Thursday, May 26, 2011

What Kind of Outdoor Furniture Covers Should You Buy?

Two Dogs Designs Outdoor Furniture and Accessories CoversThe great outdoor furniture cover debate. Doesn't sound like a very interesting topic, now does it? However, if you think about it, you've spent a King's Ransom on your outdoor furniture, Umbrellas and BBQs, why would you buy inexpensive covers that allow water and dirt in, opening up the possibility that mold and stains might ruin them?

So how do you know what to buy? Well, that isn't an easy choice because there are several different brands and materials to choose from, not to mention color. I'm not going to create a matrix - that would be much too easy for you. After all, you spent all that time choosing exactly the correct furniture so now spend just a few more minutes researching the difference in fabrics and then make your own choice. So below, I will list the manufacturer and a little bit about them and their covers so you can easily make up your own mind.


First, let’s start with KoverRoos®. They carry four different patented fabrics, along with sunbrella, in varying degrees of quality, durability and, of course, price:


  • Tyvek , a Dupont product, which comes only in white, is perfectly appropriate for mild weather conditions. It is very lightweight so it’s easy to take off and on, and at $39.99 for the umbrella cover, is the most affordable in the KoverRoos lineup. We give it a durability rating factor of 1 out of 4, with 4 being best.

  • KoverRoos III, also a Dupont product, available only in an attractive taupe color, is good for slightly harsher or windier climates. It has a soft inner layer that is very gentle on your furniture yet has a slightly heavier feel. At $39.99 for the patio umbrella cover, it is an affordable option. We give it a durability factor rating of 2 out of 4.

  • SupraRoos is designed for the harshest and windiest conditions. It uses a Dupont two-layer technology: The outer layer has great UV-resistance to further protect your furniture and can withstand hours of rain, snow and strong wind. The inner layer adds strength and resistance so that sharp corner won’t damage your covers. The price runs $54.99 for an umbrella cover – not too bad really. The only drawback is that it comes only in white. We give it a durability factor rating of 3 out of 4.

  • WeatherMax is a bit more on the discerning side. It comes in a nice range of contemporary colors adding richness to your yard when not in use. It is extremely breathable allowing it to resist mold and mildew ruining your furniture. The price point of $59.99 seems a bargain considering the choice of colors and quality. We give it a durability factor of 4 out of 4 – the best we can give.

  • Sunbrella. For those who know the Sunbrella name, you know it equates to quality. These covers are perfect for warm, dry climates with lots of sunlight. Sunbrella will hold its color for 5 years and because it is so breathable, it also resists mold and mildew. This is one of the few manufacturers we found who offers Sunbrella fabrics to cover your furniture, grill and umbrella and more. Price point will likely be more than WeatherMax but we give it a durability factor of 4 out of 4, with a bonus for versatility.
Two Dogs Designs. We like this manufacturer because of the larger variety of covers for a larger variety of products, plus they use Velcro tabs, zippers and closures to protect from the elements. They offer two levels of covers:

  • Two Dogs Fabric made of heavyweight 600-denier polyester similar to luggage fabric, therefore it is weather resistant to protect against damage from the elements, and the PVC lining protects helps protect the items they cover. It comes in two different patterns: chili pepper and banana leaves which are attractive and unique, and two solid colors: forest green and chocolate brown. The price point is in the mid-range for the quality and in terms of durability we give this 3 out of 4.

  • WeatherReady Fabric by Two Dogs is made for mild weather conditions. They are weather resistant, durable and affordable and come in two colors: Black or Khaki. Made of heavy-duty polyester, they are also PVC lined to help protect the exterior of your furniture, bbqs and umbrellas. One of the reason we like Two Dogs is that they offer unique items such as log rack covers, fire table covers and double chaise covers making this a very versatile line of covers. We give this a durability factor of 2 out of 4, with a bonus point for versatility.
Dayva International, which sells outdoor umbrellas and patio heaters, also has a full line of outdoor furniture covers made of two different fabrics: TronWeve and Duro-Nex


  • Tron-Weve, available in SandStone color, is made for the harshest weather conditions including hot and cold. It’s a “Space Age” type material that has been rated to withstand cold below -40 degrees F and heat exceeding the hottest recorded temperature in the world. It also has a huge selection of covers for furniture, umbrellas and accessories including a lawn mower cover, snow blower cover and bicycle cover, we give this a 4+ in durability with two bonus points for quality and versatility. Umbrella covers start at $29, the price makes these a very attractive option

