What are the benefits of having garden furniture covers?
You have no doubt invested a lot of money in your garden furniture or garden equipment. Covers can help to prolong the life of your asset, keeping it dry, clean and free from UV light degradation. Depending on the material you choose most Canvasman covers will last 10 years or more, this will prolong the life of your asset and keep it ready for use without the need for cleaning down or drying. Many outdoor cushions are not fully waterproof, so if these get wet drying them out can take a long time. Matching tailored covers can also be a really smart way of tidying up all of your outdoor equipment and outdoor space.
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We typically make outdoor covers for all sorts of outdoor or garden assets. Such as:
We can make outdoor covers for most many more products and assets.
We also offer made to measure covers for a wide range of equipment including Industrial and Machinery covers, Generator covers and Compressor covers. The featrues and fxixing consideratios are very similar for both. Some of the optional features you can have are ventilation mesh, roll up flaps and anchoring straps.
How tailored will my cover be?
We would recommend a good tailored fit, as this will look smarted, and it will also shed water better and withstand the wind better.
Some shapes only require a box shaped cover which is fine. This is also an option if you have a more complex shape and are looking to keep cost to a minimum. A basic shaped cover as will take less time in design and manufacture.
If your structure is a more complex shape then we can design and make a fully tailored cover to fit like a glove.
Should I add any allowance to my cover?
Adding allowance is generally a good idea!
As standard we would normally make and allowance for manufacture of 10mm on the length and 10mm on the width. This is to prevent the cover being too tight. Though for larger covers this can increase.
We usually deduction of 10mm from the height to prevent the cover sitting in the wet and dirt from the ground.
It maybe worth adding further allowance for ease of fitting the cover, especially if it is a difficult shape to install such as a tall cover.
If you are measuring yourself, please advise if you dimensions are with our without any allowance.
What fabric should I use
We have a wide variety of fabrics for outdoor furniture covers
Marine Grade Canvas, is a poplar choice, this is is a woven product and has a great look and feel in the garden. A breathable and heavily water & UV resistant fabric. The fabric has a Teflon style coating on the outside which repels water and a polyurethane coating on the inside which, along with being water resilient gives the fabric strength and stability. This is a very stable fabric that does not fade (except for mid and bright red that fade slightly). The weight is 340gsm. Please see the link for colour options: https://canvasman.co.uk/product/marine-grade-canvas/. If maintained will then this fabric will last 10 to 15 years if left outside permanently. There are around 50 colours available.
Heavy duty PVC. This is a more plastic looking material, which is fully waterproof and is easy to clean. Usually 610 grams per square metre, but other weights are available The life span if left outside permanently is around 8 years plus. However, this fabric does shrink when its cold and when its old. It also stiffens over time. However, it will remain supple enough to use for a minimum of 8 years. There is a wide range of colours available.
Makover is a lightweight cover option, it is great if you want something thinner and quick and easy to put on and off. Is a 500 Denier 240 grams per square metre PU coated Polyester. It is also flame retardant, so suitable for indoor covers, however this fabric will only last for about 3 years if left outside permanently so we cannot offer our 5 year guarantee for covers made in this material.
How do I stop my cover blowing off in the wind?
We have a wide range of fixing methods to prevent your cover from blowing away in the wind, or simply to keep it nice and taught.
Strap fixings
Belly Straps: These straps are designed to prevent the cover from lifting off. They are easy to use as long as there is clear access under the unit. We would usually recommend one of these for every metre in length.
Corner Belly Straps: These are the same as belly straps and need to pass underneath something on the corner of the structure, they are a great way to secure the cover with ease. These are useful if it’s difficult to get your hand under. We would recommend a couple per cover unless it’s a larger sofa or similar when a strap on each corner may be required.
Folding Side release buckle straps: These straps are designed for when the base of the unit is narrower than the top, and they gather the material in to make the cover looks smarter and prevent it from lifting off.
Adjustable webbing straps: These are used when looking to secure the cover to the ground and they provide a very strong and tension able strap the fully secures the cover to the ground or structure. The strap needs drilling to a webbing bridge, which is a slim line 5mm stainless steel fixing. It only stands about 5mm high, so doesn’t really create a trip hazard.
