Having your outdoor furniture covered doesn’t just protect it, it also can be convenient for you – you can just uncover everything instead of having to clean everything before any occasion.
There are a lot of things to consider before purchasing outdoor furniture covers. Take into consideration whether the company already makes covers that are custom fit to the furniture you bought, the weather of where you live, and your budget. Then, you need to really focus on what matters:
Before spending the money on outdoor furniture covers, make sure to get the proper fit for your furniture size, the materials are durable for your weather, the covers are made to be long-lasting, and it has your budget in mind.
Are you ready for a more detailed explanation? Of course, you are! Let’s go!
A lot of the time, especially for high-end furniture, the manufacturers make covers specifically for their pieces. It’s best to check with the manufacturer to be sure. Otherwise, you’ll need to check the dimensions of your furniture before you buy any covers.
They need to fit in order to protect the furniture and not drag the ground or get caught up by the wind and cause damage.
If the covers don’t fit, they could settle and hold water, dirt, leaves, and debris in them. This could stain the actual furniture or shorten the life of your covers.
Boosts Pro Tip
To measure your outdoor furniture correctly, use the following information:
Square or Rectangular Outdoor Furniture:
Measure the Width, Height, and Depth from the widest points left to right. Depth should be from the front of the seat and extend a bit beyond the back and height should be from the ground to the highest point.
Oval or Circular Outdoor Furniture:
Measure the Diameter and Height. If there are chairs that are part of the outdoor furniture set, you will want to include them in your measurement. The diameter would be measured from end to end across the table and if there are chairs included, should be to the back of the chairs or the widest point. Height would be from the ground to the top of the chair backs or the highest point if no chairs are included.
In case you have no choice but to go with the “universal” sizes of patio furniture coverings, remember that it’s best to err larger than smaller. That way you’re at least covering the furniture and not leaving anything exposed. You need to be careful of drag by folding and tucking away any excess material.
Some people opt for a customized set of furniture covers to ensure they have the perfect fitting covers for their outdoor furniture. If you are looking to pick up some custom outdoor furniture covers then I would recommend getting them from Covers & All.
What to Look Out for in Patio Cover Materials
It’s important to look into what covers are made of and how they are made. These things affect the durability of that cover. Think about the fact that a lot of covers use the terminology “water-resistant” instead of water-proof. Why? Because they might be able to handle a drizzle, but anything more steady or harder/heavier, and your furniture gets wet.
Know your weather, because a light drizzle is not all you have to worry about in most places. Some locations tend to get heavy rain several times a year. Also, think about snow and having a material that won’t let it seep through.
Is the material light or heavy? You’ll see the phrase “heavy-duty” tossed around a lot in the product descriptions. In my opinion, you want to purchase something that is heavy-duty. It means the material is thick and tough and can hold more weight (leaves and snow) as well as ignore damages more readily than other materials.
Anything coated in PVC or a waterproofing agent that is heavy-duty tends to be both sturdy and waterproof.
Water-proof oxford fabric, for instance, is a heavy-weight or heavy-duty material.
The build material that your outdoor furniture is made of will also determine whether you want covers that have a soft-cloth backing. This material protects the furniture from any damage caused by the shifting of the cover.
What Effect Does Craftsmanship Have on Outdoor Furniture Covers?
Are they waterproof or water-resistant? Mildew resistant? UV resistant? It’ll be out in the sun and you don’t need it to deteriorate too fast.
Usually, the top layer will be weatherproof or rain resistant, and the bottom layer will be waterproof – completely waterproof. Waterproof means it’s usually stretched with high-density stitching and a waterproof PVC coating.
Don’t give up the weatherproof qualities of material by getting something that is advertised as “breathable”. Unfortunately, that means it could let moisture in as well as air. Strategically placed vents or proper bottom design helps with that airflow.
Having a breathable vent design incorporated into the cover keeps air flowing between the cover and the chair and should there ever be moisture trapped inside, the airflow can hinder mold and mildew growth.
A vent also allows air to flow through enough to keep the wind from catching the furniture.
You want the covers to be easy or at the very least not difficult to place. So you need to decide what kind of securing method you want – whether those are click-close straps, ratcheting buckles, toggles, or simple tie-straps. Choose something that isn’t difficult for you and your family to remove or place – remember some people have medical issues that cause their grip to be unpredictable.
Staying Within Your Budget for Outdoor Furniture Covers
As always, you’ll need to remember your budget, so we want to cover the best value, not just the most durable. You may simply want something that is budget-friendly and just handles the job for the season.
But if you’ve spent as much on your outdoor furniture as you have on your indoor furniture, why wouldn’t you want to protect it, even if that cost is a bit more than basic? Especially if your furniture doesn’t have any other cover and is subject to the elements all of the time.
Even if you live in an area without a lot of extreme weather, it’s a good idea to keep your outdoor furniture covered when it’s not in use for long periods. Even dew, pollen, and pets or animals can cause damage. You simply may not need to get overly expensive covers if that’s the case.
In Closing
Remember, depending upon your outdoor space, you may be protecting your furniture, not just from the sun, rain, and wind, but from steamy weather, dust, dry weather, dirt, snow, animals, or fallen leaves. So be sure to choose the fit, materials, craftsmanship, and price that works best for you.
"Growing up a country-girl means you enjoy the outdoors as much as possible, and no matter where you go in life, the outdoors is always part of you. I began doing research on things I wanted to do to make my outdoor space my own, no matter where we moved. And that research led me to write this blog to share with you!"