  • Duro-Nex furniture and accessory covers are made for mild weather conditions. They come in a light gray color and feature a protective cloth backing which is gentle against your furniture. The price point is extremely affordable and the variety is large. We give this a durability rating of 2 out of 4.
Obviously, there are many other types of furniture covers available on the market. Typically what you will find is that they are a private label of one of these covers. You will also find very inexpensive covers at big box stores or online catalog stores made of tarp-like material which look good for a few weeks or months but upon exposure to any type of inclement weather typically begin to fall apart. In this case, it’s definitely buyer beware. It is important to know what type of cover you need that will withstand your weather conditions and protect your outdoor furniture and accessories for many years.
If you have any questions on which type of patio furniture covers, chair covers, umbrella cover, bbq grill cover or even an outdoor television cover (we also carry outdoor waterproof hd televisions) or any accessory cover to buy, please feel free to give us a call at 888-564-4744. We're always happy to be a resource to our online consumers.










Thursday, May 19, 2011

W.I.N.O.S. Women In Need of Sanity - Let There be Light!

W.I.N.O.S. (Women In Need of Sanity) Who couldn't use a little color in their life? Add color and style to your outdoor living area with all resin weatherproof lamps. These lamps are completely weatherproof, have a two level dimming switch and waterproof cord and plug. We just love the name!

Don't get me wrong. Anything with the name Wine in it I love! Call me a wine snob - but it had better be better than White Zin, right? These lamps bring out the fun in any event and are adorable to boot. We'd love to hear a few of your "Wine" quotes if you have any clean ones you can share. Here's some photos you might like too:

W.I.N.O.S. Zebra Print Wino Lamp at Odyssey Homestore®W.I.N.O.S. Tropical Breeze Lamp at Odyssey Homestore®W.I.N.O.S. Umbrella Hole Patio Table Lamp at Odyssey Homestore®

Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.
William Shakespeare

Call an outdoor lighting expert today at Odyssey Homestore® to help you choose just the right lamp for your decor. 888-564-4744

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Outdoor Zen? Oops I Mean Zuo Outdoors. Inspired by Those Who Live the Good Life. Or Want to.

Inspired by the beauty of modern clean lines and functional elegance, the always gorgeous Zuo Luxury Outdoor Collection is destined to please. Odyssey Homestore® brings to you a grand selection of trendy, elegant and fashionable outdoor furniture designed for your patio or poolside. The style blends fashion, culture, and furniture into an eclectic yet thoroughly modern collection of lifestyle pieces. Whether as complimentary accent or bold statement, any of these pieces from Odyssey Homestore® will enhance the way you live, work, and play. From Porch to Patio and Everything in Between - We've Got You Covered!

We just picked up an new line of outdoor furniture and I have to say I'm really impressed. I wonder ... how many people might like to give their impression? Would you ... please? The prices are mid-range but the looks are stunning! They're all pretty modern looking yet somehow traditional. It's the wicker that makes it look traditional and the rich Espresso finish that gives that modern look and feel.

Horseshoe Bay Chat Set - Coffee Table and Horseshoe Chair by Zuo Modern FurnitureWe have the Horseshoe Bay Chat Set that I think would look great on anyone's front porch - including mine! And you can chat or just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. The Horseshoe Bay Chat Set with a Chat/Coffee table and chair. A truly unique outdoor set, the Horseshoe Bay chair has a rocking mechanism that brings fun and comfort to any al fresco space. The multi-functional chat table is small enough to be out of the way, but at 25.5" Diameter is large enough to hold cocktails and hor d'ourves. The weave is a UV treated synthetic with a re-inforced interior aluminum tube frame. The glass top is made of clear tempered glass. The cream colored cushions have water resistant covers and interior foam. Don't you just love the name!

Curacao Day Bed and Ottoman by Zuo Modern Outdoor Furniture

One of my "Favorite Things" (if I can quote Oprah) is the Curacao Day Bed and Ottoman. This yin-yang inspired piece is full bed-style lounge with an ottoman. The Curacao bed is a wonderful piece for any type of outdoor entertaining. I want one for the patio, by the pool and at the beach! I think I could spend the whole day lounging on it. If I had a sweet little umbrella drink of course!

