Summers are great for many things, including hosting multiple guests from friends and family at your outdoor venue or establishment. To do this, you will need a patio umbrella cover. The perfect patio umbrella will help you stay cool and dry throughout your outdoor events, and it could also serve you for a long time if you manage it properly.
Here’s exploring everything you need to know about patio umbrella covers, including their materials, benefits, risks, and maintenance tips. Lastly, we won’t end this piece without recommending one of the best brands for quality patio covers, VEVOR, to streamline your shopping. VEVOR Patio Umbrella Covers, like other products from VEVOR, boast unmatched quality, and when compared to what other brands offer- they come at an affordable rate.
Let’s head back to our discourse on patio umbrella covers. Shall we?
Table of contents
Understanding Patio Umbrella Covers
The first section of this article explores the basics of patio umbrella covers, the central item in the conversation.
What is a Patio Umbrella Cover?
A patio umbrella cover is a material typically made from the same (or similar) material as your umbrella. As the name suggests, it shields your patio umbrella from external agents like sunshine, rain, dirt, and insects.
Whether you need to cover umbrellas for a single summer or many years to come, purchasing a cover to protect it ensures that the only thing you’ve got to do when you unsheathe your patio umbrella is relishing its shade.
Materials Used in Making Patio Umbrella Covers
Patio umbrella covers come in various materials and types to suit different needs and budgets. Here’s a rundown of the most popular materials used in patio umbrella covers.
- Polyester: Polyester patio umbrellas are a favorite for many users due to their sturdiness. Moreover, the synthetic fabric doesn’t shrink or stretch, excellently repelling water and UV rays from your patio or reclining area.
- Vinyl: Vinyl has excellent water resistance and is easy to clean. That makes it great for outdoor use. However, they could crack when the temperature drops.
- Canvas: Besides their typical durability, canvas umbrellas often sport a classic look with beautiful and charming hues.
- Olefin: This synthetic fabric is renowned for its low weight and quick drying time after laundry. It’s also highly water and UV-resistant, which makes it highly potentially durable.
Benefits of Using Weather-Resistant Covers
Using weather-resistant covers, like those in this VEVOR listing, benefits your patio umbrella in various ways. First, quality weather-resistant patio umbrella covers are designed with tough materials to protect you from wearing out too soon.
Besides the toughness of the fabric used to design it, top-notch weather-resistant covers provide additional durability against harsh weather elements all year long. That way, you can use one patio umbrella cover for longer, without replacing it. So, getting only quality umbrella covers helps to protect both the umbrella and your wallet.
The Risks of Unprotected Patio Umbrellas
What if you chose to ditch the idea of purchasing a patio umbrella cover and leaving your cantilever exposed instead? You might be signing up for weather-related damages or hastened wear and tear. Here are some risks associated with choosing not to buy covers for your patio umbrellas.
Weather-Related Damages
Whether it’s the sun, rain, or wind, frequent beating of weather elements can significantly damage your uncovered patio umbrella. UV rays, for instance, would quickly fade your umbrella’s colors and sheen, making it lose its appeal quickly, especially if you’re hosting your guests there.
The rains could cause similar fading effects over time. Worse still, leaving your patio umbrella to the mercy of the rains could accumulate moisture that makes room for the growth of molds. Allowing molds to grow on your umbrella could mean permitting hastened degradation due to the biological activities of the plants.
Meanwhile, excessively strong winds could directly get under your umbrella and possibly yank it, leading to some tears, especially when you’re away or unalert.
Wear and Tear Over Time
Having your umbrella-covered and leaving it exposed to virtually anything could tear it apart. Besides the direct effect of the elements, leaving your patio umbrella always uncovered places it at risk of quick wear and tear. These could come from rough handling or other brushes from tough objects around the space.
Additionally, leaving your patio umbrella exposed could lead to mechanical failure due to the direct impact of external objects or forces. Add that to a highly probable degradation that occurs as different forms of dirt and grit settle on your umbrella, and you’d want to purchase a quality patio umbrella cover to shield it when not in use.
How a Patio Umbrella Cover Extends Lifespan
Whether your patio umbrella covers were meant to last years of exposure to the elements or a short stint in your yard, storing your patio umbrella in a cover is the best way to maximize and extend its life span. Here’s what we mean.
Covers Offer Protection from the Elements
Rain, wind, debris, and UV rays will eventually take a toll on even the most durable canvas or umbrella material. Failing to properly fold or strap your umbrella could get it flapping in the wind at every major change in the wind vane, which could further cause hastened wear and tear on the fabric.
