Moisture under outdoor furniture covers
Discussion
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!
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.
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.
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.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.
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.
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