Brown Jordan patio furniture: straps, lace and slings

Brown Jordan was founded in Pasadena, California in 1945 by Robert Brown and Hubert Jordan, and it made some of the best-known strap and lace designs in American outdoor furniture: the Kantan lounge chair, designed by Tadao Inouye in 1956 with an aluminum frame and vinyl straps, and Tamiami, Hall Bradley’s 1950s design with diagonally laced vinyl straps. Both were reissued in 2015. Vintage and current pieces alike wear out their straps and lace long before their frames. We are independent, not a Brown Jordan dealer or service center.

What fails first on Brown Jordan furniture

• Vinyl straps and lace. On strap and lace designs, the vinyl is the wear part. Sun and heat stiffen it until it cracks. See vinyl strap restrapping and brittle straps.
• Slings. Brown Jordan sling pieces sag and split like any PVC-coated mesh in full sun. See sling replacement.
• Finish. Powder coat chalks over the years. See powder coating and refinishing.
• Glides and hardware. Brown Jordan’s care guide tells owners to inspect frames, joints and hardware at the start of each season, and its warranty treats chair feet as wear parts.

Laced and diagonal patterns

Diagonal and laced patterns like Tamiami’s are the most labor-intensive strap work there is, because every run crosses others and the pattern has to come out even. That is why laced pieces are quoted after we see them rather than from the standard strap table. Send a clear photo of the full seat and back.

What Brown Jordan’s care guide says

• Aluminum frames: soft cloth or brush, mild soap and water, rinse and dry; clear automotive wax two to three times a year.
• Slings: mild soap and water for light stains; a quality outdoor furniture cleaner for mildew or heavier stains.
• Vinyl straps and lacing: mild soap and water with a soft cloth, a vinyl protectant applied regularly against UV and mildew, rubbing alcohol for stubborn stains.
• Avoid chlorine-based cleaners on woven vinyl, and abrasive tools.
• Sunscreen and suntan products can permanently stain slings and vinyl, and that is not covered under warranty.

Typical Brown Jordan repair prices

Same ranges as the pricing page.

Vintage pieces

Mid-century Brown Jordan frames are often still sound decades on. If you want an original color restored, tell us when you quote: strap colors come in dozens of options and we will show you the closest. A full refinish in a period color is a powder coat job.

Brown Jordan’s residential warranty

We found Brown Jordan’s residential limited warranty for purchases after September 30, 2014 (North American continent). In short:

Chair feet are treated as wear parts, not part of the frame. The fabric coverage excludes labor and installation costs, and damage from chemicals, cleaning products and sun lotions. Both the fabric and the strap terms also say they do not cover deterioration due to “extreme heat or sunlight”, which is worth knowing in Tucson. A receipt is required, some claims need photographs, and Brown Jordan says a pro-rated charge may apply. It is a residential warranty and does not apply to commercial use. If your set is newer, read it before paying for repair.

Brown Jordan care, in our words

Brown Jordan asks owners to wax the aluminum with clear automotive wax two to three times a year, more often in humid or coastal climates and to store cushions and textiles somewhere cool and dry. For vinyl straps and lace it suggests regular vinyl protectant, mild soap for routine cleaning and rubbing alcohol for stubborn marks.

Getting a quote

Send front, side and seat-underside photos, and the collection name if you know it (Kantan, Tamiami or another).