Besides, stronger winds can push under a patio umbrella strap and force it open, possibly causing severe damage. Rainfall trickles could also get trapped within the leaves of a closed but exposed patio canopy. Meanwhile, such water retention would eventually wear the patio, or even host dangerous microbes to hasten degradation.
The sunshine can bake exposed umbrella edges as molds build up and attract insects or surface degeneration. Quality patio umbrellas, like those from VEVOR, are resistant to degradation and rot. However, allowing the build-up of moss, leaves, and debris could dent the fabric with indelible marks that are tough to erase when summer returns. But these weather threats are only valid until you shield your patio umbrellas using premium covers from leading brands like VEVOR.
Using a Cover is Cost-Effective
Quality umbrella covers help you keep your canopy looking new for longer. If summers around your region get significantly hot, your patio umbrella’s dye may not survive its first summer. However, VEVOR’s premium patio umbrella covers are made of sturdy marine-grade canvas and top-notch solution-based dyes meant to last longer.
The product’s designers carefully crafted the thread to retain the dyes and retain their brilliant colors for many years. However, allowing debris and dirt to build up on your canopy can dull its appearance over time, reducing its aesthetic appeal. You want to cover your umbrella using durable and lasting covers to keep it looking new while doubling its life span.
Similarly, while preserving a great-looking fabric overlooking your lounge area is great, having much less cleaning is priceless. A properly covered patio umbrella needs less than five minutes of cleaning when the guests arrive, compared to lifting an umbrella with bugs, debris, and mold for a quick DIY cleaning. That way, your patio cover saves you money, time, and effort – without breaking your bank, especially when you purchase one from a company like VEVOR, whose products are known to be affordable.
Choosing the Right Patio Umbrella Cover
Are you considering purchasing a cover for your patio umbrella? We’ve put up a brief handy guide to help you make the right purchase.
Features to Look For in a Quality Cover
Once you have made up your mind to invest in a quality cover for your patio umbrella, you need to look out for these top features to ensure you are making the right purchase.
1. Water Resistance: The best patio covers, like those from VEVOR, are highly water-resistant. That means they’d quickly repel water from the atmosphere or other sources and avoid it from settling in. This helps in repelling mold or insects.
2. UV Resistance: Research shows that 40% of fading is linked to UV rays. Consistent exposure to UV rays could quickly fade your umbrellas. However, with a quality cover designed with UV-resistant fabrics, keeping your patio umbrella looking new and inviting for a long time is easier.
3. Fit: You don’t want to purchase an undersized cover for your patio umbrella that ends up leaving crucial portions of your umbrella fabric exposed. On the other hand, buying an extremely oversized cover may cost more, compared to a smaller patio umbrella cover, if you’re patronizing the same brand. You want to cover the umbrella using a fitted cover that doesn’t have to touch the ground when mounted, while adequately protecting all umbrella fabric.
4. Strength: One of the top features of quality patio umbrella covers is durability. The best covers are hardy and strong, which means they won’t be shrinking or stretching under pressure. Some also come with an extra layer to shield your umbrella’s colors from fading too soon.
Review of VEVOR Patio Umbrella Cover
VEVOR patio umbrella covers have excellent features that stand them above the competition. Let’s see some of these features.
1. Variable Sizes: VEVOR’s umbrella covers come in variable sizes to help you make a fitted choice. You want to measure your umbrella before placing an order to ensure you buy the perfect choice.
2. Sturdy and Durable: Every item from the VEVOR patio umbrella cover series is made of durable fabric and coating. These features help to extend your umbrella’s lifespan by providing firm protection from the elements.
3. Wind-Proof Design: VEVOR’s patio umbrella covers are also built with wind-proof features to shield them from ferocious winds. For instance, this patio umbrella cover has a plastic strap for a tight fit, and a drawstring to keep bad weather and raging winds in check.
4. Easy to Install and Use: Whether you’re installing it for first-time usage or wearing it for subsequent use, VEVOR’s patio umbrellas are properly designed for seamless handling. They’re easy to clean, fold, and put up without any ladder (each item has a telescopic pole alongside it).
Here are some excerpts from users who bought and used VEVOR’s patio umbrella covers.
Great fit…
“This is a good quality patio umbrella cover to protect from winter weather. It fits my 10-foot umbrella but has enough material to fit an 11-foot umbrella. The material repels water. There is a rod inside to help put the cover in place. The top is wide enough to fit the folds of the umbrella. I had a cover in the past that was narrow and pointed and would not fit the umbrella top. There is a side zipper and adjustable cord to close the bottom tightly. This is a very good umbrella cover for the money.”
