4 ways to protect your garden furniture during a heatwave
The final heatwave of the year is approaching, and while we speak a lot about protecting our skin and our garden plants from the sun, did you know that you need to protect your garden furniture too?
Different types of outdoor textiles, furnishings and structures all react differently to harsh UV and soaring temperatures, so it's important to know the best way to care for and protect the outdoor furniture that you have. With the right care, here's how you can make your garden furniture last longer.
Remove garden furniture covers when temperatures are rising
'Most garden furniture covers are lined with PVC to repel the elements during wet weather, but when they are placed under a direct heat source such as the sun, they can actually melt and leave a residue or stain on your furnishings,' says Andrew White, outdoor furniture expert at Harbour Lifestyle.
Create shade where possible, especially with lower quality furniture
Lower quality furniture can be damaged when left in direct sunlight, so implementing shaded spaces (trees, a parasol etc.) is vital during hot weather to create a cool and comfortable environment.
'Some materials in lower quality, less expensive furnishings can become brittle if left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time,' says Andrew. 'To prevent fading and breakage, you should ensure your furniture is well shaded during sunny periods. Alternatively, select higher quality furniture for your garden, with UV resistant, fade-proof textiles.'
You need to consider the material of your garden furniture and how it absorbs or reflects heat. 'Synthetic fibres such as polyester and acrylic tend to absorb and retain heat, meaning you will feel a lot hotter when lounging on them. Instead, choose fabrics in light shades with heat reflecting properties. Additionally, wooden structures tend to keep a lot cooler than metal ones – so choose wisely which ones you leave in the sun, and which ones remain in the shade,' Andrew explains.
Protect and cover glass
If you've got a glass table top, you must take extra caution. 'In direct sunlight, any glass-topped garden items can heat up to extreme temperatures due to the material's nature of retaining heat easily,' says Andrew. 'So, the glass will feel hot to the touch, and can be at risk of melting any plastic items that come into contact with it. To avoid this, use caution around any garden glass, and introduce a parasol to create shade.'
Preserve the natural appearance of wooden furniture
But wooden furniture can pose problems too, as Andrew explains: 'Over time, wooden garden furniture may naturally fade, and develop small cracks and fissures due to changes in humidity and temperature. These features are inherent in solid wood furniture, and add to the aesthetic of the wood as it ages. To keep the fading to a minimum, before sunny weather is due, use a protective, colour maintaining formula on the wood.'
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