A common garden furniture item that doesn’t get the attention it deserves, is the garden parasol. Like a number of other items, it becomes essential on hot, sunny days, but isn’t a garden furniture item you would instantly name when asked to, like a table and chairs set, a sofa or a barbecue.
Garden parasols are an essential garden item and help to protect us from the extreme UV rays on a very sunny day, but also provide shade for people who aren’t too comfortable in hot sun or need a break from it. Parasols are also useful for providing shade when eating round a table, when reading outdoors and even when using the hot tub. Parasols are made from heavy duty fabrics, which are strong and protective long term, but they need protection themselves and will only be effective if they are looked after. So garden parasol protective covers are an essential item you need.
Reasons why you need a garden parasol protective cover
Whether you leave your garden parasol outside over winter, or even over summer, or not, you need to protect it. Leaving a garden parasol exposed to the British weather can cause the condition to rapidly deteriorate, and even if you pack it away to store in a garage, shed or storage box when not in use, this still exposes it to cold and damp and can soon impact on the quality. So good quality garden parasol protection is essential, and here we have listed a few reasons why:
- Sun damage
Prolonged exposure to the sunlight can start to fade and discolour the parasol and it won’t look as attractive as it once did. UV rays can date fabric quickly, so even leaving the parasol outside when not in use in the summer, can be a problem. Protecting the fabric will maintain the vibrancy of the parasol’s colour – after all, this is what attracted you to buy it - and makes sure the fabric remains strong and thick and can do its own job in protecting you. Leaving parasols outside without protection generally, also exposes them to dirt, bird droppings, tree sap and pollen, which can all accumulate and start to damage and discolour the parasol fabric.
- Rain protection
Most parasols will protect you from sudden, heavy rainfall but they aren’t 100% weatherproof, particularly when exposed to persistent and prolonged bouts of rain. Eventually, fabric will start to grow mould if left wet for too long, particularly in winter when this moisture won’t naturally dry. This can stain and rot the fabric and very soon you will have a parasol that is neither attractive nor effective. This moisture risk also applies when a parasol is in internal storage over winter. This can still expose the parasol to cold and damp, as well as possible water leaks and rain leaks.
- Mechanism protection
An umbrella-type of parasol will have spokes and a crank system, maybe also a tilt system, which requires protection. This is usually either wood or metal, and either way, these materials can become damaged by cold and moisture. Metal can rust and corrode, while wood can warp, split and crack. These are essentially moving parts and therefore need to be protected in order to remain effective.
- Wind damage
A parasol that is not properly secured can catch the wind and become damaged, both the fabric and the mechanism underneath. Even if you have secured the fabric down, wind exposure can remove this and expose the parasol to wind damage. By keeping the garden parasol protected you are making sure it is tightly secured and won’t be exposed to excessive winds.
You can keep your garden parasol protected when stored outside, or inside, with a weatherproof cover from Bags & Covers Direct. Our covers come with a drawcord and toggle to keep it tightly secured and are made with a strong quality waterproof polyester fabric. We supply a range of standard sizes or you can choose a made to measure protective cover which will be made to specifically suit your parasol.