Although there are dozens of items in this line (click here for a link to all of them) I only chose three to talk about. But I had such difficulties choosing the third one! I love them all. Here's my problem. I put things on the website that I like. I hope everyone likes them too. Our goal, if you haven't ready our About Us page, is to find truly unique items and bring them to the market. In other words, you won't find the majority of our items at Home Improvement stores or Big Box stores. But I digress - something I enjoy actually.

Anyway, so I have to choose. I think I'm choosing the last one as much because I think the style is unique (plus you get a free 9 foot umbrella and 2 free attached side tables) but I love the name as well. One place I've always wanted to go was the Hamptons. One day I will go. Unfortunately, or fortunately I suppose, I prefer to travel south of the Tropic of Cancer and since the Hamptons are just slightly north of the south of the Tropic of Cancer, it may take me a while. But I will get there - I'm quite sure - one day.

Hampton Day Bed with Free Side Tables and Umbrella by Zuo Modern Outdoor Living

So the Hampton Day Bed by Zuo Modern Outdoor Furniture is a truly unique day bed. We love the concept of lounging and sleeping outdoors and this fits the bill to a "T" - but what's so unique about this one is the way two people can snooze and if one happens to snore - it's no big deal! This bed makes the idea that it "Takes Two to Tango" really apropro! A large umbrella and folding courtship seating makes for a fun bed or dual person lounge, and includes two separate attached drink side tables. The 9 ft umbrella, as shown (which comes free by the way), and the deluxe cream color cushions, which are included, are all water resistant. Can you just see me - oops I mean you of course - lounging by the pool or on the beach? I (and by I - I mean you of course) would feel like an actor in a commercial ... pampered and special! Just look at those cute little tables! Iknow you want it! You'll be the envy of the block!

This entire line, plus all of the Zuo Modern Outdoor Furniture line, comes with a one year warranty. But you won't need it. These are made with Resin Wicker and will last you forever. Or at least until you get tired of it. Which will likely be oh ... never.

As always, feel free to call a patio furniture specialist if you need any help choosing just the right collection of furniture or just have a comment on our posts. We'd love to hear from you. 888-564-4744

Friday, May 13, 2011

Home Theater Alfresco! Yes That's What we Said!


SunBrite All-Weather Outdoor LCD TVs http://www.odysseyhomestore.com/Backyard-Home-Theater_c_35.html
SunBrite All-Weather Outdoor LCD TVs
Let Us Bring the Home Theater Experience to your Outdoor Space!

As an Authorized SunBrite TV Dealer, we are pleased to introduce the new line of 55-, 46-, 32- and 22 inch All-Weather Outdoor TV's that delivers home theater-quality viewing to your backyard, commercial location and even your bathroom!
The new streamline design is engineered for outdoor use, and therefore resists rain, snow, moisture and extreme temperature ranges.
This TV is built to last with either outdoor ASA plastic resin or powder coated aluminum exterior that protects the inner components from the elements.
SunBrite TV products are designed, tested and certified for outdoor use by UL or CSA, so when they are installed, you will enjoy the confidence of safe outdoor viewing for your home and family.

Do you need an Outdoor TV for a Commercial Location? SunBriteTV products are time-tested in commercial applications across the country. Listed below are just a few of the esteemed facilities that selected SunBriteTV for their outdoor video requirements:

The Great American Ball Park . Fenway Park . Yankee Stadium . Disney World Universal Studios . Sea World . Caesars Palace . Huntington Conservatory Nickelodeon Hotel . Fountainbleau Hotel . Rockefeller Plaza … and many more!

They are great for digital signage, Stadiums and Arenas, Hospitality, Pool Cabanas, Theme Parks and More!

Our TVs are engineered to stand up to the complex challenges that are inherent to commercial outdoor applications. The following are some of the innovative outdoor solutions that makes SunBriteTV the prominent leader in outdoor installations:

Our proprietary Outdoor Environmental Feature-Set withstands harsh climatic conditions

Our Control Features maximize system integration flexibility

Our in-factory modification upgrades such as the Internal Media Compartment and Interactive Touch Screen deliver networking and user-interactivity solutions


We also carry a full line of SunBrite TV accessories!

So why wait? Contact us today and let us tell you more about SunBrite TV's complete line of 55-, 46-, 32 and 22 inch TVs. We're sure we have the perfect solution for your backyard.

Contact Us: 888-564-4744 or Click here to Email Us