How to Protect Outdoor Furniture from Rain

The days are getting longer and the grass is looking greener – this can only mean one thing: spring is here.

With warmer days on the horizon, we can all look forward to spending more time outside, having BBQs with family and friends, and soaking up some of that sun.
 
But, as this year’s storms and red weather warnings have shown us, strong gusts of wind and rain showers are always within touching distance. British weather is nothing if not unpredictable!
 
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at the top seven ways you can protect your outdoor furniture from rain and other unwelcome changes in the weather. These top tips are cost-effective and many of them will help you throughout the colder seasons for years to come!
 

Patio Covers and Verandas 

Offering all-year-round protection, Patio Covers and Verandas are great additions to any garden or outdoor space.

These garden structures provide shelter against rain, wind and snow, making your garden the go-to entertaining space in both the summer and winter months. Verandas and patio covers are great for protecting garden furniture items, as well as decking that can become damaged and weathered over time.
 
Available in a range of sleek and stylish designs, you can find a patio cover that will suit any environment and colour palette. You may be put off by steep price tags, but plastic patio covers are relatively inexpensive and maintenance-free!

Polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass too, and so your patio cover is sure to withstand even the strongest of storms.
 

Table and Outdoor Furniture Protectors 

We all know that a good set of garden furniture can come with an eye-watering price tag and are too costly to replace every year, but there is a solution!

Acrylic plastic outdoor furniture protectors are made-to-measure covers that prevent your furniture from wet weather. These super-strong garden furniture protectors also guard against scratches and spillages when one of your houseguests has had a few too many drinks.
 
Acrylic sheets are shatter-proof and 10 times stronger than glass, making them the perfect defence mechanism that will protect your furniture for years to come!

Furniture protectors are available in a range of colours to give your garden furniture a vivid pop. Alternatively, you can opt for a clear-as-glass table top that lets your wooden, rattan or metal furniture speak for itself.  
 

Cleaning and Covering Garden Furniture 

Whilst we’re on the topic of garden furniture, there are a couple of other things you can do to ensure your tables and chairs stay in spick and span condition. Regularly cleaning your garden furniture ensures that any stains are removed, and mould does not have a chance to start eating away at your furniture.
 
Plastic furniture protectors and rattan garden furniture are incredibly easy to clean too. All you need is:
 

• Warm, soapy water
• Sponge
• Dry microfiber cloth

 
To clean your garden furniture…
 

• Begin by brushing away any dirt, dust and debris.
• Then wash your furniture using a sponge and warm soapy water.
• Finally, dry your furniture with a cloth. Avoid any scouring brushes or harsh materials that could damage the surface of your furniture.

 
Plastic polishes are also available to give your table tops an extra shine! For wooden garden furniture, you can apply a rich oil and vanish to both protect the furniture items and keep them looking fresh.
 
Cleaning your garden furniture is a quick and easy job that is sure to keep it looking brand new for years to come.

To protect against poor weather, you can also purchase furniture covers. If you have some old tarp lying around, it can be used too. Any waterproof material is perfect to keep your garden furniture dry in the rainy season.
 

Storing Items and Garden Furniture in a Shed

For soft furnishings, fabric cushions and other delicate pieces of garden furniture, it is worth buying (or building) a shed to store items in when they are not needed.

Garden sheds are the saving grace for so many of us that are already struggling to find storage solutions and space inside the house.

Sheds are also perfect to keep garden tools and equipment, which could rust if left exposed to cold and wet weather. Make sure to clean any items before storing them for the winter to keep them in good condition.
 
There is an incredibly wide range of sheds available on the market today. Wood has been the traditional material to build sheds with, but plastic is beginning to become the new norm. Plastic sheds are maintenance-free and easy to assemble at home.

Many even have locks to keep your garden furniture safe and secure. Bin sheds are also handy to keep your recycling boxes and food waste bins stored out of sight.
 
If any windows on your shed become damaged or are smashed due to strong winds, make sure to replace them with acrylic.

Acrylic is 10 times stronger than glass, creating a safe and shatter-proof window that will last for years to come. You can get clear and coloured acrylic cut to any size or shape for a relatively small cost.
 

Outdoor Buildings and Garden Structures 

Over lockdown, more and more people built new structures in their gardens to be used for entertainment and work from home purposes, including conservatories, summerhouses, garden offices, and greenhouses.

These are all great locations to store a wide range of different items, including your garden furniture and anything else that might be spilling out from inside your home.
 
If you are considering constructing your own outhouse, summerhouse or garden building, consider using polycarbonate roofing panels.

Polycarbonate roofing—commonly called Twinwall or Multiwall—is the perfect, weatherproof material for any DIY project, and it is often used due to its high levels of UV resistance. UV rays can damage and discolour furniture items and soft furnishings—polycarbonate roofing panels can prevent this!
 
You can easily source cut-to-size polycarbonate roofing panels or purchase your own to shape at home. It is an easy material to work with due to its lightweight and impact resistance.

For more information about drilling and working with polycarbonate roofing and panels, check out our guide here.
 

Greenhouses

Regular greenhouses and mini-greenhouses are great storage solutions and perfect for keeping outdoor furniture and other garden items safe and dry.

Not only can you keep your potted plants and other flowers inside a greenhouse during the colder months to promote growth, but it is also a perfect home for garden tools and equipment.

 
Though commonly built from glass, greenhouse glazing can also be constructed with either acrylic or polycarbonate plastic (or a mixture of these two).

As previously mentioned, both these plastic products offer greater strength than glass and are shatter-resistant.

Plastic is also a lot easier to work with than glass and can easily be cut to any size or shape—making it perfect for greenhouses with round shapes or bends.
 

DIY Storage Boxes

There is a wide range of different garden storage boxes available on the market, coming in different shapes, sizes, and materials. But for those of you wanting to save money and still create weatherproof storage units, there is a DIY solution.

Many plastic boxes we have around the home can be used for storage, such as old recycling boxes and mason jars. If it has a secure lid, it is sure to protect your goods from wet weather.
 
That brings us to the end of this quick guide on how to protect your outdoor furniture and other garden items from rain and wintry weather.

Following these tips is a sure-fire to save money in future as you can avoid having to purchase a new set of garden furniture and tools every year!

You can find a wide range of these products on our website, and get an instant quote on any cut to size plastic panels and products.