Drawstring or heavy duty shock cord in hem:
Not to be used for covers that go to the floor. Drawstring is really recommended for when a lightweight fabric is used, and it doesn’t work great with heavier fabric options as the fabric is too stiff for the shock cord to work.
Mechanical Fixings (Mostly for fixed furniture such as a kitchen)
With mechanical fixings, we generally recommend locking off one edge of the cover, then pulling tension into the other sides of the cover.
Lock off fixings:
Keder track:
Keder track can be a great way to achieve a clean and continuous fixing along a wall, it can also provide a complete water tight barrier and stop water coming in behind the cover edge.
Turn buttons:
Turn buttons are a very strong fixing, they have an oval eyelet that goes over the stud. The stud is then turned 90 degrees to lock it in place. The turn buttons are great for locating the canvas and they are strong de the 5 points of contact they have on the canvas Recommended spacing for turn buttons sis usually every 25cm, however on furniture covers every 50cm is usually enough.
Stainless steel snap caps:
Snap caps or press studs are used to secure the canvas when a neat flush fixing is required, they simply pop on and snap into place. They arent as strong as turnbuttons as they only have one point of contact on the canvas, but if spaced regualrly recommended every 25cm, then they will be strong enough to protect against most weather. Canvasman use stainless steel press studs or snap caps as they are much stronger and more durable than the Nickel plated ones. The studs come in a variety of options to screw or rivet to wood, fibreglass, metal or stone.
Tensioning fixings:
We have many different tensioning straps systems and our sales and design team will help you to choose the correct ones for your project.
The adjustable tensioning straps shown above are the most used type. Put along the bottom edge to keep the cover tensioned throughout its life. The webbing straps are a great feature and make it simple to adjust, tighten or give tension to the material helping to keep the cover looking great and protected from the wind. The ground fittings called webbing bridges are slimline and can create a slight trip hazard (image above), but they only stand about 5mm high and can be walked on. For furniture covers, we recommend spacing tensioning straps about every 40 to 50cm.
Eyelets and Elastic shock cord in hem to hooks:
Eyelets and elastic shock cord is an effective method for securing the edge of a cover to a structure, its ideal for sandpit covers and trailer covers. It offers easy installation, and the elastic provides tension to the cover. Note a distance of around 8cm minimum is required between the bottom edge of the cover and the hooks.
Raising the cover for run off:
Its generally a god idea to have Run-off in any cover to prevent water from pooling on top. Water pooling can damage the cover or the asset it is protecting. Even if the surface is flat and supported like a table, we would still encourage some un off, this is because some of the water resistance fabrics can wick water through if touching a surface. We offer a foam riser, which is a nice way to lift the cover from the surface of a flat structure and create a run off. The foam risers are cost effective and easy to install.
What happens if my cover/furniture is wider at the top than it is at the bottom?
If your structure or furniture is narrower at the bottom than it is at the top the if the cover sis designed to come vertically down, it will flap in the wind. Many Barbecues are like this. To solve this issue we would recommend the folding side release buckle strap to gather in the +material or for a bit ore cost, we tailor the cover to the exact shape and then add zips. The zips allow the cover to pass over the wider top, but ensure the cover still has a lovely, tailored fit.
Why would I need zips in my cover?
Roll up panels
If large for ease of handling , storage and maintenance
To allow to pass over if narrower at the base
Is a good quality thread required for outdoor furniture covers?
All covers are made with marine-grade thread.
Dabond V69 rot proof thread, it is in our opinion one of the world’s best outdoor threads. We offer a choice of Black, White or Navy-blue thread.
The thread will swell and fill the needle holes once it has been soaked and dried out a few times. Some water may ingress through the seams until the stitch weathering has completed.
Combination tables and chairs?
We would recommend having separate covers for each chair and the table. One large cover will be difficult the handle and store when not in use. It will also collect water on the top due to the lack of tension and run off
Do I have to take my outdoor cushions off?
