The Best Materials for Outdoor Furniture Covers

HarborTime Edge has been part of our lineup for years and it continues to be a great option in the mid-tier price range. It's a polyester fabric with a light vinyl coating on both sides, and that coating is what gives it excellent water resistance. The increased water resistance makes it a great option for places that see rain and snow.

This fabric works great in the Midwest and other regions that experience cold, snowy winters. This is also a favorite in Florida, where heavy rain is almost a daily occurrence. This fabric isn't too heavy making this a great option for covers of all sizes. Everything from lounge chair covers to sectional covers work well with this fabric.

The Edge technology of this fabric also keeps internal temperatures lower when in direct sun, a great feature to prevent any sort of heat related damages to your outdoor furniture.

Recsystem is a new addition to our 2026 lineup, and we brought it on for a specific reason. Customers wanted the increased water-resistance HarborTime Edge offers, without the shine. It's an acrylic fabric with a resin coating on the back side, and offers a clean matte finish that a lot of people prefer aesthetically.

What's interesting about Recsystem is it actually beats HarborTime Edge in water resistance, while also being more breathable. It handles snow and rain exceptionally well thanks to its high water-resistance, but it's also breathable and UV-protective enough for sunnier regions. With many concerned about leaving their cushions on their furniture over the winter, this fabric brings peace of mind knowing it is protected.

We see it working well across virtually every state. Just know that it is not waterproof and heavy rain could likely cause some water to get through. The good thing is because it's breathable, anything that gets by will dry quickly.

WeatherMax 80 is a strong and lightweight fabric with excellent UV resistance. It's the best choice at this tier when sun is your main concern.

This isn't our go-to recommendation for areas that see a lot of rain or snow. Instead, it really shines in dry climates like Arizona, New Mexico, or Southern California, where UV exposure is a bigger concern. If you're looking for a strong, breathable fabric that will shield against UV and keep your furniture safe, this is a great option.

Sunbrella Marine is our most popular fabric by far, and if you've spent time searching outdoor covers you've likely come across the Sunbrella name. It's definitely earned its reputation. As a premium acrylic fabric, it has an exceptional balance between water resistance, breathability, and UV protection. It's a fabric we confidently recommend across the country, regardless of the climate.

It's worth being transparent about one thing: during a heavy rainstorm, some water can still work its way through. What makes Sunbrella Marine stand out is how well it handles that. It's highly breathable, so things dry quickly underneath. This helps prevent mildew and moisture buildup that damages patio furniture over time. This also makes it a great option for humid climates as well! It's also a colorfast fabric, meaning it retains its color in any climate without fading.

And with over 73 color options, it's by far the most flexible choice if matching your outdoor aesthetic matters to you. For instance, resorts and hotels ordering custom chaise lounge covers for their pool want to keep a premium look even when covering their furniture. The color options allow them to order covers in colors that match their color palette, keeping a pristine look to their outdoor space.

Another great option we have in the premium tier is our first waterproof fabric, Recwater. This fabric was made to compete with SeaMark, a fabric you'll read about next. It has an acrylic (canvas like) exterior and a vinyl backing just like SeaMark. This thicker and more durable fabric excels in wintertime climate by repelling almost all water.

The one thing to note is we typically don't recommend this fabric for really large items. For example, a u-shaped outdoor sectional cover made from Recwater will be a very heavy cover and hard to put on. In cases like that we would recommend a slightly lighter fabric like Stamoid Light (if it must be waterproof).

While the fabric only comes in two color options, is a great option if you are wanting the waterproofness of SeaMark without paying the same price tag. While it may not last quite as long, it is still a great option.

SeaMark is also made by Sunbrella and represents a step up in both price and weather protection. It is a two-ply fabric with a canvas outside and a vinyl backing, making it a fully waterproof fabric. It's known for its durability, premium feel, and its amazing performance in places that experience heavy snow and harsh winters. An added bonus is it comes in 13 color options.

If you want the best custom patio furniture covers, this is the fabric to go with. It's our most popular fabric alongside Sunbrella Marine and is a go-to option for many of the design studios we work with.

Stamoid Light is also fully waterproof but unlike the canvas exterior of SeaMark, Stamoid Light is known as a decorative vinyl and has a sleek finish on both sides. It has a modern look that a lot of customers like over the "canvas" feel of our other options.

It is also a very popular option in areas that experience snow like Illinois, New York, and Michigan, thanks to its waterproofness. It is also a very popular option in Florida and Northern California where you might need to throw covers on quickly before a rainstorm and pull them right back off again. It's lightweight enough that putting the covers on and off doesn't feel like a hassle.