Patio Furniture Covers Canada: Fit, Fabric & Buying Guide
Posted by Outdoor Covers Canada on 26th Jul 2016
The best patio furniture covers for Canada are measured to the furniture they protect, made from a UV-stabilized, waterproof fabric, and secured so wind cannot lift them. There is no industry-standard size for outdoor furniture, so fit is the first thing to get right.
Patio furniture is produced by many factories for a variety of retailers, and no two share a sizing chart. Canadian conditions add a second problem: freeze-thaw cycles, wet snow loads and summer UV exposure degrade fabric and furniture faster than a mild climate does. A patio furniture cover is a fitted, weather-resistant shell that keeps water, snow and UV off a piece between uses.
Key Takeaways
- There is no standard patio furniture size, so measure length, width and height of each piece before buying any cover.
- A cover built for Canada combines a waterproof coated fabric, UV stabilization, sealed or double-stitched seams, and vents to limit condensation.
- Custom patio furniture covers are justified when a set is irregular in shape, or exposed to open wind.
- Covers should be fastened with straps, buckles or drawcords; an unsecured cover fails in wind long before the fabric fails.
- Clean covers twice a season with mild soap and water, never a pressure washer or bleach.
Table of Contents
- Why Is There No Standard Patio Furniture Size?
- The Fit-and-Climate Matrix: A General Framework For Choosing Covers
- Outdoor Furniture Covers By Furniture Type
- Housses de chaises de patio
- Outdoor Sofa And Sectional Covers
- Dining Table Set Covers
- What Does A Patio Furniture Cover Need For Canadian Weather?
- Stock or Custom Patio Furniture Covers: Which Should You Buy?
- How To Care For Patio Furniture Covers
- Shop Now At OutdoorCovers.ca
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is There No Standard Patio Furniture Size?
Patio furniture has no standard dimensions because it is manufactured by many unrelated factories for many unrelated retailers. A poorly fitted cover causes two failures. A cover that is too large pools water and snow in the slack fabric, which adds weight, stresses seams and promotes mildew underneath. A cover that is too small leaves arms, legs or cushion edges exposed to UV and moisture, which is where fading and corrosion begin.
To determine the size of cover you may need, a good practice would be measuring each piece at its widest, deepest and tallest points, then adding 2–5 cm of clearance. This way, you can mitigate some of the risk in buying a standard patio furniture cover. Outdoor Covers Canada lists the dimensions of each cover on their product information page.
The Fit-and-Climate Matrix: A General Framework for Choosing Covers
|
Furniture situation |
Exposure |
Recommended cover |
Why |
|
Standard-shaped chair or loveseat, under a roof or screened porch |
Low |
Stock cover, sized by measurement |
Overhang limits wind and snow load; a measured stock cover is sufficient |
|
Standard-shaped set on an open deck |
Moderate |
Heavy-duty stock cover with straps and vents |
Wind is the main threat; fastening matters more than fabric weight |
|
Sectional, curved or modular set, any exposure |
Moderate to high |
Custom patio furniture cover |
Few stock covers can match an irregular footprint without pooling or gaps |
|
Any set left outside through winter, open to wind and drifting snow |
High |
Custom cover in a heavier waterproof fabric, with drawcord and buckles |
Snow load and freeze-thaw cycles punish slack fabric and weak seams |
|
High-value set |
Any |
Couverture personnalisée |
Replacement cost outweighs the price difference between stock and custom |
Outdoor Furniture Covers by Furniture Type
Outdoor furniture covers are made for every common piece: chairs, loveseats, sofas, sectionals, chaise lounges, ottomans, dining sets, fire pits and umbrellas. Each category has a distinct fit problem, which is why a single "universal" cover performs poorly across them.
Housses de chaises de patio
Patio chair covers must account for arm height and back angle, not just seat width. A high-back dining chair and a low-slung club chair of the same width need different covers. Muskoka and Adirondack chairs are a good example: their reclined back and wide arms require a purpose-shaped cover.
Outdoor Sofa and Sectional Covers
Outdoor sofa covers are sized by overall width, depth and back height, with cushions in place. Sectionals rarely fit a stock cover because L- and U-shaped footprints create corners where fabric either sags or pulls. For these, a custom cover or a set of individual modular covers is the reliable option.
Dining Table Set Covers
Dining set covers are often sold either as one cover for the whole set with chairs pushed in, or as separate table and chair covers. A whole-set cover is faster to use but needs the chairs tucked fully under the table edge to avoid pooling. Round, rectangular and bar-height configurations are available.
What Does A Patio Furniture Cover Need For Canadian Weather?
A cover built for Canadian conditions needs four properties: a waterproof coating, UV stabilization, strong seams and secure fastening. Fabric weight on its own is a weak indicator; a heavy fabric with untreated seams still leaks at the stitch holes. Environment and Climate Change Canada's count the days each year when the minimum temperature reaches 0°C or below. For major cities outside the B.C. coast that figure is roughly 100 or more. Each day that then climbs back above freezing is one freeze-thaw cycle for both the cover and the furniture beneath it.
- Waterproof coating: a PVC, polyurethane or polyethylene backing on polyester or vinyl stops water passing through the weave.
- UV stabilization: additives in the fabric slow the breakdown that turns covers brittle after one or two summers.
- Seams: double-stitched or heat-sealed seams prevent the leaks that occur along stitch lines on cheaper covers.
