four against your furniture.

Then the tone: honey-blond natural, a paler semi-bleached cane for light woods, or walnut-tone for dark frames. Last, the size. Measure the opening groove to groove, add at least 2 in each way, and pick a width and length that covers it. The guide to how much to order shows how to fit several pieces on one roll.

Every roll is measured before it ships. Rattan is a natural material, so color and grain vary a little from roll to roll.

  • Measure the opening groove to groove and add at least 2 in each way.
  • Soak natural webbing in warm water for about 30 minutes; it tightens as it dries.
  • Put the shiny side up or facing out; the duller back goes underneath.
  • Buy enough for the whole project at once, because color varies between rolls.
  • Not sure about the weave? Start with the four-weave sample pack.

Questions

Which weave works best for a chair seat?

Open weave is the traditional choice for pressed seats and backs, and square weave goes in the same way, with spline in a groove. Herringbone is usually glued and stapled behind flat frames such as cabinet doors rather than pressed into a seat.

Can I stain or paint cane webbing?

You can, but the glossy face of rattan cane takes stain unevenly, so try it on an offcut first. If you want a dark look without staining, the walnut-tone square weave comes already stained.

Why are there loose strands at the ends of my roll?

A few loose strands at the cut ends are normal, because the roll is cut from a longer length. Those ends sit outside the groove or behind the frame and are trimmed off when you install.

Will a second roll match the first one?

Not exactly. Natural cane varies in color and grain from roll to roll, so order the whole project at once. For big jobs, a 50 or 100 ft trade roll lets you cut everything from one roll.