When it comes to protecting your outdoor furniture, it's important to understand the weather that you’re up against. Not all types of patio cover can keep out all types of weather. For example, some might be more decorative and pleasing to the eye, but useless at keeping out water.
It’s important to understand the limitations of patio covers. They can’t stop your furniture from being damaged by tornadoes, but they can certainly guard against the worst of the common weather we experience in the US.
In this guide, we take a look at patio covers and the weather that they can keep out, including extreme heat and snow. We also look at the best types of patio covers for different weather types.
First, let’s look at patio covers in more detail.
Key Takeaways On The Types Of Weather Patio Covers Can Withstand
Fabric patio covers made of the likes of polyester can withstand all weather types, such as rain, snow and intense heat.
These types of patio covers provide the best value, flexibility and protection when guarding against different weather.
To protect from extremes of different weather types, you may wish to opt for a more permanent structure.
What Is A Weather Proof Patio Cover?
A weatherproof patio cover is a product designed to cover your furniture or outdoor items, like an air conditioner unit or a BBQ grill, from different types of weather.
There are all different types of patio covers that you could get. For example, some people may prefer a more permanent structure. They might use a mix of wood and aluminum to construct a cover that may extend from their home. Some people also build the likes of a pergola.
However, a cheaper and easier way to cover your outdoor furniture is to use fabric or material covers. The best materials include polyester and non-woven polypropylene. Often weatherproof, they can slide over all types of patio furniture, like tables and chairs of all shapes and sizes.
Some fabric patio covers, such as those we sell in the PatioCover.com store, can guard against all different types of weather, from hail and snow to wind and rain
Why Do I Need To Cover My Patio Furniture?
The main reason why it’s important to cover patio furniture is to protect it from the elements. Depending on what your furniture is made of, it may be susceptible to cold, damp conditions. For example, wooden chairs or wicker chains can suffer rot and mold if exposed to rain too often.
Rather than buy new patio furniture every year, you can invest in a cover that protects it. That way, when you come to sit on your outdoor sofa on that warm, sunny day, its legs won't be snapping beneath you, and you won’t get a wet rump from damp cushions.
What Types Of Outdoor Furniture Can You Use Patio Covers On?
It’s possible to use fabric patio covers on all different types of outdoor furniture. If you don’t have the budget or space for a permanent structure, these products are ideal. And they’re also much cheaper.
Some of the types of outdoor furniture you can get covers for include:
You can find patio covers for all of these items in our store.
What Types Of Weather Can Patio Covers Withstand?
Modern materials used in patio covers have helped ensure they can guard against the weather we often experience, even to some extremes, like scorching heat.
Let’s take a look at different weather types and how patio covers can withstand them.
Rain
The US is home to a wide range of climates and weather types. However, one consistent across much of the nation is rainfall. The amount of rain each state receives does vary drastically, though. And if you’re in one of those rainier parts of the country, you’re going to need to protect your outdoor furniture.
Persistent exposure to rain can see the likes of wooden outdoor patio furniture begin to rot and mold. When they dry out, their joints can loosen, creating the risk of them breaking or falling apart when used. The last thing you want is to suffer an injury.
With this in mind, many patio covers, such as those sold in our store, offer waterproofing. Some materials are better than others, however. For example, the Non-woven Polypropylene used in our economy range is waterproof, but our ultra-premium 600 Denier Polyester offers much greater protection.
The best thing to think about is how much rain you’re likely to experience over the course of the year. If it’ll rain for much of the year, a better and more robust material could be the best choice.
Wind
Like with rain, some states may experience windier weather more than others. Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota are considered some of the windiest parts of the country.
Average wind speeds can vary from gentle breezes to tornadoes. While gusts might not carry away your patio furniture, they can carry smaller items, like dust and leaves, which can gather on furniture and make it dirty. It can also carry rocks and knock other items into things which can cause more lasting damage.
If you experience strong and frequent winds, you may opt for a more permanent structure where you can store things. However, fabric patio covers can provide ample protection against the damage caused by wind.
Snow
If you live in Alaska or states like New York, Colorado and New Hampshire, you’ll know how damaging snow can be.
While those days during the first fresh snow of the season can be exciting, with snowmen and snowball fights aplenty, if temperatures do not rise, the snow can freeze and cause lasting damage.
Unprotected wooden patio furniture, for example, could break in icy weather. Plastic furniture might be unable to withstand the biting cold too. Some patio furniture also uses glass, which can be very susceptible to snow and ice.
It’s for these reasons using patio furniture covers is essential to guard against the snow. Material covers are more than capable of keeping out the cold and guarding from freezing. If you experience particularly harsh weather, it may be wise to opt for a stronger material, like polyester.
High Temperatures
With global temperatures rising, the summer heat in certain parts of the US is reaching scorching levels. Unprotected furniture can suffer damage inflicted by intense ultraviolet (UV) rays, warping their shape, causing them to crack or shatter, or in the case of cast iron furniture and other metal-based products, making them too hot to use.
If shielding furniture from the sun, fabric patio covers do an excellent job. The material used helps reflect the intense rays of the sun, keeping the furniture within nice and cool.
If you want extra protection, it may be worth building a permanent structure that provides constant shade.
What Patio Cover Is Best For Heat?
Depending on how intense the heat is, you may wish to opt for a permanent structure made of wood or aluminum. With scorching rays beaming down, patio furniture may get too hot to use. A shelter would help to keep that heat at bay.
However, if you’re just looking to guard from the rays of the sun, fabric patio covers do an excellent job. The material used is designed to repel UV rays, ensuring your furniture is safe.
The Best Patio Covers For Windy Areas
If you live in a very windy state, you may wish to opt for a permanent patio cover or a shed in which to store your items. However, for most areas that experience average wind speeds, fabric and material patio covers are best.
These types of patio covers can guard against dust, dirt and leaves, which can spoil your furniture, as well as cause damage.
Buy An All-Weather Patio Cover
Now you understand what weather types patio covers can guard against, you may be keen to check some out for yourself. If so, head to our store.
We offer one of the widest ranges of fabric and material patio covers that benefit from all-weather proofing. If you live in a part of the country that’s wet in the winter and roasting hot in the summer, these covers are ideal.
We also offer a lifetime warranty and free shipping, as well as 24-hour customer support via our website and helpline. If you have any questions about patio covers and the weather they can withstand, why not give us a call?
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Jan Craig
Writer
PatioCover.com
