The 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 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.
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.
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