Outdoor waterproof patio covers are important to help extend the life of your outdoor furniture. Even though you may be comfortable leaving your patio furniture unprotected during the warmer months, the truth is each season of the year poses different threats to your outdoor furniture. Morning dew and insect pollination during Spring, that un-forcasted shower or intense sun in Summer, the weight of Autum leaves and snow during the Winter months, all leave you outdoor furniture exposed differently.
When choosing a cover for your outdoor patio furniture, it is important to understand the components that make the cover strong enough to withstand the varing elements.
Here’s what to look for when choosing covers for your outdoor furniture:
Material
When looking for outdoor furniture covers, be sure to choose a strong and durable fabric that will withstand the elements of every season. A canvas material may be thick and lasting; however, if you live in an area that experiences heavy rain, a canvas cover may be susceptible to leakage and can cause detrimental water damage to your furniture. Another material used for furniture covers is a waterproof polyester blend. Although you may feel that you are saving money by investing in a less expensive fabric, cheap polyester becomes brittle in extreme temperatures and cracks, exposing your furniture to the elements.For ultimate waterproof protection during each season, look for outdoor furniture covers made from multilayered and nonwoven fabrics. This material is extremely breathable while also being waterproof and providing optimal UV protection. Additionally, look for a material that is easy to clean and store, as you want to make sure that your investment will protect your patio furniture for several seasons to come.
Size
Just as it’s important to select the right material for the covers, it is equally important to be certain you have invested in the correct cover size. A majority of retail stores have samples available to give you a range of what is offered, and many manufacturers offer consulting in custom sizing. California-based Couverture, for example, keeps a library of patterns for hundreds of pieces of designer brand outdoor furniture and can also create a new pattern made from your measurements.Before making any purchases, be sure to measure your furniture, especially the configuration of a table and chairs set where the size might vary considerably from what you’d expect. A cover that is too small will not provide adequate protection while a cover that is too big will have extra material that can sag or get picked up by the wind, allowing rain and debris to find its way in.