WOVEN CANE & PRESSED CANE SEATS

Cane is a natural material that should be protected to enhance it's longevity.  Avoid any conditions that can cause it to dry out and become brittle, such as direct sunlight, heater ducts, and the heat from fireplaces and woodstoves.   It is important that any finish that is applied be able to "breath", to ensure that enough moisture is retained to keep your seat supple.  While it has become popular to paint wicker and some other woven seats, the price you will pay is a seat that will have a shorter lifespan than it otherwise would have had.  Urethane can also have the same unfortunate affect.

While the old-fashioned seats in this country used to be woven from white oak, ash or hickory, the more common materials now are made from rattan vines which grow in Southeast Asia.  Cane, reed, splints and wicker are all derived from the rattan vine, each with it's own characteristic look and feel. 

Cane is the outer bark, or peel, of the vine, with a shiny surface on one side.  It works well for weaving chairs that have holes around the edge for hand weaving in a seven-step process.  It is also available in large sheets of prewoven  or "pressed" cane for use in chairs with a groove around the edge, and is held in place with a spline.  Wider pieces, called Binder Cane, are often used to weave patterns on porch rockers and other chairs that have 4 rungs.  Only the underside of cane can absorb moisture.  You can help to extend the life of your cane seats by using a little lemon oil on the underside of the cane (ie on the non-shiny side!)  If the caned seat starts to sag, you can sometimes regenerate it by dampening the underside of the cane with hot water and a sponge, being careful to not get the wood wet.  Let it dry naturally for 24 hours before anyone sits in it.  Often this will tighten the cane up nicely!  (If the seat is allowed to become saggy, the strands can rub against the wood edges of the seat, causing them to break more easily!)

Remember, never allow anyone to stand or kneel on a woven seat.  They just aren't made for that kind of pressure in one spot!  And don't allow anyone to sit on your chairs with sharp things in their pockets that could cut the seat!  If you take excellent care of your woven seats, they will last for years and years!

SPLINT & REED

Splint and reed are made from the inner wood of the vine.  They come in various widths which can be woven into many different patterns.  It is generally recommended to apply shellac to these seats to help protect them from dirt and stains, and to enhance their beauty.  Shellac is available in "clear" and "amber". 

Seats can also be enhanced and protected by applying oil based stain, topped with a spray clear coat. 

These products remain flexible and "breathable", helping to extend the life of your seats.  If desired, you can refresh the seat with a new coat of shellac every few years, but I have not found it necessary to do this on my own chairs yet.

As with Cane, it is important to keep these seats away from direct heat sources such as heater ducts, fire places and wood stoves, and out of direct sunlight.  Also, do not leave them out in the weather as they will be ruined by exposure to the elements.

RUSH

Fiber Rush seats are made from a very strong twisted paper, which looks somewhat similar to rope.  It is important to seal fiber rush with shellac to protect them from dirt, stains, and water damage.  Definitely do not leave them out in the weather, or they will be damaged.

Natural Rush is made from twisted seagrass, which gives it a strong rope-like appearance.  (In times past dried leaves were twisted together during the weaving process.)   It should be kept away from heat sources to help maintain it's longevity.