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Does Outdoor Furniture Need to Be Covered?
Does outdoor furniture need to be covered? In most climates the answer is yes, and watching your outdoor table slowly get destroyed by the elements is the reason why. While it is sometimes possible to reverse the damage weather causes on outdoor furniture, it can be an expensive and difficult process.
If your outdoor table and chairs are already weather damaged, you can avoid further damage by investing in a table cover. However, it is best to be proactive and get a cover right after your furniture purchase to prevent the expense and struggle of attempting to make your table look like new again.
A Quick Summary
- The 4 main risks of leaving outdoor furniture uncovered are damage from: sunlight, water, dirt and leaves, and animals and insects.
- Coverstore provides a wide variety of table and table chair set covers to help you protect the investment you have put into your patio.
- Coverstore’s four collections each offer different features and give you the choice to pick what is best for you.
4 Risks of Leaving Your Outdoor Table Uncovered
Sun Damage
This is probably the biggest risk to your furniture. The sun can cause both aesthetic and structural damage.
Wood tables and chairs will fade or become sun bleached if left outside in the sun all day every day. This damage can be reversed, but the process is often difficult and time consuming. As the wood continues to be damaged by the sun, it will become weaker. This opens it up to the risk of cracking and splintering. UV exposure is one of the main reasons to protect outdoor wood furniture before the fading starts rather than after.
Water Damage
If you live in an area that rains a lot, you definitely need to be proactive in protecting your outdoor furniture. No one likes the surprise of sitting on a wet chair, especially if there’s a cushion on it.
When the water on wood furniture dries, it typically will leave water stains. Like sun damage, these stains can be removed or covered up, but the process can be difficult and expensive.
Water also encourages wood to rot and metal to rust, neither of which are ideal for your patio. Trapped moisture is also how mold and mildew get started, which is why a breathable, water-resistant table cover protects better than a sealed plastic sheet.
Dirt and Leaves
If your table and chairs are under a tree, leaves are sure to fall on it. When doing yard work, grass and dirt may fly up and get on the furniture. This means you’ll need to wipe down your furniture before use, and some of it may still get stuck in the cracks (especially if you have wicker furniture).
Another pesky substance that can dirty up your furniture is pollen. In spring, pollen seems to appear out of nowhere. It will cover your car, your outdoor furniture, and anything else that is left outside. Cut down on your cleaning time and invest in an outdoor furniture cover. Read how to effectively remove pollen from your furniture.
Animals and Insects
Bird and squirrel droppings are never a welcome sight on tables and chairs. Your plans to have a nice outdoor dinner could quickly be ruined by various critters leaving you special "gifts" on your furniture.
Spring also brings more issues from animals and insects, namely squirrels. Squirrels love to chew, and leaving your outdoor cushions or pillows out in the open is squirrel heaven. Once they chew a hole in your cushion, that gives cockroaches and other unpleasant insects the chance to burrow inside.
One More Risk: Wind
Wind rarely gets blamed for outdoor furniture damage, but it does two things at once. It sends lightweight chairs, umbrellas, and cushions across the yard, and it carries grit, twigs, and debris that scratch tabletops and finishes on the way past.
Knowing how to keep patio furniture from blowing away matters most with aluminum, resin, and folding pieces, which are the first to move. If you live somewhere gusty, heavier outdoor furniture built for windy areas is the long term fix. In the meantime, the practical ways to secure patio furniture from wind are to weigh down the base with furniture weights or sandbags, group pieces together so they brace each other, and move anything light against a wall or fence before a storm.
Wind is also the reason a poorly secured cover fails. A cover that only drapes over the table will lift, flap, and eventually tear. Look for buckle straps and a drawcord on the bottom hem so the cover stays put through a storm rather than ending up in your neighbor's yard.
What Happens to an Uncovered Table Over Time
How long does outdoor furniture last? Long enough that the damage is easy to ignore, which is exactly the problem. Weather damage is progressive rather than sudden, and leaving outdoor furniture uncovered moves it through the stages faster. The sequence usually looks like this.
