Category Archives: Backyard & Patio Living

 

As the weather turns intensely cold in winter or hot in summer, enjoying time on your patio can be unbearable. Before retreating inside for the rest of the season, be sure to protect your investment by covering your furniture with outdoor furniture covers, also known as patio furniture covers. Severe weather conditions like wind, rain, sleet, snow, hail, ice, and even blazing summer sun can significantly damage outdoor patio furniture over time. Covering your furniture with outdoor covers can significantly extend the life of your wood, metal, or all-weather wicker patio furniture. Not just any outdoor furniture covers will do, though. Selecting the best covers means considering the material with which the covers are made, the size of your own patio furniture pieces, and any special features you may desire. Here are some ways you can choose the best patio furniture covers.

Choosing Materials

Low-grade patio furniture covers may last only one or two seasons because they are often made with cheaper vinyl or plastic. These inferior materials are not constructed to withstand extreme temperatures. High quality covers can be constructed from a variety of materials, but there are a few critical qualities you should insist upon before making a decision. Outdoor furniture covers should be made of a durable waterproof and UV resistant material that can hold up beautifully against extreme temperatures and weather conditions, both hot and cold, without being compromised. Also, covers should be lightweight so that they are easy to use and easy to store when not in use. Some covers are backed with a soft cloth material to help prevent anything from scratching delicate furniture surfaces, which is a necessary component if your patio furniture sits near any trees that may drop small branches or other debris throughout the changing seasons.

Choosing the Right Size

Low quality patio furniture covers usually fit poorly and provide just a few basic sizes. Many high quality covers come in standard sizes, too, but a larger range of shape and size options are on hand. If the dimensions of the furniture covers do not exactly match the dimensions of your specific furniture pieces, the solution is not to purchase the next largest or next smallest size. The best choice would be to purchase custom fit patio furniture covers. Even though they may be more expensive, custom fit covers are actually the best buy when standard sizes don’t fit. Because custom covers fit your specific furniture pieces exactly, they will certainly provide the most suitable protection for your furniture through many seasons. Outdoor furniture covers that are too small will not provide adequate protection because parts of the furniture are exposed to the elements. Covers that are too large can act like balloons on a windy day, inflating with air and, more than likely, blowing completely off of the furniture. Additionally, patio furniture covers that are too large have excess material that can sag and allow moisture to collect on rainy and snowy days. Standing water attracts mosquitoes and other pests in summer, and, if not removed, standing water can stain or mildew the cover. In addition, standing water can freeze in winter, which can cause significant damage to the cover’s material.

Optional Features

Although not necessary for adequate performance, most high quality outdoor furniture covers come with special features which can bring added value to the purchase. Some special features you may find include elastic hems, Velcro closures, zipper closures, leg ties, and even built-in storage pockets which help covers remain clean and tidy while stored away. Piping along the seams is an attractive feature with the practical function of directing water off of covers. Some outdoor furniture covers are incorporated with air vents which decrease the condensation build up that can form underneath the covers. Air vents can also help prevent outdoor furniture covers from catching too much air during especially windy days. Spending a little bit more time at first to find the best material and the appropriate sizing for your outdoor furniture covers will pay off in the long run. By covering your outdoor patio furniture properly, you will ensure a long life for your furniture. Otherwise, choosing lower end covers now will most likely result in having to spend more money later to replace poor quality furniture covers that do not survive more than a year or two.

Wrought iron patio furniture brings a timeless, romantic quality to patios, decks, and porches.  If cared for properly, it can last an indefinite number of years.  If not properly cared for, though, wrought iron can chip, rust, and lose its original appeal.  While wrought iron furniture doesn’t require a lot of special treatment, it does need to be cleaned and checked periodically to ensure that it stays in the same good condition as it was when you first acquired it. How to Clean Wrought Iron

1. Using a clean rag or sponge, wipe down your furniture with a mix of mild dish soap and warm water.  This will ensure a gentle, but thorough, cleaning.
2. If you encounter more stubborn dirt or minor rust, sand those areas lightly with a medium to fine grit sandpaper.  Wipe clean, and touch up the area with the appropriate type of paint.  If touch up paint did not come with your furniture when you purchased it, you can find touch up paint at your local hardware store.

