Why webbing is essential for upholstering chairs and sofas
Are you an enthusiastic DIYer or hobby upholsterer looking to refurbish classic furniture? Then you know: upholstering furniture always starts with a good foundation. Whether you want to upholster a chair, upholster a sofa, or repair old furniture — you won't get anywhere without strong webbing.
Webbing is also sometimes called straps or even cinders or cinder tape by those unfamiliar with the trade terms. They form the foundation under the seat and provide support and seating comfort. This makes them indispensable in every furniture upholstery workshop, as well as for home projects.
The difference between jute webbing, rubber webbing, and elastic webbing
Are you going to make furniture or upholster chairs yourself? Then you can choose from different types of webbing:
✅ Classic jute webbing
These are sturdy straps woven from natural jute fibers. They are virtually non-stretchable, making them ideal for classic furniture or firm seating. Think of antique chairs or nostalgic armchairs. With jute webbing, you maintain that authentic sturdiness and appearance. Due to their sturdiness and lack of spring and stretch, these webbings are excellently suited as a base for coil springs or spring interiors to serve. Today, mainly AA-quality (see photo) and A-quality are supplied and used in the Netherlands; until the end of the last century, a wider range of qualities was available on the market.
✅ Solid rubber webbing
Just after the middle of the last century, the first variant of elastic webbing was developed. Made of rubber, it is known by names such as 'Solid Rubber Webbing', 'Pirelli Webbing' (after the manufacturer and patent holder), or 'Canvas Webbing'. The latter sounds somewhat illogical but relates to how the webbing is constructed. To give the webbing strength, the rubber is cast around an open mesh of canvas fabric that stretches with the webbing where necessary. Without this mesh, the webbing would have a rather short lifespan, as it would be easy to tear.
Pirelli webbing came and comes in black and beige. The choices are quite limited nowadays, as this webbing is not used much anymore. Even in restoration work, it is not always chosen to maintain it.
In its heyday, the tape came in various widths, usually supplied on a roll. A certain fixed size of webbing was also made, pieces about 50m long, with a thickening at both ends. This thickening was inserted into a groove at the top of the seat or back rail. A wood screw was then screwed through it so that the webbing could no longer slip out of place. Unfortunately, a different solution must always be found for restoration work, as these webbings are no longer available.
✅ Elastic webbing
Modern webbing is often made of polyester woven around a rubber core. They are resilient and provide wonderful seating comfort. Perfect for modern chairs and sofas, or if you prefer a slightly softer seat. The lifespan of elastic webbing has also significantly improved compared to solid rubber webbing. While with solid rubber webbing the rubber is directly exposed to air and daylight, the rubber of the elastic webbing is completely encapsulated. Therefore, it will dry out and lose its elasticity much less quickly than its predecessor.
Upholster furniture yourself? Here's how to start
Are you going to repair your chair or upholster furniture? Always start by checking (or replacing) the webbing. Old straps may be slack or broken. Stretch new straps firmly over the frame, cross them (weave) where possible for extra strength, and enjoy a seat that will last for years to come.
After that, you can continue with upholstering chairs, for example, with beautiful upholstery fabrics. This way, you give your furniture a second life cheaply and can save a lot on buying sofas.
If you want to better orient yourself on which webbing to use and how to attach it, you can download the free DIY manuals here for upholstering furniture with both a classic and a modern interior design.
Make your furniture as good as new again
Upholstering a chair or upholstering a sofa yourself is not only economical, but it's also incredibly fun to do. You save money, rescue classic furniture from the landfill, and will soon have a unique result. This way, your home becomes even more personal.
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About the author: This article was written by Wout Meilink jr., an upholsterer since 1995 in the family business founded in 1938 by his great-uncles. From this rich tradition, he combines craftsmanship with a passion for guiding DIY enthusiasts and hobby upholsterers. Over the years, he and his team have trained more than 15 apprentice upholsterers and guided countless students and DIYers in reupholstering their furniture. Wout is happy to share his knowledge to help others give their furniture a new lease on life affordably, professionally, and sustainably. Curious about the materials you can use yourself? Then check out our range of furniture parts, upholstery materials, and maintenance products in the webshop.
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