Love this…
“This fits my large 10-foot offset umbrella perfectly. It seems to be made of a nice sturdy material and has a heavy-duty zipper, unlike my last one. I also love the built in rod for lifting it over the top. I had to use a long wooden dowel for my old one which was a pain. I’ve only had it one year so far, so I don’t know how well it will stand up to UV rays, but it seems to be good material and well-made. Nice price too, compared to some others I saw.”
Excellent Quality, Thoughtful Design, Great Price
“Purchased the “Fits Cantilever Umbrella Up to 13 Feet DIA” version to cover my Sungarden 11.5″ cantilevered umbrella. The size was perfect to cover the entire canopy and crank mechanism. The fabric seems reasonably heavy and durable. The seams are well done and properly overlapped. We’ve had a heavy storm since getting this cover last week and it seems it’s properly water-resistant when new. (I guess we’ll see how that holds up over time.)”
Installation and Maintenance Tips
Thankfully, setting up your patio umbrella cover is straightforward and can be completed in minutes. And when you’ve installed it, you want to keep an eye on it so it lasts for an extended number of years.
Easy Steps to Install Your Patio Umbrella Cover
Setting up your patio umbrella cover is pretty seamless. Follow these steps to shield your patio umbrella from the harsh weather and improve its lifespan.
- Begin by placing your patio umbrella cover on a table or flat surface for easier handling
- Unzip cover
- Using a rod as a guide (inserted into the cover, fly the cover over your umbrella
- Zip cover and tighten
Your patio umbrella cover is right in place to make your umbrella last longer.
Maintaining Your Cover for Longevity
Regular maintenance and cleaning of your patio umbrella cover is vital to keep it shining and prolong its lifespan. Here’s a basic guideline to help. Interestingly, these tips are also handy for maintaining your patio umbrella.
- Dust regularly: Dusting regularly with a soft, dry cloth or feather duster helps to keep dust and insects away.
- Spot clean: Should you notice any dirty spots on the cover, clean using a mild soap solution and a soft cloth or brush. Scrub the spot gently and rinse clean with fresh water.
- Deep clean: If your umbrella cover needs thorough cleaning, soak it in warm and soapy water for a while. Afterward, softly scrub, rinse, and hang to dry duly before reuse.
- Regular inspection for signs of wear and tear: Repair little tears swiftly before they expand.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Although most patio umbrella covers are UV-resistant, keeping them away from direct sunlight for as long as possible prolongs their lifespan
- Proper safekeeping: Keep the patio umbrella cover away in a cool, dry place when not in use.
Note that the frequency or extent of cleaning depends on your environment and usage. If your patio umbrella cover is exposed to frequent activities or harsher weather, it may require more cleaning. Also, understand that cleaning frequency depends on the local environment and usage patterns. For instance, if your umbrella cover gets constantly exposed to dust or bird droppings, you may have to clean it more often.
FAQs
We’ve compiled helpful answers to common users’ questions on patio umbrella covers. Here you go.
What Are Patio Umbrella Covers Used For?
Patio umbrella covers help to shield patio umbrellas from the harsh weather elements, dust, debris, and insects. They also help to protect umbrella fabric from degradation due to the build-up of microbes like molds.
How Do Patio Umbrella Covers Protect Against Weather Damage?
Umbrella covers provide additional protection from the elements by keeping damage from water, UV rays, and dirt further away from the patio umbrellas. Their extra sheen of UV-resistant fabrics also helps to reduce molds, mildew, and fading to prolong your patio umbrella’s lifespan.
What Should I Look For When Choosing a Patio Umbrella Cover?
Water-resistance, UV resistance, and fit are three major indices you want to look out for in a prospective patio umbrella cover. Purchasing a cover that doesn’t fit adequately or lacks sufficient UV-resistant features could mean you’ll be replacing your umbrella cover soon.
Do Patio Umbrella Covers Fit All Types of Umbrellas?
No, they come in assorted sizes. You want to purchase a patio umbrella cover that fits your umbrella’s unique size or category.
Conclusion
Purchasing a quality patio umbrella cover is almost as important as getting a cover in the first place. Your umbrella cover goes beyond preserving the patio’s aesthetics to protecting your umbrella from degradation. Plus, a quality cover is why your patio umbrella won’t wear out or tear due to various elements and impacts over time.
But of course, you also want to purchase from a credible brand like VEVOR for optimal protection and longevity. You also want to ensure you’re getting the best cover quality for your needs – and at fair rates, compared to competitor brands. Feel free to visit the VEVOR website to view their collection of sturdy and stylish umbrella covers, to make a perfect choice for your needs.
