With the right outdoor furniture, you can make your patio an attractive destination for spending quality time. Unfortunately, good-quality outdoor furniture like tables, garden chairs, benches, hammocks, stools, fire pit tables, deck bars, etc. can be quite expensive. Given that the furniture will be exposed to harsh weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, sunlight, and high winds beside the effects of tree sap, pollen, dirt and debris, insects, bird poop, etc., you should get yourself the best covers you can afford.
Important Properties of Outdoor Covers You Need to Consider
Protection from water ingress: The first and foremost consideration is that the cover material should be water-resistant or if you live in a place that receives heavy rains, waterproof. Keep in mind that even though waterproof covers do a better job in keeping the water out, the lack of breathability of the material will mean that moisture will accumulate inside from the condensation of the water vapor. It can easily result in spoiling your furniture unless there are vents provided that can allow the water vapor to escape without letting in the rainwater.
Weight: Even when there are ties and belts provided, lightweight covers can still be blown away by strong winds. Moreover, light materials typically tend to be weaker and tear easily. While a heavy material like canvas can give good protection, if the cover is too heavy, you will find it difficult to put in on properly without assistance or remove it and fold it away when the furniture is in use. It is the reason why materials like polyester are popular for covers because they deliver superior performance, but their weight is less.
Size and shape: When you have furniture of various shapes and sizes, it can be tempting to settle for a one-size-fits-all solution to avoid the hassle of measuring each piece. However, this will lead to sub-optimal protection as the patio furniture covers will not fit snugly, and it is easy for both wind and water to get inside. It is better to measure the height, width, and depth of each piece and buy covers of the appropriate size. Most of the reputable manufacturers carry a wide range of sizes, so finding the right model should not be a problem. Asking for the manufacturer’s guidelines can help you to choose the right size, according to https://www.huffingtonpost.ca.
Materials: The ideal cover for outdoor furniture will give adequate protection from rain but be breathable, durable, as well as lightweight, and affordable. The pricing of the covers depends a lot on the quality of the material. Plastic covers are the cheapest but may not last even one season, while treated polyester is the most popular among premium covers. Not only is it water-resistant, but also it breathes and can be treated in many ways to give it additional performance like resistance to mildew and mold, fire, UV radiation, and more.
Conclusion
Buying a good-quality cover for your patio furniture can be quite easy if you know what to look out for. While you will want all-round performance, the trick is to focus on the weather and other factors in your area that make your furniture more susceptible to damage.