- Surface first. Dulling, chalky residue, pollen and dirt in the grain or weave, early water spotting. All of this is still cosmetic and cleans up.
- Color next. Sun bleaching on wood, fading on fabric and painted metal. Reversible on wood with sanding and refinishing, largely permanent on fabric.
- Then the material itself. Wood dries out and starts to check and splinter, sealant and paint break down, metal finishes wear through and rust starts at the joints and welds.
- Finally, structure. Cracking, warping, rot at the feet and joints, corrosion that weakens the frame. At this stage repair usually costs more than a cover would have.
How fast a table moves through those stages depends on your climate, the material, and how much direct sun the patio gets, so there is no single timeline that fits every backyard. Material is the biggest variable, and the longest lasting outdoor furniture materials, teak, powder coated aluminum, and marine grade polymer, buy you time rather than immunity. The pattern holds regardless: the cheapest point to intervene is at the first stage, before anything looks wrong.
When Should You Cover Your Outdoor Table?
Covers are not only for storms and snow. Here is when covering matters most, season by season.
Summer
Long days of direct sun fade fabrics, dry out wood, and make metal and stone tabletops too hot to touch. If your patio bakes from midday onward, cover the table between uses or add shade from an umbrella or pergola. Learn more about why you need summer coverage.
Winter
Freezing temperatures push moisture into wood, then crack it as the wood contracts. Road salt, ice, and snow load add to the wear. A patio table winter cover is the practical alternative when storing outdoor furniture indoors is not an option. Follow our guide on how to winterize patio furniture.
Rainy and Humid Stretches
Repeated wet and dry cycles are harder on furniture than a single downpour. In humid regions, a weatherproof table cover that breathes keeps surfaces dry without sealing moisture underneath.
Your Region Changes the Answer
Coastal patios face salt air, which speeds up corrosion on metal hardware and frames well beyond what inland rain does. Humid regions deal with mold and mildew more than fading, while the Southwest deals with the opposite: intense UV and dust with very little moisture. Northern patios add snow load and road salt to the list. Match the cover material to the two elements that actually dominate where you live, and see our regional breakdown of seasonal coverage for specifics.
Overnight and While You Are Away
Covering patio furniture at night takes a minute and keeps off dew, pollen, and insects. If you are traveling or closing up a seasonal property, covering is the difference between wiping the table down and deep cleaning it.
How Different Table Materials Hold Up Uncovered
| Material | What Happens Uncovered | What to Look For in a Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Wood and teak | Fading, sun bleaching, water stains, cracking, rot | Breathable and water-resistant, vented so moisture can escape |
| Metal and wrought iron | Rust, corrosion, chipped or worn finish | Full coverage down the legs, secure straps to stop shifting |
| Wicker and resin wicker | Trapped debris in the weave, brittleness, sun fade | Snug fit and a drawcord hem to keep dirt out of the weave |
| Glass and stone tops | Water spotting, etching, heat retention | Fitted top coverage with a soft interior lining |
| Cushions and fabric | Mildew, staining, chewing from squirrels and insects | A table chair set cover, or separate cushion storage |
Can wicker furniture be left outside? It can, but resin wicker holds up far better than natural wicker, and neither is truly weatherproof over multiple seasons without protection. Wicker furniture is not waterproof either, so repeated soaking and slow drying is what shortens how long wicker furniture lasts outdoors.
Avoid Damage by Investing in a Covermates Table Cover
We offer many sizes, styles, and colors of table and table chair set covers. We recommend using a table chair set cover if you have an outside dining table with several chairs around it. Getting one of these covers will be less expensive than purchasing chair covers separately, and is quicker to take on and off.
Several styles of our covers also include built-in umbrella holes. This makes the process of putting on and taking off your cover much easier since you can leave your umbrella in place. You can even purchase a matching umbrella cover to go along with your table cover. Learn more about our umbrella covers.
