Rattan sofa - what do you do when it rains

[wjwren]

Thinking of buying a sofa for the patio, the covers are meant to be waterproof but any cushions ive had in the past go mouldy when wet.
What do you guys do, bring the cushions in or get covers?

[overunder12g]

We sell these products. Do not leave cushions outside when wet. Certainly do not cover, you will encourage mould. Similarly do not cover rattan sofa, simple power wash next spring. Rattan will most likely be synthetic so no problem being exposed to the elements. Cover any of these products and you will simply reduce airflow and encourage mould. Depends on the quality of your product, but, above applies to "good quality" items.

[wjwren]

So is it best to bring the cushions in?

thanks

[Oceanic]

We have inherited some Ratan stuff when we bought our new place a few months back, what is the consensus?... Rattan is starting to feel pretty passé

[LaserTam]

wjwren said:

So is it best to bring the cushions in?

thanks

Yes, unlikely they are entirely waterproof even if they claim they are, so the cushion inside will probably hold water, will struggle dry and then mold will start. Its a pain in the arse but no alternative.

[anonymous-user]

We always bring our cushions in every night.

2 years on and everything still looks brand new.

[bogie]

Leave it out in all weathers, and we have another big rattan storage box with waterproof liner for the cushions. Just stack them in there, otherwise you end up with conservatory/kitchen stacked up with cushions at every sign of intermittent rain like we have here in our "summer"

[JulianPH]

overunder12g said:

We sell these products. Do not leave cushions outside when wet. Certainly do not cover, you will encourage mould. Similarly do not cover rattan sofa, simple power wash next spring. Rattan will most likely be synthetic so no problem being exposed to the elements. Cover any of these products and you will simply reduce airflow and encourage mould. Depends on the quality of your product, but, above applies to "good quality" items.

Can you PM me please, I am looking to buy quite a bit of this stuff. Cheers.

[hyphen]

bogie said:

Leave it out in all weathers, and we have another big rattan storage box with waterproof liner for the cushions. Just stack them in there, otherwise you end up with conservatory/kitchen stacked up with cushions at every sign of intermittent rain like we have here in our "summer"

As above, an outside storage solution near to the sofa would be best idea. Or if you have a table with it, storing it underneath that perhaps.

[wjwren]

im now thinking of building a pergola type structure as I want the decking area to be dry and just be able to leave the cushions out.
The weather we have had of late means im forever bringing them in and out. They are currently out and it's tipping it down!

If anyone has any good roofing idea's for these then id be glad to hear.

Edited by wjwren on Saturday 22 July 20:08

[Craigybaby69]

Everything discussed so far is what I've been through including the final straw of building a pergola last week

What a PITA

[skilly1]

Some of this years range of bramblecrest rattan furniture come with cushions you can leave outside even when raining. They still feel nice - not plasticy but are designed to drain the rain through very quickly so dry out fast in the sun and do not rot.

[wjwren]

craig is that plastic corrugated? thanks

[fastbikes76]

I'm about to extend our pergola and add a corrugated roof too. B&Q do bronze tinted ones for £30 each for 3m lengths. I will be adding sides as well withe feather board or something so it will be pretty weather tight and then fitting some rattan furniture. Going for the synthetic stuff though and one with storage box so we can chuck cushions in.

[Craigybaby69]

Yes, from wickes, about 60 quids worth

[wjwren]

Im not too keen on corregated but there is limited choice. Glass is too expensive. Im thinking of maybe canvas.

[Craigybaby69]

The corrugated looks better than I was expecting...i thought it would be brittle as well but it's quite bendy and flexible. The wife has a plan to get some tension wire and material from Ikea and make some sort of retractable roof to fit under the corrugated roof to improve the appearance as well as give us much needed shade on the odd scorchio day.

[996c2]

wjwren said:

im now thinking of building a pergola type structure as I want the decking area to be dry and just be able to leave the cushions out.
The weather we have had of late means im forever bringing them in and out. They are currently out and it's tipping it down!

If anyone has any good roofing idea's for these then id be glad to hear.

Edited by wjwren on Saturday 22 July 20:08

These are good but not cheap.

http://m.costco.co.uk/view/p/palram-vitoria-5000-a...

[wjwren]

Im after this (just the canopy material) but in 5m x 4m. Anyone know where you can buy something either this size or tailor made?

cheers

[hyphen]

Won't that get filthy very fast? More so with the folds gathering rain and debris/leaves.

My thoughts are that I would either do it cheap and go with corrugated, or do it like an extension roof and board out and add multiple pieces of raised glass (i.e. Velux look) or a lantern.

Would definitely add sides though, as mosquitoes we have would be having a great time feeding in the evenings otherwise!