Moisture under outdoor furniture covers
Moisture under outdoor furniture covers
Author
Discussion

Frimley111R

Original Poster:

17,651 posts

252 months

Friday 17th October
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Any tips on this? We have a new sofa and table for outside and it came with a nice big cover but when I uncovered it the other day it was really wet thanks to, I assume, evaporation from rain water that seeps underneath it. I don't want to bring in all the cushions but it feels like I don't have much choice. With an older set we had before we mostly ended up sitting on the bare frames (rattan style) and not using the cushions!

Cow Corner

673 posts

48 months

Friday 17th October
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You will definitely need to bring the cushions inside (or at least into a dry shed/garage with good airflow) over winter, or they are almost guaranteed to go mouldy under a cover - really no other solution, in my view.




Edited by Cow Corner on Friday 17th October 08:31

DonkeyApple

64,515 posts

187 months

Friday 17th October
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Yup. If they're full covers then atmospheric moisture alone will encourage mould and damp.

48k

15,627 posts

166 months

Friday 17th October
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We vaccuum pack ours in massive ziplock style bags. Keeps them dry and they take up less room.

DonkeyApple

64,515 posts

187 months

Friday 17th October
quotequote all
48k said:
We vaccuum pack ours in massive ziplock style bags. Keeps them dry and they take up less room.
And keep out of reach of rodents. smile

ATG

22,468 posts

290 months

Friday 17th October
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A waterproof cover that is close fitting at the top but open at the bottom is a pretty good way of creating condensation. It's rather similar to a solar still.

It's a vaguely interesting problem. If you've ever done any camping you'll know that sometimes dew forms on the outside of the fly sheet, sometimes water condenses on the inside of the fly sheet, sometimes both sides are wet. The inner generally stays dry. It's quite a complicated dynamic system driven by temperature fluctuations through the day, temperature gradients in the structure, air flow, the amount of water that air can hold at a given temperature. Having thought about it a little, my main conclusion is that the unheated garden shed is a miracle of engineering.

OutInTheShed

12,426 posts

44 months

Friday 17th October
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ATG said:
A waterproof cover that is close fitting at the top but open at the bottom is a pretty good way of creating condensation. It's rather similar to a solar still.

It's a vaguely interesting problem. If you've ever done any camping you'll know that sometimes dew forms on the outside of the fly sheet, sometimes water condenses on the inside of the fly sheet, sometimes both sides are wet. The inner generally stays dry. It's quite a complicated dynamic system driven by temperature fluctuations through the day, temperature gradients in the structure, air flow, the amount of water that air can hold at a given temperature. Having thought about it a little, my main conclusion is that the unheated garden shed is a miracle of engineering.
The plastic chair which doesn't need cushions is also a great work of design which I shall enjoy if the sun comes out this lunchtime.

A shed is a good answer, but breathable covers and a ground sheet to stop moisture rising up under the cover can also work.

But mostly, outdoor cushions are a faff which stops you using the furniture casually half the year.

UTH

11,030 posts

196 months

Friday 17th October
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Well reminded, probably time to get our cushions in for the season.