How to Get the Right Measurement Before Ordering Your Replacement Vinyl Straps

Correct Strap Measurement is Essential

When replacing vinyl straps on outdoor furniture, it is critical that you measure accurately and perform the correct calculations for optimum strap length. Why? Because if the straps are too long, they will sag. If they're too short, they will be difficult to install, and may even warp the chair frame!

What Method of Strapping is Used on Your Furniture?

The first step is to know whether your furniture is single wrapped or double wrapped. How can you tell?

It's easy - if you can see the fasteners holding the straps in place at the back of the chair frame, it is single wrapped. If the fasteners are covered over by the strap, it is double wrapped.

How to Measure for Single Wrapped Straps

Step 1: You must use a flexible tape measure for accuracy. Starting at the hole on one side of the frame, thread the tape measure around the frame in the same path that the strap will take. Extending it to the other side of the frame, wrap it around the frame in the same way, and obtain the measurement to the hole on this side.

Step 2: Deduct 10% from the measurement obtained in step 1. Then round to the nearest 1/2 inch. This is the length you will order, if ordering pre-cut straps, or that you will cut each strap to off the roll.

One word of caution: if the measurement from step 1 is less than 20", be careful about reducing this too much. The shorter the strap, the less it will stretch (as a percentage), so go for the longer side of the reduction so it will be a bit longer than 90% of the measured length. The reverse applies for longer straps.

Let's do some examples...
If your measurement is 24", ten percent is 2.4" so extend this a little and take off 2½", so your straps need to be 21½" long.
If your measurement is 20", ten percent of that is 2", so your straps need to be 18" long.
If your measurement is 18", ten percent is 1.8" so reduce this a little and take off 1½" - they need to be 16½" long.

Please read the full installation instructions for single wrapped straps before proceeding further.

How to Measure for Double Wrapped Straps

Step 1 is exactly the same as for single wrapped straps, above.

Step 2: The ideal length for double wrapped straps is a little "fuzzy". You will need to add around 6" to the measurement you obtained in step 1. However, we strongly recommend that you install one strap before cutting any more.

For this reason, we recommend that you do NOT order pre-cut straps when double wrapping. Please read the full installation instructions for double wrapped straps before ordering.