Garden Furniture Covers – Outdoor Furniture Protection
Garden furniture covers help protect outdoor sofas, lounge furniture, garden tables, chairs and benches from dust, dirt and weather exposure when they are not in use. If your furniture remains outside throughout the garden season, a suitable cover helps reduce direct exposure to rain, leaves, bird droppings and sunlight.
Intergard offers garden furniture covers in a range of shapes and sizes for different types of outdoor furniture. Choosing the correct size is important. Always measure the maximum width, depth and height of your furniture, including armrests, backrests and any other projecting parts.
Our covers are suitable for different types of garden furniture, including lounge sofas, garden tables, chairs and benches. Depending on the model, covers may be made from HDPE polyethylene and feature different fastening systems. Always check the individual product specifications for dimensions, material and fastening details.
A good fit and adequate ventilation are both important. Ideally, furniture should be clean and dry before it is covered. Allowing air to circulate can help reduce prolonged trapped moisture and condensation underneath the cover.
Garden Furniture Covers for Outdoor Furniture
A garden furniture cover helps reduce direct exposure to dust, dirt and the weather when your outdoor furniture is not being used. Garden furniture is regularly exposed to rain, sunlight, leaves, bird droppings and other outdoor debris. Covering it between uses helps keep it cleaner and reduces direct exposure to these elements.
Intergard offers outdoor furniture covers in different sizes and shapes for lounge furniture, garden benches, tables, chairs and other outdoor furniture. The correct cover depends primarily on the type, shape and external dimensions of the furniture.
Why Use a Garden Furniture Cover?
A garden furniture cover provides an additional protective layer between your furniture and the outdoor environment. This is particularly useful if you do not have enough indoor storage space to put your furniture away after use.
A suitable outdoor furniture cover can help reduce direct exposure to:
- rain and other precipitation;
- dust and loose dirt;
- leaves and garden debris;
- bird droppings;
- sunlight and UV exposure, depending on the specifications of the cover;
- other outdoor dirt and debris.
The level and type of protection can vary between models, so always check the specifications of the individual furniture cover.
Which Garden Furniture Cover Do I Need?
Choose your cover according to both the type of garden furniture and its maximum external dimensions. Descriptions such as 2-seater, 3-seater or lounge set alone are not enough to determine the correct size because dimensions vary between manufacturers and furniture designs.
Depending on the available models, garden furniture covers can be used for:
- outdoor sofas and lounge furniture;
- garden tables;
- garden chairs;
- garden benches;
- sun loungers;
- complete garden furniture sets;
- other suitable outdoor furniture and accessories.
How Do I Measure Garden Furniture for a Cover?
Measure the maximum width, depth and height of the complete piece of furniture. Include armrests, backrests, table tops and any other parts that extend beyond the main frame.
- Measure the maximum overall width.
- Measure the maximum depth from front to back.
- Measure the height to the highest point.
- Check for any parts that extend beyond these measurements.
- Compare your measurements with the dimensions stated for the cover.
The cover should fit without being permanently stretched tightly over sharp corners or projecting parts. A cover that is too small can be difficult to fit and may place unnecessary stress on the material.
Outdoor Sofa and Lounge Furniture Covers
A cover for an outdoor sofa or lounge set should match both the shape and overall dimensions of the furniture. A straight 2-seater or 3-seater sofa requires a different cover from a corner sofa or L-shaped lounge set.
If you want to cover individual pieces separately, measure each item individually. If several pieces are to be covered together, measure the complete arrangement in the position in which it will be covered.
Garden Table Covers
A garden table cover should be selected according to the maximum dimensions of the table or complete dining set you intend to cover. If chairs are to remain around the table underneath the same cover, their dimensions must be included.
Measure the furniture in the exact arrangement in which it will be covered. This prevents a cover selected only according to the table dimensions from being too small once the chairs are included.
Garden Bench Covers
When selecting a garden bench cover, pay particular attention to the total width, depth and height of the backrest. Measure the complete bench rather than the seating area alone.
A suitable cover can be used for wooden benches as well as outdoor benches made from other materials, provided that the dimensions and shape are compatible.
Covers for Wooden Garden Furniture
A suitable furniture cover can be used with wooden garden furniture. Ventilation remains particularly important when covering wood. Avoid leaving wet wooden furniture tightly covered for prolonged periods.
A furniture cover does not replace normal maintenance. Continue to clean and maintain the furniture according to the recommendations for the particular timber or finish.
Covers for Rattan and Wicker Garden Furniture
Suitable covers can also be used for outdoor rattan and wicker-style furniture. With larger lounge sets, measure the complete arrangement carefully and compare its shape with the cover.
Do not rely solely on descriptions such as “lounge set” or “4-seater set”, as furniture dimensions can vary considerably between different designs.
HDPE Garden Furniture Covers
Different Intergard garden furniture covers are made from HDPE polyethylene. HDPE stands for high-density polyethylene. The material itself absorbs very little moisture and is used for a variety of outdoor applications.
Material weight, dimensions, fastening methods and other properties can vary between covers. Always refer to the specifications of the individual product rather than assuming that every cover has identical properties.
Are Garden Furniture Covers Waterproof?
Whether a garden furniture cover is fully waterproof depends on the specifications of the individual product. A cover described as providing protection from the weather should not automatically be considered completely waterproof.
Even where a cover helps keep direct rainfall off the furniture, moisture can still develop underneath through humid air and condensation. Water protection and ventilation should therefore be considered separately.
Why Is Ventilation Important Under a Furniture Cover?
Air circulation helps reduce prolonged trapped moisture and condensation underneath a garden furniture cover. This becomes particularly important when furniture remains covered for extended periods.
