| When summer winds down, and the crisp autumn | | | | When summer winds down, and the crisp autumn |
| winds begin to blow it's time to consider outdoor | | | | winds begin to blow it's time to consider outdoor |
| furniture covers to protect your investment to | | | | furniture covers to protect your investment to |
| ensure many more seasons of enjoyment. Cost, | | | | ensure many more seasons of enjoyment. Cost, |
| material, design, and size are all important things | | | | material, design, and size are all important things |
| to consider and will help you make a purchase | | | | to consider and will help you make a purchase |
| you will be satisfied with for many years. | | | | you will be satisfied with for many years. |
| How much of your budget are you willing to | | | | How much of your budget are you willing to |
| invest toward that solution? If you have furniture | | | | invest toward that solution? If you have furniture |
| in standard sizes, you can get by with stock | | | | in standard sizes, you can get by with stock |
| products at very reasonable prices and good | | | | products at very reasonable prices and good |
| quality. Just know that there is a trade off. It's | | | | quality. Just know that there is a tradeoff. It's fine |
| fine to spend less as long as you know you will be | | | | to spend less as long as you know you will be |
| willing to replace the covers more often. If, | | | | willing to replace the covers more often. If, |
| however, you have furniture that will require | | | | however, you have furniture that will require |
| special order to get custom fit covers, it would be | | | | special order to get custom fit covers, it would be |
| wise to spend a few extra dollars to get covers | | | | wise to spend a few extra dollars to get covers |
| that will last many seasons. | | | | that will last many seasons. |
| Outdoor furniture covers come in a variety of | | | | Outdoor furniture covers come in a variety of |
| materials including plastic polyethylene, vinyl with | | | | materials including plastic polyethelene, vinyl with |
| or without fleece backing, polyester, sometimes | | | | or without fleece backing, polyester, sometimes |
| vinyl coated, and other specialized fabrics such as | | | | vinyl coated, and other specialized fabrics such as |
| Weathermax. Each of these materials have | | | | Weathermax. Each of these materials have |
| advantages and drawbacks. If you live in an area | | | | advantages and drawbacks. If you live in an area |
| where snowfall is common and the furniture will | | | | where snowfall is common and the furniture will |
| be left outdoors, waterproof covers would be a | | | | be left outdoors, waterproof covers would be a |
| good choice. Choose a fabric that is breathable, | | | | good choice. Choose a fabric that is breathable, |
| yet balanced with protection. Polyester might be a | | | | yet balanced with protection. Polyester might be a |
| good choice, if vinyl coated or Weathermax which | | | | good choice, if vinyl coated or Weathermax which |
| combines breath-ability with UV protective | | | | combines breathability with UV protective |
| properties to prevent fading and fabric | | | | properties to prevent fading and fabric |
| breakdown. | | | | breakdown. |
| Condensation, mold, and mildew can form if dirt | | | | Condensation, mold, and mildew can form if dirt |
| and water penetrate the surface of your | | | | and water penetrate the surface of your |
| furniture covers damaging wood and metal | | | | furniture covers damaging wood and metal |
| finishes over time. Therefore, it is important that | | | | finishes over time. Therefore, it is important that |
| the covers fit well and don't encourage sagging | | | | the covers fit well and don't encourage sagging |
| areas that can hold water or snow for long | | | | areas that can hold water or snow for long |
| periods of time. | | | | periods of time. |
| Design and style are important elements to | | | | Design and style are important elements to |
| consider as well. Patterns and textures that you | | | | consider as well. Patterns and textures that you |
| will look at out your window all winter should be | | | | will look at out your window all winter should be |
| pleasing to you. The function of the covers will be | | | | pleasing to you. The function of the covers will be |
| important to how well your covers protect. | | | | important to how well your covers protect. |
| Velcro, ties, and snaps are all options that are | | | | Velcro, ties, and snaps are all options that are |
| available to secure a tight fit around your chairs | | | | available to secure a tight fit around your chairs |
| and tables. Some come with umbrella holes so | | | | and tables. Some come with umbrella holes so |
| that your umbrella (with its own cover) can be | | | | that your umbrella (with its own cover) can be |
| left in place when out of season. A drop to the | | | | left in place when out of season. A drop to the |
| floor is best and will also prevent your outdoor | | | | floor is best and will also prevent your outdoor |
| furniture covers from blowing away in severe | | | | furniture covers from blowing away in severe |
| wind. | | | | wind. |
| Easy care and maintenance can be achieved if the | | | | Easy care and maintenance can be achieved if the |
| covers are machine washable and lightweight. | | | | covers are machine washable and lightweight. |
| Many are easy to place and easy to remove. | | | | Many are easy to place and easy to remove. |
| Some are not. Thinking about what you need and | | | | Some are not. Thinking about what you need and |
| what the climate is in your region will help you | | | | what the climate is in your region will help you |
| make a smart choice in covers that will last and | | | | make a smart choice in covers that will last and |
| perform beautifully to protect your investment | | | | perform beautifully to protect your investment |
| for many years to come. | | | | for many years to come. |