What is bench covers for outdoor use? A garden bench is often overlooked until spring arrives and you notice cracked wooden seats, rusty metal frames or weather-related damage. After spending the winter outdoors without protection, rain, frost and moisture can take their toll. A custom-made garden bench cover helps protect your outdoor seating from the elements, keeping it clean, dry and in good condition throughout the year.
A bench cover is a simple fix. But it only works if it fits properly — a loose cover that pools water or blows off in the wind can cause as much damage as no cover at all. Here is what to look for.
Wood absorbs moisture and expands. Repeated wetting and drying causes the wood to crack along the grain, especially at joints and end-grain cuts. Mould and algae grow in the wet surface, and the finish degrades quickly without protection. A teak or hardwood bench will last years longer with a cover than without.
Steel and cast iron benches rust at every scratch and exposed fixing. Even galvanised steel eventually corrodes under sustained exposure. Painted finishes chip and let moisture in at the chip. An aluminium bench is more resistant but still suffers from oxidation at the connections over time.
These are generally the most weather-resistant bench materials. But UV exposure fades colours significantly over a few seasons, and frost can cause composite materials to become brittle at joints. A cover significantly extends the colour and structural life of composite seating.
A bench sits out in the open and catches full rainfall. A water-resistant cover handles drizzle but soaks through in prolonged rain. A waterproof cover — 600D polyester with PVC coating, or heavier 18oz PVC vinyl — keeps water off the bench surface regardless of rain intensity or duration.
Benches vary enormously in dimensions. A standard two-seat garden bench is different in length and height from a park-style bench with back and arms, a picnic bench, or a corner bench. A cover that is too short exposes the ends of the seat and the arm rests. A cover that is too long pools water at the base.
Curtains & Covers UK makes bench covers to your exact dimensions — seat length, height to the top of the back, and depth from front to back. The cover fits your specific bench, not a standard estimate.
A cover that degrades in UV after a couple of summers is not protecting the bench underneath properly and needs replacing more often than it should. UV-stabilised fabric holds its integrity for considerably longer and keeps the bench under it protected from UV bleaching too.
The most common type. The cover goes over the whole bench — seat, back, and arms — and ties or drawstrings at the base. Best for benches that are left covered for extended periods, such as through winter.
A smaller cover that fits over seat cushions only. Used when the frame is made from a material that does not need protecting but the cushions do. Often used for garden furniture with aluminium frames and separate cushions.
For benches that are moved to a shed or garage for winter. A close-fitting bag cover protects the bench in storage from dust, moisture and anything else in the storage space. Particularly useful for premium wooden or cast iron benches.
● Length — the full length of the bench seat including any arm rests at the ends
● Height — from the ground to the top of the back rest
● Depth — from the front edge of the seat to the back of the back rest
For a picnic bench with attached table, measure the full unit — table top length, overall width including the bench seats either side, and height to the table top. A picnic bench cover is usually made as a single piece that covers the whole structure.
If your bench has cushions you want to leave on, measure with them in place.
● Store the cover dry when the bench is in use — damp folds cause mildew in the cover fabric over time
● Clear pooled water off the top of the cover after heavy rain rather than leaving it sitting
● Wipe the bench down before covering it if it is wet — covering a wet bench under a sealed cover traps moisture
● Lift the cover rather than dragging it — dragging wears through the underside on rough surfaces
Standard two-seat garden benches vary between about 120 cm and 160 cm in length, with heights typically between 80 cm and 95 cm. Rather than guessing a standard size, measure your bench — length of the seat, height to the top of the back, and depth front to back. A made-to-measure cover ensures the fit is right for your specific bench.
Yes. A picnic bench cover is made as a single piece that covers the table top and both attached bench seats. Measure the full length of the table, the overall width including the bench seats on either side, and the height from the ground to the top of the table. Include those dimensions with your order.
A properly made bench cover with adequate ventilation does not cause rot. Problems arise with covers that seal completely and trap moisture underneath. A cover with ventilation points allows airflow, which prevents the damp conditions that cause rot and mildew. Always wipe the bench dry before covering it where possible.
A cover that fits the bench properly is the first step — excess fabric catches wind and lifts the cover. Beyond that, a drawstring hem pulled tight under the bench base holds in most conditions. For exposed gardens, eyelets with rope tied under the bench legs or to ground pegs give a more secure hold.
Yes. Custom made-to-measure covers can account for unusual shapes. Measure the outer dimensions of the bench — the widest and tallest points — and include a photo or description of any unusual features when you enquire. The cover is made to fit those dimensions rather than a standard template.
Yes. Curtains & Covers UK supplies covers for commercial outdoor seating, hotel gardens, restaurant terraces and public spaces across the UK and Europe. For bulk orders, get in touch with your bench dimensions and quantities.
What is bench covers for outdoor use? A garden bench is often overlooked until spring arrives and you notice cracked wooden seats, rusty metal frames
You bought a decent BBQ. You bought a cover. And yet, here you are — a rusted burner, a warped lid, or a cover that
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