UK weather is not particularly dramatic. It is not extreme cold or extreme heat. What it is, is relentless — damp, grey, windy, and unpredictable from one week to the next. That consistency is what wears outdoor furniture covers down.
A good outdoor furniture cover handles all of it. A poor one handles some of it, briefly, before it fails at the seams or blows off the furniture entirely. This guide helps you tell the difference.
● Rain gets into joints, bolt holes and cushion stitching, causing rust and rot from the inside out
● Frost expands moisture that has already soaked in, cracking resin, splitting welds and lifting paint
● UV fades colours and degrades both fabric and plastic surfaces faster than most people expect
● Wind-driven rain finds gaps in loose covers and soaks areas you thought were protected
● Algae and moss grow on surfaces with standing water, which is both unsightly and slippery
A cover that fits your furniture properly prevents all of this. One that does not fit well creates pooling, leaves gaps, and in some cases traps moisture underneath — which is worse than no cover at all.
This is the go-to material for most garden furniture covers. The 600D refers to the thread weight — heavier than the thin polyester used in budget covers. The PVC coating makes the surface fully waterproof rather than just water-resistant. It handles UK rain reliably and is light enough to handle easily.
The heavy-duty option. Used for commercial applications and covers that stay outside year-round in exposed locations. More expensive, heavier, and significantly more durable. For furniture that does not get brought in during winter, this is the sensible choice.
The material is only half the story. Seams are where most cheaper covers fail first — water wicks through single-stitched seams in heavy rain. A proper outdoor furniture cover uses welded or double-stitched seams with waterproof tape. Worth checking before you buy.
A cover that is the wrong size for your furniture will cause problems regardless of material quality. Too large, and it collects water in the folds and lifts in the wind. Too small, and parts of the furniture are left exposed.
The problem is that outdoor furniture comes in an enormous range of sizes and shapes. A corner sofa, a round table, a rectangular dining set and a single armchair all need completely different cover dimensions. Standard sizing never quite works for all of them.
Made-to-measure outdoor furniture covers are cut to the exact dimensions you provide — length, width, height. The cover fits your specific piece of furniture, not a generic approximation. No pooling, no gaps, no cover blowing off in October.
Curtains & Covers UK makes all covers to the measurements you send. The process is straightforward: measure, send the dimensions, confirm the order.
A fully sealed cover with no airflow can cause problems. Moisture that gets in from condensation has nowhere to go, creating the conditions for mildew on cushions and upholstery. A well-made cover includes small ventilation points that let air move without letting rain in.
If you notice condensation building up under a cover, lift it off on dry days occasionally and let the furniture air out before replacing it.
For most pieces of furniture, you need three measurements:
● Length — the longest dimension at the widest point
● Width — the depth of the piece (front to back)
● Height — floor to the highest point, including cushions if they stay on
For L-shaped or corner pieces, measure each section separately and include a note. For sets of furniture under one cover, measure the full assembled footprint including any gaps between pieces.
A 600D PVC-coated cover, used and stored correctly, should last three to five years. An 18oz vinyl cover lasts five to seven years. The two main things that shorten cover life are storing the cover damp and dragging it across rough surfaces.
Q: What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant outdoor furniture covers?
A: Water-resistant fabric repels light rain but soaks through in heavier or sustained rainfall. Waterproof fabric — usually polyester with a PVC coating — keeps water out regardless of rain intensity. For UK outdoor use over a full winter, waterproof is the right choice.
Q: Can I get a custom size for an unusual piece of garden furniture?
A: Yes. Made-to-measure covers are made to your exact measurements, so the shape or size of the furniture does not matter. Corner sofas, egg chairs, fire pits, large rectangular dining sets — all can be covered. Measure the overall height, length and width and send the dimensions with your order.
Q: Is it better to bring outdoor furniture inside for winter or use covers?
A: Bringing furniture inside is ideal if you have the space. For most people in the UK, that is not practical for full sets. A well-fitted waterproof cover is the next best option and does a good job of protecting furniture through a normal British winter.
Q: How do I stop my outdoor furniture cover blowing off in the wind?
A: A cover that fits properly is far less likely to lift. Beyond that, look for drawstring hems, Velcro straps, or elastic corners depending on the furniture shape. For larger covers, eyelets with rope or bungee ties through ground pegs are the most secure option in exposed locations.
Q: Do outdoor furniture covers need to be UV resistant as well as waterproof?
A: Yes. UV degrades both the cover and the furniture underneath. UV-stabilised fabric stops the cover itself from fading and going brittle, and blocks UV from reaching the furniture surface. This matters most for furniture with coloured cushions or painted finishes.
Q: Do you deliver outdoor furniture covers to Europe?
A: Yes. Curtains & Covers UK ships to mainland UK as standard, with European delivery available. Get in touch before ordering if you need delivery to a European address and we will confirm the cost.
UK weather is not particularly dramatic. It is not extreme cold or extreme heat. What it is, is relentless — damp, grey, windy, and unpredictable
Most garden chair covers look fine on the product listing. They look less fine by February, when the seams are splitting, the fabric has gone
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