Prolonged exposure to rain, snow and cold temperatures can easily cause our furniture to become damaged or even destroyed. As such, protecting our patio furniture from the elements is important, especially during the winter months when we aren’t using it as often. If you’re in the market for patio furniture covers, there are a few things you should know before making your purchase to ensure that your investment in furniture covers lasts as long as possible and provides the highest level of protection. Here are five considerations to keep in mind when selecting a patio furniture cover.
Dimensions of Patio Furniture Covers
Let’s say you would like to make covers for a patio couch and two chairs. How do you figure out what furniture cover sizes to buy? The key is knowing your furniture dimensions. Take out your tape measure, go outside, and measure your pieces of furniture in their entirety—starting from one corner and going around. Measure both the seated height and standing height for each piece of furniture since that might affect its dimensions. After measuring each item, write down their sizes in inches; then add all three together so you can find a product that fits perfectly. If the cover doesn’t fit or won’t stay on, you should be able to return it for a full refund at most stores.
Weather-Resistant Material
Waterproof patio furniture covers are designed to keep moisture and other elements that can cause mold and mildew out of your furniture. Choosing waterproof covers is one of the best ways to ensure your furniture stays in good condition. Patio furniture covers should also protect against UV rays that can cause fading or damage to wood or fabric, so most people will opt for weather-resistant covers. You should choose your patio cover material carefully as something too heavy could affect how long it takes for water to evaporate from underneath the covers after rainstorms.
Breathable Design
The biggest problem with many patio furniture covers is that they aren’t breathable, and this can cause mold and mildew to build upon your furniture. When you have a patio furniture cover made out of vinyl or polyester, it’s especially important to ensure that your design includes areas where air can pass through. Having airflow will not only keep your furniture free from harmful bacteria, but it will also help prevent water damage during rainstorms. Whether you choose a design with grommets and straps is completely up to you, but always ensure that your cover can breathe! You should also consider going with a material such as canvas that allows for natural airflow.
Soft Cloth Backing
How can you tell if a patio furniture cover has a good quality cloth backing? If your cover has a soft cloth backing, it means it will not scratch or rub your furniture’s finish. Like other patio furniture covers, covers with a soft cloth backing will also be able to protect your furniture from rain and sun. While some materials are not resistant to mildew growth, the fabric is easy to clean and doesn’t collect water drops or dust particles. What you’ll have to do is wash your cover more often.
Tie Downs
You should also get tie-downs for your patio furniture covers so that they can be secured to your furniture and will remain in place on windy days. Tie-downs are also important if you’re using the covers for larger furniture, such as an outdoor sofa or lounge chair. Typically, you should get covers with tie-downs that can be secured on both ends of your couch or lounge chair so that the covers can stay firmly in place.