If you have been searching for a protective outdoor cover for your outdoor furniture or barbecue, you would have likely seen many different methods recommended for securing protective covers. It can appear to be very overwhelming, with so many options from various different retailers, all of them telling you their securing method is the best and trying to convince you of the only one or two options they have to offer. It can be confusing, after all. Does the cover need to be secured? How windy is the environment, and what exactly is being covered? All of these will determine if the cover needs to be secured and which methods are best suited to your item.
In years gone past, the reliable go-to option was eyelets. They were especially prominent on the more budget-focused covers, as they could be effective, as fewer securing options were available, and were a solid budget solution. Although readily available in hardware stores, most premium cover manufacturers stopped making covers with eyelets. Despite being very effective in the short term, they have a tendency to corrode, rust and cause long-term damage to the cover. We have come a long way since then and have many more solutions, such as Velcro tabs, securing ties, Velcro straps, buckles and straps, elasticised hems, drawstrings and elastic toggles, not to mention more modern and exotic options such as weighted hems, all of which offer improved longevity and are more aesthetically pleasing.
Let’s quickly go through them one by one to discuss the pros and cons of each securing method, so you can understand the options available and see suggestions on which securing method might work best on your next outdoor furniture or barbecue cover.
Buckles and straps, otherwise known as a side release buckle. These are often used on backpacks and other applications, as they are relatively strong and fast to attach and release. They seem like the perfect solution to secure the cover because they are fuss-free and easy to take on and off. Often they are considered the premium option, despite the fact they are very cheap to manufacture. The downside to side release buckles is that when exposed to the elements outdoors, they go brittle, lose their strength and crack. If your cover is in an area that does not have a lot of exposure to the wind, they can be a great solution, but they are not the most effective when it comes to making the cover a nice, neat, secure fit. With this option, you’re paying for the convenience and speed, not for longevity or strength.
The other options are Velcro. There are two different types of Velcro securing methods. The first is two Velcro straps that go around the legs of the furniture. Initially, these are brilliant. They’re quick, and it’s very cost-effective; however, they do have a tendency to collect dirt and dust and will lose strength over time. The other Velcro option is a tab. Rather than going around the leg of the table or chair, the Velcro tab connects to another section of the furniture to create tension to make the cover more secure. This option often excels because it is stronger than elasticised hems (an option that we will outline shortly) and, unlike the earlier Velcro straps, Velcro tabs don’t require the furniture leg to be in the correct position, which is an added benefit.
Then we get onto securing ties. These are the most cost-effective. Ties don’t lose strength over time and are two pieces of cord, made from the same material as the cover, that are tied around the leg of the furniture or the wheel of the barbecue to keep the cover secure. The downside of securing ties is they are not as quick and easy to secure as the Velcro or tabs. If, however, you want a cost-effective solution that is very strong and will last, and your furniture has legs or wheels that are accessible, then this is the most popular option. At The Cover Company, our core principle is which securing method is going to be best in years, not just initially, and we offer securing ties as standard on all covers for free.
If you have been searching for a protective outdoor cover, you may have come across elasticised hems; they are a very popular option. An elasticised hem is a heavy-duty elastic band that is sewn into the hem of the cover around the base. The elastic pulls the cover inwards around the base, which makes the cover a more secure fit and also reduces the ability for wind to get up underneath the cover. If you’re ordering a tabletop cover, then an elasticised hem is an absolute non-negotiable. On the other hand, however, if you have an L-shaped or U-shaped sofa or barbecue, then you should avoid elasticised hems, as they can distort the shape of the cover.
There is an exotic solution that very many cover manufacturers don’t offer yet, but likely more and more will, and that is a wide hem to accommodate metal rods to make the cover weighted. This can eliminate the need for any other securing method and is a very elegant and effective solution that is particularly popular for barbecue kitchens that are against a wall. As a result of having no back panel, these barbecue kitchen covers naturally want to come off with the slightest gust of wind; however, weighted hems solve this.
No matter the item being covered or your budget, The Cover Company has a wide range of effective options to secure your new cover. For expert advice, contact the team 7 days a week by live chat or email.