As the season grows colder your fire pit will soon become the main attraction for backyard entertaining. From protecting your pit from the elements to having easy access for removal, you need outdoor cover protection that will shape the season in your favor.
Your pit deserves nothing less than the highest quality when it comes to protection, and these tips will help you narrow down which cover is the best fit for your pit.
Start at the Top
Understanding why your fire pit needs to be covered is the important first step in fire pit cover buying. As far as stationary backyard essentials go, uncovered fire pits are subject to both inclement weather and environmental elements such as fading caused by UV ray damage, rusting of metal components, and gradual abrasion.
Additionally, animal nests and natural debris such fallen branches and leaves are just a few of the other undesirable side effects that come with leaving a fire pit unprotected for the winter.
Play it Safe!
Safety is another key factor to consider for proper coverage. Keeping children and pets away from the curiosity of an uncovered, unattended fire pit can be a challenge, making a fire pit cover a natural solution to this particular problem.
You can minimize the chances of curiosity getting the better of your young ones by adding a secure custom cover to your fiery outdoor accessory. Options for customization make finding a cover for your brand or type of fire pit an absolute SNAP. With a secure, snug fitting cover, you greatly reduce the potential for hazard in your household.
Ship Shape
Like that of sectional covers, fire pit covers require specific sizing and shape requirements in order to successfully and adequately serve their purpose. If there is one truth about fire pits, it’s that they come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and styles.
The variety of shapes may seem overwhelming to a prospective buyer, but this actually works to your advantage. If your pit is an unconventional shape, such as a circle, octagon, or even a column, having a cover that fits like a glove is essential for proper protection, so don’t settle for a misshapen cover.
Fit Up
The key to finding the perfect fitting cover lies in the possibility of complete and total customization.
Make a point to only consider a fire pit cover that has the option to be customized to the exact dimensions of your pit. This ensures that your cover will fit without question and won’t be affected by exterior elements that might otherwise shift it, tear it, or degrade its integrity in any manner.
Measuring Up
In order to ensure your custom cover fits properly, you’ll need to take accurate measurements. Precise measurements of your backyard fire pit is a simple task that can be achieved with the help of measuring tape, a pen/pencil, and a notepad.
Protection, Squared
Make sure your fire pit is sitting on an even surface prior to measuring. For square or rectangle shaped pits, simply measure and record the height, width, and length.
Circle Back Around
If you have a round or bowl-shaped pit, you’ll need to take the height as well as the diameter. This might sound nightmarish, but don’t worry.
Using a standard measuring tape, measure the height of the bowl first. This will be a straight line from the top edge of the bowl to the ground. Next, measure the diameter of the bowl. This is a straight line across the center of the pit.
Unique & More!
If your fire pit is a unique shape, you will follow the same basic measurement principles of height and width, but with the added step of measurements for each angle of your unconventional shape.
In doing this, you capture the structure of your fire pit, ensuring the cover fits the top, sides, and bottom to a T.
Keep in Mind…
Custom cover retailers, for the most part, will add an extra 1 to 1.5 inches onto the measurements you’ve submitted. This allows for give, movement, and stretching!
You don’t have to worry about doing any extra work on your end, just be sure not to add any extra length or height to your recorded dimensions, or else you might find yourself with a custom cover that doesn’t fit exactly.
Material World
Once the measurements have been taken, it’s important to consider the variety of materials custom fire pit covers are produced in. Not every outdoor textile is ideal for protecting backyard accessories.
The WOW Factor
There are a number of factors that separate inadequate cover fabrics from high quality protective tarps and textiles, the most important of which being UV resistant and waterproof.
The most highly recommended fabric for everything from fire pit covers to hot tub covers is PVC backed polyester. With high durability and weather resistant capability, PVC backed polyester fares the best in inclement weather than textiles such as cotton or canvas.
Get Acclimated to Your Custom Cover
Even PVC backed polyester can be susceptible to weather if conditions are severe enough. Keep climate and weather in consideration when deciding which weight of PVC polyester to choose for your fire pit.
If your region experiences milder temperatures and a fairly stable climate, a lightweight material will suffice for day-to-day usage. On the other end of the spectrum, heavy duty PVC polyester is necessary for areas that experience heavy storms, extreme weather or high levels of UV exposure.
Make it Personal
Don’t settle for less when it comes to covers, as the integrity of your fire pit lies at stake. The ability to personalize should be afforded to any fire pit buyer. Match the protective stylings of your fire pit to that of your outdoor living area’s visual appeal by adding signature monogramming, graphics, logos, patterns, or even a family crest!
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