If you have invested in garden furnishing then an outdoor patio furniture cover should be next on your list of purchases. Patio furniture is expensive and not something you want to have to replace too often. By taking care of your furnishings you can preserve them helping your investment to last for years. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions i.e. stain the wood if recommended and follow the storage care guide.
Measure your outdoor patio furniture a few times!
When picking the right type of cover you will need to be careful to measure your furniture so you can pick the right size. It pays to measure up a couple of times so you don’t waste your time or money buying unsuitable items. You want covers that protect the furniture against the elements and also wear and tear. Therefore it is important to select the right fit. Some people think that they can just throw an old sheet over the pieces and hope for the best. With a little bit of wind, this covering will blow away leaving your furniture exposed. Yu need covers that not only fit well but are also designed for use in the climate you live in. If you live in a very humid area you will want to choose mesh covers to keep the air flowing between the furniture and the protective covering. Otherwise you are just inviting an attack of mold.
Will outside furniture cover patio umbrellas do the job?
The short answer to this question is no! Patio umbrellas are great at providing some shade on hot sunny days but while they protect an area of the table from the sun’s rays they do not usually provide sufficient protection for the entire patio set. Generally they are unsuitable for use in the rain and when it is windy they should be folded down. So by all means add a patio umbrella to your furniture set but use it properly.
Where can you find a swimming patio furniture cover?
As items near to the swimming pool are more at risk of chlorine and bleach damage than furniture sitting on a green lawn you need to make sure you are buying covers that protect against these substances. Don’t spend too much on them as they are going to get bleached and stained. So long as they protect either the wicker or wood underneath they are perfect for the job in hand. You should be able to find these covers in your local garden store or Home Depot. Failing that find a pool supplier in your area and ask them to recommend somewhere.
There are so many different shops selling outdoor garden furniture covers so it pays to shop around. You can find great deals particularly if you shop off season. If you are not too worried about color or patterns you could look in your local outlet stores to find some bargains. If you enjoy shopping online you will find many of the larger stores run sales and often the sale price is less than 50% of the regular price.
When shopping, look for outdoor patio furniture grill covers as well. People often forget that the grill needs protecting from the elements especially if it is not portable so cannot be moved indoors. A grill cover should be flame proof and you can find ones to match the outdoor patio furniture cover if you wish.
Some people will look for a free patio furniture cover but be careful relying on these items. In this business you tend to get what you pay for. Don’t put your investment in garden furniture at risk by penny pinching at this stage.
When looking for outdoor table covers there are a couple of features you would expect to see. The better ones will have actual locks to help secure the cover onto the furniture so it doesn’t blow off on windy days. These locks can be either click –close straps, zippers or just plain Velcro. In addition an adjustable elastic hem cord is a great idea as it means that the patio furniture covers will be a tighter fit preventing rain or snow from leaking inside. Finally you want to look for a material that doesn’t crack in cold weather especially if you live in an area that experiences the occasional flurry of snow. Obviously if you live in an area that suffers extreme winters you should be storing your outdoor table indoors and not relying on outdoor furniture covers to protect it.
How do you measure outdoor table covers?
Be careful when choosing the size of outdoor table cover. You need to think about what will be covered. Most people just measure the table and then wonder why the outside table covers do not cover the entire suite of furniture. You have two options. You can buy individual outdoor chair covers for each seat and cover the table separately. Or you can push the chairs into the table and measure the whole set and buy the size that will protect the entire suite in one go.
Be careful to buy the right size and shape for your patio set. There is nothing worse than walking out into your garden after a storm to be greeted by a huge pool of water sitting in the middle of your table cover. This can happen if you have high backed chairs in your patio set and have tried to cover them using the same cover as the table. In this case you would probably be better having separate outdoor patio furniture covers for each item.
Outdoor furniture covers don’t just protect against the weather
When shopping for outdoor table covers you will probably come across a range of products that wouldn’t protect your garden furniture in the rain or snow. These outdoor table cloths are designed for entertaining guests rather than protecting furniture. Some people are happy for their guests to eat from an undecorated table as they are out on the patio. Others prefer to decorate using outdoor tablecloths. The correct presentation will make the meal look better. It will also help with the clearing up as you can usually put the cloth into the washing machine if anyone spills their drink or food.
If you are using your garden for a special event you can find often find outdoor party supplies on special offer if you shop on the internet. You can totally transform your outside space with a little creativity and a small budget.
When choosing your outdoor table covers don’t go on looks alone. White ones may look fantastic in the store but how long do you think they will retain their brightness when used outdoors? It is more important that they are crack and sun resistant although it does help if they also look attractive.
It may sound obvious but if you buy table covers make sure you use them. It doesn’t matter if the skies look clear. If there has been a weather warning put the square outdoor table covers on so if it does rain your furniture is protected. You don’t want to try sitting on wet wood, wicker or plastic do you?
Look after your outdoor table covers by following the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to cleaning and repairing them.
If you have yet to invest in an outdoor table cover you should put it on your shopping list today. It is amazing how often people will spend a lot of money on their patio furniture only to leave it at the mercy of the elements when the weather changes. It doesn’t matter if the pieces you bought were described as weather resistant or not. Well made and beautifully crafted furniture may be resistant to most bad weather but it certainly doesn’t hurt to give them added protection by putting on a table cover.
But it isn’t just the weather that you have to worry about. If you are going to be eating at your outdoor table it makes sense to protect the wood or plastic from damage by first covering the table. It can also add atmosphere to a meal if you are celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a romantic evening for two.
Outdoor furniture covers come in a range of materials. The type that you choose will depend on your budget, where you live and your personal taste. If you live in an area of extreme temperatures and own expensive patio furniture set you may want to store them in the garage for the winter months.
The type of cover you buy will depend to a large extent on the shape and size of the table. You can buy an outside table cover that ties underneath which are helpful as it stops the wind blowing them away. You still need to pick the right size as if it is too big, the wind will go under the cover and may generate sufficient force to blow the furniture piece over. Alternatively you can buy the ones that are a perfect fit for the furniture piece and hope that they do not shrink.
The materials you can choose from will include vinyl or polyester. If buying vinyl try to buy the ones with built in air vents as sometimes wrapping a furniture piece in vinyl can cause mold and other problems if there is insufficient aeration. This is less of a problem with polyester as it is a naturally breathable fabric.
How much does an outdoor table top cover cost?
Generally outdoor table covers are not very expensive. You can find ones ranging from $20 upwards. The price will be dictated by the size, shape and the materials the cover is made from. You can buy readymade covers in a variety of sizes and shapes. If you have a standard size round or oval table you should be able to find sizes to suit. If you have an unusual shape or size you may have to buy a custom fit either from the furniture manufacturer or by employing someone to make the covers for you but this will work out more expensive than buying them ready made. Of course if you are handy with a sewing machine you could always look at making some.
If you have children, using machine washable table covers is a great way to keep your patio furniture in great condition while at the same time allowing your kids to enjoy the great outdoors. Children love picnics and will often eat more food and of different varieties then when sitting at the usual dinner table. But kids and mess go hand in hand so if you don’t want your wooden patio table stained with juice or covered in crumbs, cheap and cheerful protective covers are a great thing to own.
Don’t be worried about not being able to find the perfect outdoor table covers. They are in plentiful supply either via the internet or in your local hardware store.