How to Protect Wrought Iron Just like any patio furniture, wrought iron should be properly protected when not in use.  The best way to do this is by using patio furniture covers.  Patio furniture covers protect wrought iron from damaging weather conditions and the sun’s ultraviolet rays.  Covering your wrought iron furniture after each use or at the end of the season is completely up to you.  Be prepared to spend more time cleaning and maintaining the furniture, though, if you decide to wait until fall or winter to cover it up. Overall, maintaining wrought iron patio furniture is easy and requires very few supplies.  It does, however, require periodic care to keep chipping and rusting at bay.

 

“You get what you pay for” is a familiar phrase that usually rings true.  Paying less money for something can often mean that you’re getting a poor quality product that doesn’t last.  In most cases, paying more on the front end for a better quality product actually saves money over time because that product lasts longer and doesn’t need to be replaced as often.  Luckily, there are exceptions to every rule — including the rule that “you get what you pay for.” When it comes to protecting your outdoor patio furniture from harsh weather and extending its life, patio furniture covers are the key.  Better quality covers do a better job, but, of course, they are often more expensive than the cheaper varieties.  Keep in mind that most patio furniture covers that are cheaper in price are also cheaper in quality.  But, not all inexpensive patio furniture covers follow this rule. Veranda Protective Furniture Covers are one of those lovely exceptions to the rule that “you get what you pay for.”  Veranda covers are constructed from a PVC-free waterproof and weatherproof 3-layer material that protects outdoor patio furniture beautifully for many years.  These furniture covers are equipped with the same kinds of features that more expensive covers have, including secure tie straps, padded handles, and an attractive color scheme that coordinates with any home and its natural surroundings.  The best part is that Veranda covers are surprisingly affordable, costing only a fraction of what other high quality furniture covers cost. In most cases, it’s safe to assume that the phrase “you get what you pay for” means exactly that.  But, occasional exceptions make for pleasant surprises.  In the case of outdoor patio furniture covers, Veranda Protective Covers are the pleasant surprise that will protect your patio furniture and your wallet all at once.

 

Made by you or made for you, custom patio furniture is one-of-a-kind and deserves custom protection so that you can enjoy it for years ahead.  Custom patio furniture covers allow you to adequately protect your uniquely designed outdoor furniture in a way that standard covers simply cannot.

Standard patio furniture covers are exactly that…standard.  They are constructed to fit the most common shapes and sizes of furniture, but they fall significantly short when it comes to custom furniture.  A proper fit requires a personalized approach.  With custom patio furniture covers, you provide the dimensions and indicate the desired material and features.  The result is a rugged, carefully made cover that protects your one-of-a-kind furniture creation against harsh weather and the premature aging that comes with prolonged exposure to the elements.

As summer winds down, it’s a good time to start thinking about how you plan to protect your outdoor patio furniture when it’s not being used during the colder months.

Do you have a large enough shed or storage area to put all that furniture away?

Many people don’t, so investing in high quality Patio Furniture Covers is essential for ensuring that your furniture stays properly protected through all kinds of weather.

The patio umbrella is often the most neglected piece of outdoor furniture when it comes to covering the patio furniture.  

Many people don’t realize that they can cover their patio or market umbrella, too. 

Patio umbrellas tend not to last more than a couple of years when they have to endure harsh winter weather without protection, but with a Patio Umbrella Cover, you can enjoy your umbrella for many years to come.

Choosing Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers is just as important a decision as choosing the furniture itself.  You spend a good deal of money on high quality patio furniture, so it’s vital to protect that furniture so that it will continue to look good and last for many years.  

Covering your outdoor furniture with high quality patio furniture covers ensures a proper fit and a long life for your furniture pieces. 

It used to be that people only covered their outdoor furniture in the winter. 

But, patio furniture can easily become dirty and damaged when exposed to harsh weather conditions common at other times of year, such as rain, hail, high winds, and the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. 

More homeowners prefer to cover their outdoor furniture year round when it’s not in use.