- Vents: mesh or hooded vents let moisture escape and reduce the wind lift that pulls a cover off.
- Fastening: elastic hems, drawcords, buckles or click-close straps keep the cover in place during winter storms.
Outdoor Covers Canada's guide to heavy-duty patio furniture covers for Canadian weather compares fabric constructions in more detail.
Stock vs. Custom Patio Furniture Covers
Stock covers are the right choice for standard-shaped pieces in sheltered locations; custom covers are the right choice for irregular, high-value or fully exposed furniture. The decision is a cost comparison between the price premium of a custom cover and the replacement cost of the furniture it protects.
|
Factor |
Most Stock Covers |
Couverture personnalisée |
|
Fit |
Sized to a range; needs 2–5 cm clearance |
Made to the measured piece, including shape |
|
Lead time |
Ships from stock |
Typically 2–4 weeks [confirm current lead time] |
|
Price |
Lower |
Higher; premium depends on size and fabric |
|
Best for |
Chairs, loveseats, standard sofas, round or rectangular tables |
Sectionals, curved sets, built-in seating, odd dimensions |
|
Fabric and colour choice |
Limited to the catalogue |
Selectable |
|
Pooling and gap risk |
Moderate |
Low |
Because the fabric does not sag, a second advantage of custom covers is that snow slides off instead of accumulating, which lowers the load on seams through winter. The benefits of custom outdoor covers and the custom patio furniture covers ordering page cover the measurement process.
How to Care for Patio Furniture Covers
a soft brush and diluted dish soap for most outdoor furniture and fabric, and advises against pressure washing, which drives water into seams and strips coatings. gives similar guidance for decks and outdoor furniture, noting that bleach and harsh cleaners shorten the life of fabrics and finishes
- Brush off loose debris and snow before it compacts.
- Wash with warm water and a mild detergent; rinse thoroughly.
- Air-dry completely, inside out if possible, before folding.
- Store in a dry, rodent-proof bin during months the cover is not in use.
- Inspect straps, seams and vents each spring; repair small tears before they spread.
Shop Now At OutdoorCovers.ca
Whether you need heavy-duty patio furniture covers, fitted outdoor sofa covers, dining table set covers, or tailored patio chair covers built for the Canadian climate, we have many options in stock. Have a unique sectional? We also manufacture custom patio furniture covers for unique sectionals. Explore our complete collection of patio furniture covers online today, or contact us for further information.
Why Choose Outdoor Covers Canada
- Slicker Patio Covers use exclusive TriTex™ three-layer technology for clean, dry furniture.
- Avalon Patio Covers™ use GridTex™ 300D polyester and a PU inner coating for UV and water protection.
- Covers are waterproof, fade resistant, UV resistant, and breathable.
- Over 60 sizes of Avalon Patio Covers
- 9 Google Rating over 212 reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, patio furniture covers are worth it for any set left outdoors through a Canadian winter. A cover costs a fraction of the furniture it protects and slows the three main causes of damage: UV fading, moisture-driven corrosion and mildew, and freeze-thaw stress on cushions and joints. The return is strongest for upholstered, wicker and powder-coated aluminum pieces, which are costly to refinish or replace once weathered.
The best patio furniture covers for Canada have a waterproof coated fabric, UV stabilization, double-stitched or sealed seams, vents and secure straps. Fabric weight alone is not a reliable guide. Fit matters as much as material; a cover sized to the piece sheds snow and resists wind, while an oversized one pools water and tears at the seams. For exposed or irregular furniture, custom covers perform better than stock sizes.
Measure the length, width and height of each piece at its widest, deepest and tallest points, with cushions in place. Record the measurements in centimetres and add 2–5 cm of clearance when choosing a stock size. For sofas and sectionals, measure back height and arm height separately, because a cover that clears the back but not the arms will not seat correctly. Keep the figures; custom orders use the same numbers.
We recommend waterproof where possible for Canadian use. Some water-resistant fabrics shed light rain but absorb moisture during extended wet periods and under melting snow. A waterproof cover uses a coated or laminated backing that stops water passing through the weave, and pairs it with vents so trapped humidity can escape. Without vents, a fully waterproof cover can hold condensation against the furniture and promote mildew.
Yes, covers can stay on all winter provided they are secured and snow is cleared before it compacts. Use straps, buckles or a drawcord so wind cannot lift the cover, and brush heavy snow off after storms rather than letting it melt and refreeze. Check the cover once a month for pooling, loosened straps or tears. Furniture should be dry before covering in late autumn.
The primary difference is fit. Stock covers are made to a size range and depend on the furniture falling within it; custom covers are made to the exact measurements and shape of the piece. Custom covers cost more and take longer to produce, but they eliminate pooling, gaps and wind lift on sectionals, curved sets and odd dimensions. Stock covers remain the practical choice for standard chairs, loveseats and tables.
Clean covers with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush, then rinse and air-dry completely. Do not use a pressure washer, bleach or solvent cleaners; these strip the waterproof coating and weaken seams. Cleaning twice a season, at the start and end of the covered period, is sufficient for most households. Store dry covers folded in a sealed bin to keep rodents and moisture out between seasons.
Lifespan depends on UV exposure, how often the cover is cleaned and dried, and whether it is secured against wind. Covers under a roof or pergola last longer than those on open decks. Replace a cover when the coating flakes, seams leak or straps no longer hold.