Many people dislike having to lift outdoor cushions on and off their garden furniture. Outdoor covers can prevent the need for this, and also keep your cushions and furniture protected from rain, dirt and UV damage. They also save the need for taking the cushions off and putting them into storage, increasing the lifespan of the furniture and cushions.
If the cushions protrude above the top edge of the furniture, then it is generally recommended if possible to lay the cushions flat before measuring or deigning the covers.
What if I have strange shapes such as taps protruding from my cover?
If the cover is for an outdoor kitchen with a tap or other protrusion. We would design the cover to follow the natural shape of the furniture ignoring the protrusion, then design a box cover to go over the tap section, this would usually be fully integrated into the cover and would allow us to slope the cover off nicely without putting any undue pressure on the protrusion.
What is the process?
To receive a quote:
Please provide approximate dimensions and a photo of the item you would like to cover, our experienced sales team with then provide a quotation or estimate. If you would like to go ahead, we require a 50% deposit.
Measuring
If you are confident with taking measurement then this is the most cost-effective solution, we do have a wealth of measuring instructions, and our design team can advise in which dimensions are required. When the shape is more complex it may require a measuring trip and Canvasman offers a 3D mapping service. Please bear in mind that the more clearly and more accurately you can provide the information, then the better your cover will look and fit. Diagrams are always good, but we don’t need technical drawings a simple sketch will suffice.
Pattern making: If you have an oval table or similar, then making a simple pattern and sending it to us can be a great way to get a perfect fit. We can supply patterning plastic on request. We can quote this depending on how much is needed after receiving approximate dimensions.
The design process:
If we haven’t already received detailed measurements, then the design team will contact you to guide you through exactly which dimensions are required. They will then draw up your design in state-of-the-art CAD software. Designs will then be sent to you for approval, At this stage please be careful to check all details as once approved manufacture will commence.
Manufacture:
Cutting is undertaken on our CNC machines ensuring every piece of fabric is accurate to less than a mm. Sewing is undertaken by our highly experienced and skilled machinists, they are trained to work to a very high standard ensuring all stitching is strong and neat. Double stitched seams and hems are used throughout the cover.
Dispatch:
Covers will be carefully wrapped and dispatched with our trusted next day courier.
Installation:
The majority of the time garden furniture covers can be installed by the client and just need placing on and securing with the straps. Fixed installations such as outdoor kitchen covers or fixed sofa covers can require drilled fixings and again this can often be undertaken by the client, or Canvasman does offer an installation service. Please bear in mind that the further you are from Canvasman then the more expensive this could be.
At Canvasman, we understand the importance of preserving your outdoor furniture investment. That’s why we offer tailored solutions like our Bespoke Garden Furniture Covers. Crafted with durability and longevity in mind, we meticulously design our covers to safeguard your garden furniture against the elements.
Our bespoke covers are not one-size-fits-all; we tailor them precisely to your furniture’s dimensions. Whether you have a BBQ, patio set, garden swing seat, or outdoor kitchen, we can create a cover that fits like a glove.
Our covers are constructed with marine-grade canvas, which ensures exceptional strength and weather resistance. With marine-grade thread and advanced crafting techniques, our covers are built to withstand the harshest outdoor conditions, promising longevity and reliability.
Our expert team meticulously craft each cover in Yorkshire, guaranteeing you the highest quality craftsmanship. From CAD prototypes to the final product, every step of the manufacturing process is executed with precision and care, ensuring a superior end result.
We understand that every customer has unique preferences. That’s why we offer a wide range of fabrics to choose from, allowing you to select the perfect material. Additionally, personalised branding options are available to add a touch of individuality to your outdoor space.
With a 5-year guarantee on all our covers, you can rest assured that your outdoor furniture is in safe hands. Plus, with our commitment to keeping your unique design on file, you can easily replace your cover in the future, saving both time and money.
Protect your outdoor oasis with bespoke garden furniture covers from Canvasman. Made for the elements. Designed for life.
The fastest way for you to get a quote is to use our detailed online enquiry form by clicking the button below. It is the simplest and most efficient way for us to gather all the information we need to quote on your new cover. You are also welcome to call us at 01943 851 444, contact us through our Facebook page inbox or email sales@canvasman.co.uk.
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