With the inviting warmth of summer sunlight drawing us to the outdoors, our patios seamlessly expand our living space. From hosting lively barbecues and unwinding with a captivating book to simply relishing the invigorating air, outdoor furniture plays a pivotal role in elevating our al fresco encounters.
However, a query often surfaces: Is it advisable to wrap up my patio furniture during summer, even when the climate is predominantly warm and dry?
This composition delves into the rationale behind safeguarding your patio furniture, shielding it from the elements even throughout the summer season.
Must patio furniture be concealed during summer?
While the wisdom of safeguarding patio furniture against winter downpours and damp weather is universally understood, not everyone is aware that providing protection in the summer months holds merit as well. This is due to the fact that wet or humid conditions, even during the hottest stretches of the year, can expedite the deterioration of your outdoor lounge or dining furniture beyond what is deemed acceptable.
Safeguarding against sun-related damage
A prevalent misconception involves assuming that intensified sunlight aids in 'drying out' wood, thereby thwarting the growth of mold and mildew. Nevertheless, the summer sun can be relentless, and extended exposure to UV rays can inflict substantial harm upon your patio furniture.
Materials like wood, wicker, teak, and fabric are particularly susceptible to fading, altering hues, and disintegration when subjected to continuous sunlight. By utilizing furniture covers or opting for storage, a protective barrier emerges that mitigates direct UV exposure. This preservation tactic safeguards the hue, texture, and overall allure of your furniture for an extended duration.
Averting heat-related harm
When left exposed beneath the blazing sun, tables crafted from metal and plastic can absorb excessive heat. This renders the tables touchably hot and conceivably unusable until it cools down. By enveloping your furniture, patio table covers inhibit heat gain, rendering it more inviting and agreeable for you and your guests to bask in. This becomes especially crucial if you inhabit regions characterized by scorching summer temperatures.
Defending against dust and debris
Gentle summer breezes often carry minute particles like dust, pollen, leaves, and miscellaneous debris, which then settle onto your outdoor TV, imparting a soiled appearance and necessitating recurrent cleaning. Covering your TV with an outdoor TV cover will create a barrier that stops dust and debris from accumulating on the surface. Consequently, this reduces the quantum of maintenance and cleaning required, bestowing upon you more time to savor your outdoor milieu and less time embroiled in cleaning duties and repairing.
Safeguarding against moisture
Exposure to moisture can expedite the emergence of mold, mildew, and even initiate the rotting of wooden furniture. Rainwater has the potential to permeate cushions, infiltrate porous materials, and precipitate water-induced damage, possibly culminating in the corrosion of metal furniture.
Enveloping your patio furniture erects a shield against abrupt rainfall, discouraging water from making direct contact with the furniture and thus minimizing the likelihood of damage. This holds particularly advantageous if you are a resident of regions where summer rain showers are commonplace.
Moreover, shrouding your chairs with seating chair covers guarantees its preparedness for use, even in the aftermath of rain! After all, no one relishes the prospect of reclining on damp cushions or soggy seats.
How should outdoor furniture be tended to?
Although outdoor furniture boasts durability and a prolonged lifespan, allotting a modicum of tender loving care to your tables, chairs, and sofas goes a long way in preserving their aesthetic and functional appeal. Regularly brush down your pieces every few days to dispel accumulated dirt or debris from cushions or wooden surfaces, thus thwarting potential stains.
For spills of food or beverages on your exterior furnishings, it's imperative to expeditiously eliminate any marks. Despite the stain-resistant nature of patio furniture, over time, discoloration can emerge. Contemplate the use of coasters and protective mats when serving meals to forestall unsightly water rings or heat-induced harm from pots and pans.
Prior to enveloping your outdoor furniture, invest a moment in a swift cleaning regimen. Rid cushions and wooden surfaces of any dirt or dust via brushing or vacuuming to restore the pieces to a pristine and orderly state. Ensure the dryness of your outdoor furniture, encompassing cushions or textiles, to preclude any entrapment of moisture.
Hence, to address the query of whether you should enshroud your outdoor furniture during summer—indeed! Even furniture with sunshade effects such as patio umbrellas should be protected with umbrella covers if you want to use them for a long time. Doing so safeguards your patio umbrellas against sun damage, heat-related harm, dust, debris, and plausible water damage. These collective safeguards contribute to sustaining its longevity and upholding its impeccable status. By safeguarding the visual appeal and foundational robustness of your furniture, you continue to luxuriate in your outdoor domain for years to come.
Is nightly covering of patio furniture necessary?
The necessity of nightly coverage for your patio furniture hinges upon a melange of factors—ranging from the materials used, local meteorological conditions, to personal inclinations. Though deeming it obligatory to drape your furniture nightly might not be universal, adopting such a practice indeed proffers supplementary security. This is especially germane for residents of regions boasting elevated humidity levels, regular dews, or the likelihood of unexpected nocturnal rain. Furthermore, the practice of nightly covering aids in averting the accumulation of morning dew or moisture, a breeding ground for the emergence of mold or mildew. For some special furniture such as fire pits, it is necessary to cover them at night, because the fire pit cover can protect it from sudden rain at night, which will affect the function of use. Should your furniture be characterized by its lightweight and ease of mobility, the convenience of covering or stowing it overnight to shield against unforeseen weather oscillations or prospective damage becomes particularly salient.
Which outdoor furniture is exempt from covering?
Certain categories of outdoor furniture possess innate resistance to elemental wear and may warrant less intensive covering. Instances encompass aluminum, wrought iron, and polywood furniture. Although these materials tout rust resistance and exceptional durability, it remains prudent to acknowledge that even furnishings crafted from these materials are not entirely impervious to climatic influences. Nevertheless, it is recommended to institute the practice of covering patio furniture, as this augments a supplementary layer of defense, thereby elongating their lifespan.