Our Collections
Coverstore table and table chair set covers are offered in our four collections: Classic, Elite, Ultima, and Prestige. We’ve outlined the most important features to look at when purchasing a cover for your table. Whether you have a square, rectangular, or round patio table, each of our collections offer premium protection at an affordable price.
Prestige
If you are looking to have your table and chair covers be a beautiful addition to your patio, the Prestige collection is the way to go. With its elegant design and superior durability, these covers look great while keeping your furniture safe. Here are the features making our Prestige covers unique:
- Made with thick, woven fabric to avoid rips and tears.
- Solution-dyed material retains color to avoid fading.
- Provides excellent water-resistance with a waterproof lining.
- Includes contrasting piping and webbing for an elegant appearance.
- Includes our best features: dual covered vents, buckle straps, a drawcord on the bottom hem, and carrying handles.
- Protected by a 7-year warranty.
Learn more about our Prestige Collection and explore our Prestige table covers.
Ultima
Our top-rated Ultima collection is engineered with state-of-the-art ripstop grid patterns to provide superior protection against tearing, ripping, cracking, and scratching, all while providing protection against moisture, fading, and everything in-between. Here are the features that make our Ultima collection top-rated:
- Made with durable, ripstop fabric to avoid rips and tears.
- Rot-resistant thread maintains the cover's integrity year-round.
- Includes our best features: covered vents, buckle straps, and a drawcord on the bottom hem.
- Protected by a 7-year warranty.
Learn more about our Ultima Collection and explore our Ultima table covers.
Elite
Our #1 best-selling material, Elite collection covers provide excellent protection at a wallet-friendly price. Here are the features that make our Elite collection our best-seller:
- Made from heavy-duty fabric treated for water and UV-ray resistance.
- Includes water-resistant seam binding.
- Includes our best features: mesh vents, buckle straps, and a drawcord on the bottom hem.
- Protected by a 3-year warranty.
Learn more about our Elite Collection and explore our Elite table covers.
Classic
Our most affordable collection, Classic covers provide you with year-round protection without breaking the bank. Here are the features that make our Classic collection great:
- Made from lightweight 12-gauge Vinyl.
- Includes a Polyester lining to maintain shape and structure.
- Includes our best features: mesh vents and an elastic bottom hem.
Learn more about our Classic Collection and explore our Classic table covers.
How to Find Your Table Cover
Follow these instructions to find the perfect cover for your outdoor table.
- Measure your table by following our How to Measure guides.
- Select your Patio Table Cover Style.
- Click "Search by Size" to enter your table dimensions. You can also choose to filter by shape and type, or simply scroll down the page to find the correct size.
- Select the cover material you want. You can always switch materials and covers before checking out.
- Read through the specifications, description, and material details to be sure the cover provides what you need.
- Click add to cart, checkout, and wait for your cover to arrive!
Can't find the right size? Explore our new Custom Outdoor Table Covers to find the perfect fit!
How to Cover Your Outdoor Table the Right Way
A cover only works if it is used well. These habits get the most protection out of the cover you buy.
- Clean and dry the table first. Covering a damp or dirty surface traps moisture and grime against the finish.
- Choose a snug fit, not a tight one. Too loose and wind lifts it, too tight and air cannot circulate.
- Use the vents. Vented covers let condensation escape, which is the whole reason breathable beats sealed. Read why in dispelling the myth of waterproof covers.
- Secure the straps and drawcord. Buckle straps and an auto-locking drawcord keep the cover on through wind.
- Prevent pooling. Pull chairs out slightly under a set cover, or add an air bag to raise the center. See how to prevent pooling water on patio furniture covers.
- Store the cover clean and dry. Details are in our guide to storing your cover.
Alternatives to a Table Cover, and Where They Fall Short
A cover is not the only way to protect a patio table. It is worth knowing what the alternatives actually do, and where each one stops working.
