Garden and patio heater covers
Garden heaters come in a variety of forms that include floor and table mounted gas heaters, infrared lamps and terra cotta and cast iron chimeneas. All have different heights, widths and shapes and all benefit from either, being taken in doors or covered up during inclement weather or long periods of inactivity.
Ideally all garden and patio heaters should be kept under cover during wet or freezing conditions, however their weight and size may mean that storing them in a garage or out-building is impractical. When this is the case an outdoor cover may be the best solution.
What to look for in a good outdoor garden heater cover
A good outdoor cover needs to protect a patio heater from dust, dirt, rain, snow, frost and freezing conditions.
This means that the cover needs to be made from a durable material that is correctly shaped to fit the heater so that it will cover the heater from the top to the base.
Gas heater covers
Most garden heaters contain a replaceable propane bottle and they are tall and narrow with a broad base and a canopy top. The covers for these heaters need to reflect this unique profile and provide a snug shaped fit.
Covers for this type of heater usually have a full length zip that makes the covering and uncovering process quick and simple. It is important to make sure that this zip or fastener is weatherproof, i.e. made from stainless steel or a plastic (non rust) material, and that the fabric covering is strong and resistant to tearing.
If the heater is to be stored outside, the gas bottle and piping should be removed and taken indoors. Removing the gas bottle can make the heater more prone to being blown over, so placing some weight in the void left by the bottle will help stability.
Chimenea covers
A chimenea has a completely different shape to a gas bottle heater and, if it is made from terra cotta (fired clay) it will be prone to damage during freezing conditions.
In order to protect this kind of heater you first need to understand how sub zero temperatures can cause damage to it.
Clay has many microscopic fissures and capillaries that can easily absorb tiny molecules of water. During normal temperatures this is not a problem and when the weather is warm and dry the chimenea quickly dries out. If however, the chimenea is subjected to damp or rainy conditions followed by a period of freezing, the water in the capillaries and fissures of the pot will freeze. When water freezes it expand to form ice and this expansion can cause what is known as frost failure where areas of the chimenea’s surface break or flake away under the pressure of the ice’s expansion.
The way to protect against this damaging freezing action is to prevent the chimena from becoming wet when sub zero temperatures are predicted. This can be done by covering the chimenea with a weatherproof cover (when it is dry) and keeping it in a well ventilated part of the garden or yard. It can also be advisable to include some kind of insulating layer between the cover and the chimenea, this could be something as simple as an old blanket or some towels, but it is vital that they remain dry.
Other features to look for in a good cover
Make sure that the cover has UV protection and that any thread is waterproof (has a protective covering) and will not rot or decay.
If the cover is intended as a universal fit and is loose around your heater you can easily use some ties or line to gain a more secure fit. Covers that are loose can catch the wind resulting in the heater blowing over. They may also allow small animals to make winter nests within the cover.