Here’s how to accurately measure your pool furniture before replacing its PVC straps. If you fail to measure the right way it’s likely that they will fail to be tight enough and they will sag and be uncomfortable, or worst case, you may not be well placed to install the straps at all without tearing them.

But first, let’s discuss how NOT to measure the vinylstraps for your restrapping job!

An absolute no-no is to take off one of the straps and use it as the gauge for the new ones. You see, the straps aren’t simply fitted onto the chair frame — they need to be heated and stretched on, so that when they cool off, they tighten to a degree that would not be possible otherwise. Not installing them in this way will make sure that your straps will be saggy.

Having stated that, let us now talk about the right way to do it. There are several steps:

1. Get rid of all remaining old straps. This can sometimes be a little bit difficult to do. Ihave generally found the best way is to use a pair of heavy snips, garden shears, or a well sharpened knife and merely cut them all right along the middle.
2. After cutting the straps, pull out the fasteners. There are a pair of main types of fasteners: plastic buttons and metal clips. The plastic buttons can easily be jerked out by pulling on the cut end of the strap in a jerking motion. Metal clips can generally be slipped off the chair frame, but sometimes you could have to pry them with a screwdriver.
3. Once all remaining straps and fasteners are completely removed, this is the perfect time to clean the furniture frames.
4. Now for the measuring. For this you should use a fabric tape measure, like a dressmaker would use. It is possible to get by with a flexible metal (builder’s) tape measure, but it is a lot easier to do with a cloth tape. Start measuring at the rivet hole on one side of the frame. Then wrap the tape measure round and round frame in the same way as the strap was wrapped. This might indicate you will have to go twice round the frame in the case of double-wrapped strapping. Then continue taking the tape over to the opposite side of the frame and again wrap it the same as the strap was wrapped. The measurement is taken at the rivet hole at this side. For our example, let’s say it was 24″.
5. You’re not quite not through yet! You have got to make allowance for the stretching you have to do. Take about 10% off the original measurement. In our example, 10 percent of 24″ is 2.4″ which I would consider 2-1/2″. Taking this from 24″ leaves 21-1/2″ and that is about how long your straps must be.

Get additional info on the right way to install vinyl strapping and order your strap from our website. There are videos and illustrated guides there to assist you with your vinyl strap project.

Donna Thompson is employed by Pipefine Patio Furniture, which has been in the outdoor furniture business in Florida for over 40 years, both as a manufacturer and retailer. The company sells replacement outside cushionsand patio umbrellas in addition to vinyl straps. This is one of several articles on replacing vinyl straps. Full instructions for properly measuring and installing straps can be found at the firm’s website.