- Moving it indoors. The most complete protection there is. It also requires garage or shed space you may not have, and hauling a dining table twice a season stops happening by the second year.
- A shed or deck box. Great for cushions, pillows, and smaller pieces. Most outdoor dining tables simply will not fit.
- An umbrella or pergola. Cuts direct UV during the day, which genuinely helps with fading. It does nothing for rain blown in sideways, dew, pollen, or animals, and the umbrella itself then needs an umbrella cover.
- A tarp. Cheap and available in every size. It is also non-breathable, so it traps condensation against the table and creates the mold and rust problem it was meant to prevent. It rarely fits well, and wind gets underneath it.
- Sealants and UV sprays. Useful maintenance for wood and metal, and worth doing. A UV protectant for outdoor furniture slows fading rather than blocking it, and it needs reapplying on a schedule most people do not keep.
The practical answer for most patios is a fitted, breathable cover as the everyday defense, with shade and sealant as support. If nothing off the shelf fits your table, our Custom Outdoor Table Covers are built to your dimensions.
Already Have Weather Damage? Start Here
If your table is already showing wear, covering it from this point still pays off, and some of the existing damage can be walked back first.
- Faded or sun bleached wood. Clean, sand back to fresh wood, then re-oil or reseal to restore the wood finish. Teak and acacia respond well to this. Plan on repeating it periodically once the finish has been opened up.
- Water stains and gray patches. Usually surface level on sealed wood and often lifts with cleaning. Deeper staining needs sanding before resealing, which is the same process as refinishing wood furniture indoors.
- Surface rust on metal. To remove rust from patio furniture, knock it back with fine grit sandpaper or a rust remover, then touch up with a primer and paint made for metal. Catch it at the joints and welds first, since that is where rust on patio furniture spreads from.
- Mildew on fabric and wicker. Wash with a mild soap solution and a soft brush, then dry completely before anything goes back on top of it.
- Cracks, splintering, and rot. This is past cosmetic. Repair what you can, and be realistic that structural rot in the legs or joints means replacement.
Whatever you restore, cover it afterward. Refinished wood and freshly painted metal are more vulnerable to the elements than the factory finish was, not less. Our guide to caring for outdoor furniture covers material specific cleaning in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does outdoor furniture need to be covered if it is weather resistant?
Weather resistant is not the same as weatherproof. Materials sold for outdoor use are built to survive exposure, not to look new after years of it. Covering slows fading, rust, and rot on every material.
Does patio furniture need to be covered at night?
Covering at night is optional but worthwhile in pollen season, in humid areas where dew settles heavily, and anywhere insects are a problem. At minimum, cover cushions.
Is it worth covering outdoor furniture?
A cover costs a fraction of the furniture it protects and removes most of the cleaning and refinishing work. That is the trade most owners make it for.
Can wicker furniture be left outside?
Resin wicker handles outdoor conditions better than natural wicker, but neither is fully weatherproof. Both benefit from a fitted cover, especially where debris collects in the weave.
How do you keep outdoor furniture from blowing away?
Weigh down the base with furniture weights or sandbags, group pieces so they brace each other, fold and store umbrellas, and bring cushions in. A cover with buckle straps and a drawcord hem stays on in wind far better than one that simply drapes.
Do covers cause mold on patio furniture?
Only when moisture is sealed in. A vented, breathable, water-resistant cover placed over a dry table lets condensation evaporate instead of collecting.
Ready to Protect Your Outdoor Table?
Measure your table, pick your collection, and find a cover built to fit it. With four collections and custom sizing, there is a fit for every patio table.
Final Thoughts
In short, there is no need for you to go through the trouble of restoring and fixing damage to your outdoor furniture. This damage can easily be prevented by investing in a Covermates outdoor table cover. With our huge selection, you are sure to find what you need to protect the things you love.
**Please note that cover features and availability may vary based on collection and cover type.
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