As the summer season draws to a close, and you prepare for winter, one activity you will likely need to think about is how best to protect your outdoor patio furniture over the coming months. One option includes hauling your furniture into storage only to bring it back out in the late spring. If this process does not sound appealing there is another option to consider – using an outdoor furniture cover.
The right outdoor furniture cover can protect your chairs and tables from the elements while saving you the trouble of having to haul your furniture in and out of storage.
There are many points to consider prior to choosing the right patio furniture cover. Below we list some criteria we would ask you to consider.
- Size – You clearly want to know the size of your furniture, so take measurements. A cover that’s too large can reach the ground interfering with airflow which can result in mold over time. A cover that’s too small may leave much of your furniture exposed to the elements. We recommend a cover that leaves about four to six inches between the cover’s bottom and the ground.
- What you are protecting against – Depending on your location, you want to have an idea of what factors represent the greatest threat to your furniture. For example, do you expect significant rainfall over the course of the year, or perhaps you want a cover that protects against UV rays. In many locations you are going to want a cover that can perform well against a variety of climate-related factors all year around.
- Durability – Depending on how extreme the weather is in your location you may look to purchase a cover with greater density. The tradeoff however will be a heavier less pliable cover.
- Material – Polyester is a very popular fabric of choice due mainly to cost features. Polyester based covers perform relatively well in the rain and in colder weather but usually require further protection to make them fully waterproof. These covers are breathable enough to allow airflow and are not too heavy to handle. Vinyl covers are another option to consider but due to pliability and breathability as well as cost, this is not our first choice.
While outdoor furniture covers are available in both a single cover for your entire furniture set, you can also find covers for each chair and table although it usually requires more effort to find just the right size for your particular set.
As a result, we chose to review a single large sized cover that is designed to protect your entire furniture set sold by PatioGem.
Description
PatioGem offers three sizes for its outdoor furniture covers and we chose to test its mid-sized rectangular cover with dimensions of 90″x60″x27.8″ which was perfect for our outdoor table and six chairs.
The upper portion of the cover is tan in colour with a walnut brown colour along the bottom few inches. The colour combination works well and is a change from the usual darker colours that have often been associated with outdoor furniture covers.
There are four reinforced handles and mesh vents on each side. The purpose of the mesh vents is to facilitate airflow through the cover aiding stability from high winds in addition to protecting against mold growth.
Each corner of the cover has a buckle strap you can use to lock onto a piece of furniture such as a chair leg or any other grounded item. PatioGem also provides two additional buckle straps. Two drawstrings that help cinch the cover to your furniture set are also attached to the cover at opposite ends.
Material
The material that your cover is made from plays a critical role in the protection of your outdoor furniture.
The cover we chose was a 600D Polyester Oxford Fabric. If you have ever owned a backpack made specifically for the outdoors, chances are it was a 600D Polyester Oxford Fabric back pack. Strong water repelling capabilities is a hallmark of this material as well as its ability to protect against UV rays of course all within reason.
Our cover is made from Polyester Oxford Fabric with a 600D rating. The ‘D” refers denier which is the unit of measurement associated with the density of the fabric used. Put another way, the higher value, the thicker and more durable but less pliable the fabric. The lower the denier value, the lighter and more flexible the fabric.
Although we could have looked for something more dense with a 1000D rating, we believe that in an environment that sees a balance between rain, snow and sun and wind, a 600D rating is sufficient. We wanted an outdoor furniture cover that provides durability and strength but is still flexible enough to easily secure it to our outdoor furniture in a snug manner.
PatioGem has also used a grid-like stitching method which increases the cover’s strength making it virtually tear-proof. Moreover, Polyester Oxford fabric is does a reasonably good job at resisting degradation by UV rays although we would expect the cover’s colours to fade over time.
Of course when cannot overlook the issues related to price. Polyester Oxford fabric is economical both in terms of its production costs as well as its overall retail price making it extremely popular both for manufacturers and consumers.
The cover is also treated making it waterproof although in our evaluation we found that the cover can allow some moisture to penetrate through its guard during heavy downpours.
Overall, the cover has performed reasonably well in the inclement weather that we have experienced while testing it.
What we like
Material: PatioGem has chosen a very durable and pliable material for its covers. Combined with grid pattern stitching, the 600D Polyester Oxford fabric cover has the ability to protect outdoor furniture in a variety of conditions including rain, sun, snow and humidity. The cover will give you peace of mind in knowing that the investment that you have made into your furniture will be protected regardless of what Mother Nature has to offer. Although there are alternative materials such as nylon, we find this to be the best overall material for generalist needs especially for those living in urban settings.
Buckle Straps and Drawstrings: With a total of six buckle straps and two drawstrings, securing the cover and stabilizing it to grounded objects is no problem.
Strength: The grid pattern stitching and material used, make this cover nearly tear-proof.
Waterproofing: This is an essential feature that a patio furniture cover must have. PatioGem’s outdoor furniture cover does a very good job at protecting against rainfall although in heavy downpours it is possible to feel some dampness under the cover.
Airflow: The mesh vents do an excellent job at providing adequate airflow for the cover. We would recommend making sure to tie the cover down with the buckle straps on windy days so that the cover does not mushroom.
What we don’t like
Weight: Although durable, this is a rather heavy outdoor furniture cover. Depending on the size you order, you may need to ask someone to help you handle this cover.
UV Proof Coating: We have seen some fading in the walnut brown trim around the bottom of the cover over time. Although the fading is minor it is still present.
Two Year Warranty: We would have liked to see a five year warranty that comes with some premium brands.
Final thoughts
The importance of an outdoor furniture cover should not be understated. The right cover not only safeguards your patio set but also the investment you have made into your outdoor furniture.
We have had several weeks now to evaluate the performance of an outdoor furniture cover by PatioGem.
We found the cover to be well made and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the 600D Polyester Oxford fabric has provided the right mix between durability and flexibility. We also found that the cover stands up well to the variety of weather that we experienced while we had the cover in our possession.
We would have no problems recommending a cover from PatioGem.
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