Protecting your camping and caravanning gear, or your garden furniture, is essential in keeping it in good order and extending the lifespan of the item to deliver good value for money. But when faced with the option of a standard cover or a made to measure cover, it can be difficult to know what to do.
Here we will look at the benefits of each and the key considerations you need to make. This will provide some guidance to help steer you in the right direction with your eventual purchase decision.
The benefits and qualities of a standard cover
- Affordability – A standard cover is likely to be produced in much bigger quantities because it is not designed to meet the needs of a specific item, instead it is a generic cover. So mass-produced items are generally less expensive as a result.
- Availability – Because a standard item is produced in bigger quantities there is also more stock and therefore availability should be better. Standard items are often called ‘off the shelf’ for this reason.
- Versatility – A standard cover isn’t made for a specific item, so it may be possible to use it for more than one purpose, meaning it is for general use and is therefore more versatile.
In terms of drawbacks with standard covers, you may find that a standard cover leaves gaps or doesn’t cover an item 100%, because it isn’t made to measure for a specific item. You may also find that it only has limited features, such as certain handles, zips or fasteners, or certain colours and fabrics. A standard item will be made to a standard specification, and therefore might not have the specific features that you wanted.
The benefits and qualities of a made to measure cover
- Better protection - provide better protection and be more durable. This should also mean that your cover doesn’t have any loose material that can flap loose and cause an issue in high winds, again providing better protection.
- Customisation - A made to measure cover can be made to your exact requirements, which means you can choose your size, dimensions, colour and other features such as straps and zips etc.
On the flipside, because made to measure covers are a bespoke item, there won’t be any stocks held and you will have to wait longer for the item to be produced. It is unlikely to be made and dispatched immediately. This longer production cycle, as well as sourcing specific materials, means that made to measure covers carry more cost than a standard cover.
So in summary, if you want a cover quickly and cheaply and which could possibly be used for different purposes, a standard cover would be ideal for you. Alternatively, if you don’t mind waiting a little longer for the right cover, and paying a little more for it, and also if you have a very specific need for a cover, then made to measure covers are definitely the solution for you.
You can check out our covers for camping/caravanning gear and our covers for garden furniture and then can choose a standard item or a made to measure cover, based on your needs.