Where possible, cover furniture when it is clean and dry. Check both the furniture and cover periodically during longer periods of storage and allow additional ventilation when required.
If an individual cover has dedicated ventilation openings, this should be stated in its product specifications. Not every furniture cover necessarily has separate air vents.
Can Garden Furniture Covers Be Used in Winter?
A suitable garden furniture cover can be used when furniture is not required during winter or another extended period. However, using a cover does not automatically mean that every type of garden furniture is suitable for permanent year-round outdoor storage.
Whether furniture can remain outdoors during winter depends on its material, construction and the manufacturer's care recommendations. Clean and dry the furniture before covering it for an extended period.
Regularly remove accumulations of water, snow, leaves or other material from the cover to avoid unnecessary prolonged loading.
Can Cushions Stay Under a Garden Furniture Cover?
Whether cushions can remain underneath a furniture cover depends on the properties of the cushions themselves. A protective cover does not automatically make moisture-sensitive cushions suitable for permanent outdoor storage.
If cushions are not specifically designed for prolonged outdoor storage, keeping them in a dry, suitable storage area is generally preferable.
How to Use a Garden Furniture Cover
For best results, fit the cover over clean and dry furniture and secure it using the fastening system provided with the particular model.
- Remove leaves, dust and loose dirt from the furniture.
- Clean the furniture where necessary.
- Allow it to dry sufficiently.
- Remove moisture-sensitive cushions if they should not remain outdoors.
- Carefully fit the cover over the furniture.
- Secure it using the cover's fastening system.
- Allow sufficient air circulation where possible.
- Check the furniture and cover regularly.
Securing an Outdoor Furniture Cover in Wind
Always use the fastening system supplied with the particular furniture cover. Depending on the model, this may include a cord, drawstring or another type of fastening.
During strong winds, check that the cover remains correctly secured. A loose cover can catch a considerable amount of wind, so a standard garden furniture cover should not automatically be considered stormproof.
How Do You Clean a Garden Furniture Cover?
Remove loose dirt regularly and clean the cover using a method suitable for its material. Avoid aggressive cleaning methods that could damage the cover.
Allow the cover to dry properly before folding it for longer-term storage. It is also advisable to check regularly for damage around corners and fastening points.
Buy Garden Furniture Covers
Intergard offers garden furniture covers for different types, shapes and sizes of outdoor furniture. Measure your furniture carefully before ordering and compare the dimensions, shape, material and fastening system of the available covers.
For the best fit, choose a cover according to the actual external dimensions of your garden furniture rather than the number of seats alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Furniture Covers
Why should I use a garden furniture cover?
A garden furniture cover helps protect outdoor furniture from dust, dirt and direct weather exposure when it is not in use. It can also help keep furniture cleaner between uses.
What size garden furniture cover do I need?
Measure the maximum width, depth and height of your furniture. Include armrests, backrests and any other projecting parts when comparing these measurements with the dimensions of a cover.
Should a garden furniture cover fit tightly?
A cover should fit properly without being permanently stretched tightly across sharp corners or projecting parts. Excessive tension can place unnecessary stress on the material.
Are garden furniture covers waterproof?
This depends on the individual cover and should be confirmed by its product specifications. A cover that protects against weather exposure should not automatically be described as completely waterproof.
What is the difference between water-resistant and waterproof?
Water-resistant materials provide a degree of protection against water, whereas a waterproof claim requires appropriate product performance. Always check the specifications of the individual cover.
Can condensation form underneath a furniture cover?
Yes, condensation can form underneath a garden furniture cover. Covering dry furniture and allowing sufficient air circulation helps reduce prolonged trapped moisture.
Do garden furniture covers need air vents?
Ventilation is important, but not every cover has dedicated ventilation openings. Check the individual product specifications to determine whether a particular model has air vents.
Can I cover wet garden furniture?
Allow the furniture to dry whenever possible before covering it. Covering wet furniture for prolonged periods can trap moisture underneath the cover.
Can I leave cushions under a garden furniture cover?
This depends on the specifications of the cushions. Moisture-sensitive cushions that are not designed for prolonged outdoor storage are generally better kept in a dry location.
Can I use a garden furniture cover in winter?
Yes, a suitable cover can be used during extended periods when furniture is not in use. Whether the furniture itself can remain outside throughout winter depends on its material and the manufacturer's recommendations.
Does a garden furniture cover protect against frost?
A standard furniture cover should not be considered frost insulation unless the product specifications explicitly state this. It can reduce direct weather exposure but does not guarantee frost-free conditions.
Can I use a cover on wooden garden furniture?
Yes, a suitable cover can be used on wooden garden furniture. Make sure there is adequate ventilation and continue to maintain the timber according to its care requirements.
What cover do I need for a lounge set?
Choose a cover according to the overall shape, width, depth and height of the lounge set. Corner and L-shaped sets require particular attention to the complete shape and dimensions.
What cover do I need for a garden table and chairs?
Measure the complete arrangement in the position in which it will be covered. If the chairs remain around the table, include them in the overall dimensions.
How do I secure a garden furniture cover?
Use the fastening system provided with the individual cover. Depending on the model, this may be a drawstring, cord or another fastening method.
Can a garden furniture cover blow away?
A correctly secured cover is less likely to move, but a standard furniture cover should not be assumed to be stormproof. Check the fastening during strong winds.
How do I clean a garden furniture cover?
Remove loose dirt regularly and use a cleaning method suitable for the material. Allow the cover to dry properly before folding and storing it.
Are HDPE garden furniture covers recyclable?
HDPE is a recyclable plastic material. Actual recycling options depend on the collection and recycling facilities available in your local area.