Whether wind, sleet, snow, heavy rain, or a scorching hot summer day, a robust and well-designed patio cover will help protect your possessions against the worst elements.
These weather conditions pose different challenges. However, the best material for patio covers will stand firm in the face of nature's sternest tests, that is if you choose the right one for the job.
With a wealth of patio cover materials available, it’s important to be aware of the different types and what they’re best used for. This comprehensive guide provides you with the answers.
Our 24/7 support desk can also answer your queries about specific materials, but if you're looking for a more general breakdown, look no further than this handy guide.
Key Takeaways On Materials For Patio Covers
● Polyester is one of the best materials for patio covers of the fabric kind, being water resistant as well as resistant to sun and heat. They also offer benefits like very minimal maintenance and upkeep
● A cheaper and effective alternative to polyester is non-woven polypropylene
● If opting for a more permanent structure, you could try an aluminum patio cover or wooden patio covers.
● The climate you live in is vital. Those in the Southwest have very different weather conditions to those in Northern states.
What Types Of Material Can You Get For Patio Covers?
Here at Patio Cover, we use some of the lightest and most durable materials on the market. They can provide excellent coverage in all weather types and all seasons as well as offering many benefits like being aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best materials you can get for patio covers:
● Non-woven Polypropylene - this material is cheap, effective, and highly versatile. It can keep out water and snow and can repel ultraviolet rays from the sun, too.
● Polyester - similar to polypropylene but more effective, polyester is between 20% and 50% more durable. It’s also more resistant to precipitation and the sun too. It offers truly excellent protection against all elements.
Suppose you’re looking for more heavy-duty materials for the likes of permanent patio covers. In that case, you may consider the likes of aluminum, fiberglass or wood, which we discuss in greater detail below.
As well as getting a patio cover that does the job, you want one that looks aesthetically pleasing too. That’s why we offer all of our covers in three natural colors that blend in seamlessly with your patio and outdoor space: black, beige, and gray.
Understanding What Your Outdoor Furniture Needs
It’s important to understand that the best material for patio covers is often dictated by your climate. While a fabric patio cover is perfect for your furniture to stay clean and dry, if you live in a more unpredictable climate with more extreme weather, you may need a more robust form of coverage.
Aluminum patio covers are often a popular choice for their proven ability to hold steady in strong winds, high heat, and the depths of winter. It also ticks all of the boxes regarding cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and durability.
You could opt to use something like wood or fiberglass too. Wood is cheap and can adjust to your needs, but in wetter and humid climates, it can be subject to rot and mold, so it may require more maintenance. Fabric patio covers on the other hand are a lot more maintenance free.
Fiberglass is easy to clean, stands rigid in the face of extreme weather challenges, and is essentially impenetrable to insect infestation, unlike wood patio covers.
Some people also opt for vinyl patio covers which can be a very cheap and easy-to-use material to brighten your outdoor living space.
Our guide to buying patio furniture covers offers vital tips and advice for your individual items, whether it's lounge covers, tables or chairs, or a combination of both.
Patio Covers And The Climates Of Different US States
The Deep South and the bordering states commonly encounter the hottest annual temperatures in the US. However, Texas, California, and other States that make up the Southwest also experience high temperatures during hot summers.
The best material for patio covers in such sweltering heat could be 600 Denier Polyester, used in our products. With high-temperature resistance, it can keep the heat safely at bay.
Many Americans who live in wetter climates in the Northern states would be better off avoiding materials like wood because of the issues that arise with persistent precipitation or harsh, windier conditions.
Again, our polypropylene and polyester-based fabric covers are waterproof and can handle rainy weather without issue.
The Best Material For Outdoor Patio Covers By Furniture Type
It’s difficult to look past polyester as the best material for outdoor patio covers. However, different materials have different uses and in this section, we cover the optimum materials for different furniture types, both practically and aesthetically.
Chairs, Loungers and Sofas
Sofas, chairs, and loungers can cost a lot of money and ensuring you have the right materials to protect them and keep them looking fresh should be a crucial element when weighing up your purchase.
There’s a reason why our 600 Denier Polyester is considered the best material for patio covers by so many people: it is strong in the face of water damage, and it stops erosion through dirt and other elements over time due to its design.
Cushion Storage
Many people forget about their outdoor cushions when it comes to patio covers. You may have used plastic boxes, or even wooden boxes to try and keep those cushions clean and dry, but with mixed results.
Ideally, you're looking for any water-resistant material that rejects heat and protects cushions from termites or other insects, like our denier polyester patio covers designed specifically for cushion storage.
BBQs and Grills
Outdoor BBQ grill covers can be your pride and joy, but it’s vital to keep these expensive items protected in the off-season and during the hottest summer temperatures. Whether a wide grill or smoker cover, ensure you settle on a polyester type that can stand up to the stronger forces of nature.
Depending on the region of the US you live in, our 300 Denier Polyester could do the trick; It’s strong, regardless of whether it’s too hot or a stormy, rainy day. Ultimately, it’s the strength of the weather that determines which material you use, so 600 Denier Polyester could be the prime choice if you want to keep your BBQ safe from the worst of what nature offers.
Hot Tubs
Chilling in a hot tub is a great way to relax, regardless of whether you want to cover and protect your large hot tub or a smaller one. The most vital aspect of a hot tub cover is to ensure that it’s secure, doesn't leak, and that the elements don't chip away at the inner mechanics of your expensive tub.
Ensuring your cover stretches the width of your tub and is water-resistant are the two integral elements to consider. Luckily, all the patio cover materials we have discussed are water-resistant, so you shouldn't encounter any issues when owning both.
Fire Pits
Alongside BBQs, fire pits can be your property's most dangerous external design. Fire pits must be covered appropriately in intense weather or extreme heat. In addition, you must adhere to guidelines by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which ensures that they're designed adequately and covered appropriately.
Similar to BBQ and smoke grills, the aim is to find a material that is less susceptible to heat retention or one that doesn’t act as a fire accelerant. All of the polyester materials we’ve touched on in this guide fit the bill.
Air Conditioning Units
For those Americans who have air conditioning units on their patio, it’s important to ensure they're protected. Due to the leakage associated with air conditioning units, you want a cover that is able to ventilate the unit and protect it from excessive heat and rain.
Non-woven Polypropylene is cheaper to get your hands on and is able to tick these boxes effectively. Often, air conditioning units are smaller devices than more prominent patio features, so we’d say that’s good enough to do the trick.
Get Help Picking The Best Material For Your Patio Covers
Although we've covered the main areas of concern and interest, you may feel more comfortable speaking to a specialist like ourselves before making a decision. There are, after all, many choices available.
You can ask your questions right away by using the live chat box in the bottom corner.
Or you can call our free helpline at the top of this page to speak with us now.
In just a few minutes we can give you the answers you need and arrange for your new patio covers to be shipped to you right away.
Learn More About Patio Covers
Sincerely,
Jan Craig
Blogs Writer
Team Patio Cover
