Heavy rains, winter weather, and even exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can shorten the lifespan of outdoor furniture dramatically. Resins, woods, and metals can become discolored, weakened, and damaged over time, and replacing patio furniture can be costly. The ideal solution for protecting outdoor furniture is to use patio furniture covers.

Unfortunately, buying just any set of patio furniture covers does not guarantee that the furniture will be effectively protected. Poor quality furniture covers crack and disintegrate easily when exposed to extremes in temperature and weather, and cheaper materials can even damage patio furniture surfaces. By paying close attention to the details when purchasing patio furniture covers, homeowners can increase the chances that they are choosing high quality covers that will do a superior job protecting their furniture.

Stitching and Seams

Details that homeowners should pay attention to first when looking at patio furniture covers are the stitching and seams. Stitching and seams should be protected from weather exposure and hidden with a protective piping. Piping also diverts water off of furniture covers, which prevents water from collecting on covers and creating stains or other damage.

Hems and Closures

Homeowners should also look for sturdy hems and closures on each cover. Are the covers likely to stay on the furniture, even on windy days? Leg ties, drawstrings, elastic hems, and Velcro are some of the different types of hems and closures homeowners will find on better quality patio furniture covers, and each can successfully keep covers in place during high winds. The essential requirement, though, is that covers, no matter what kind of closure or hem is used, must fit every piece of furniture snugly. Without a snug fitting hem or closure, patio furniture covers cannot be expected to protect the furniture.

Special Features

Higher quality patio furniture covers usually come with a number of special features that make protecting outdoor furniture easier. Special features vary according to manufacturer, but homeowners should look for any details that add value or convenience to the patio furniture covers. For example, a zippered closure on a patio umbrella cover is more convenient to operate than one with multiple snaps or ties. Also, furniture covers that come with their own handy storage pouch sewn in make it easier to store the covers neatly away when they are not in use.

Some homeowners like to have custom patio furniture covers made so that they can choose the hems, closures, and special features that best fit their particular needs. Using custom patio furniture covers also ensures the highest quality and best fit. Whether homeowners choose custom or standard covers, though, doesn't matter as much as paying close attention to the details before making a purchase. Knowing what to look for in a quality furniture cover empowers homeowners to choose the best quality product that will provide many years of reliable protection.