Short answer: pack your garden furniture completely dry in a waterproof Bag'in, keep the top tight so snow and water run off, and brush off heavy snow after big snowfalls. Place the furniture away from the roof edge, where snow slides down. That way it handles both snow load and frost.

Snow on its own is dry and harmless. It is the weight and the meltwater that cause damage. When water gets into cracks and joints and freezes again, it expands and makes small damage bigger each time.

Also read the complete guide to storing garden furniture over winter.

How heavy is snow?

Snow varies a lot in weight depending on how wet it is.

Type of snow Weight per cubic metre 50 cm of snow weighs per m²
Fresh, dry and loose snow approx. 50 to 100 kg approx. 25 to 50 kg
Packed snow approx. 200 to 300 kg approx. 100 to 150 kg
Wet snow and sleet approx. 300 to 500 kg approx. 150 to 250 kg

That means half a metre of wet snow on a sofa set can weigh as much as two or three adults. It settles where the cover is flattest and presses down.

Uncovered teak garden table and chairs buried under heavy wet snow

What frost does to garden furniture

Material What happens How to prevent it
Wood Water in cracks and end grain freezes and splits the wood Oil end grain and legs before winter, pack completely dry. See wooden garden furniture in winter
Synthetic rattan Water in the weave freezes and loosens the strands Dry right into the weave. See the rattan guide
Steel and wrought iron Water under damaged paint freezes, lifts the paint and rust spreads Touch up damage before winter
Hollow aluminium and steel tubes Water that collects inside can freeze and split the tube Tip the furniture so the water drains out before packing
Plastic Turns brittle in hard frost and can crack under snow load Stack low, nothing heavy on top

How to protect garden furniture from snow

  1. Pack the furniture completely dry. Moisture that gets trapped turns to ice in the joints.
  2. Build a small peak in the middle. Keep the height around 90 cm, and put a stool or a pot on top in the middle. That gives the cover a slope, so snow and water run off instead of collecting in dips.
  3. Tighten the drawstrings. A tight cover lets snow and water run off.
  4. Lay DryTop Protect over the furniture. DryTop Protect goes over the furniture, between the furniture and the Bag'in cover. It protects both the furniture and the cover, and improves air circulation inside the bag.
  5. Brush off heavy snow. After big snowfalls, brush it off with a soft broom. Never use a shovel or anything with sharp edges on the cover.
  6. Leave the ice alone. Chipping ice off can damage the cover. Let it melt, and wipe off the water when it turns mild.

Keep furniture clear of falling snow and snow piles

  • Not right under the roof edge. Snow and ice sliding off the roof can weigh several hundred kilos.
  • Not where snow is ploughed or shovelled. The snow pile from the driveway should not end up on the furniture.
  • At least 20 cm from walls and fences, so the air can circulate.
  • On a firm, ventilated surface, such as a wooden deck.

If the furniture is exposed, secure the bag with Storm Anchor. Read more about how to secure garden furniture against storms and wind.

When the snow melts

Mild weather after a cold spell brings a lot of water and more condensation. Check the bag after a longer mild spell, wipe off water sitting on top and make sure the drawstrings are still tight. Read more about condensation and mould under covers.

Frequently asked questions

Can garden furniture stay outside in the snow?

Yes, when it is clean, dry and packed in a waterproof, ventilated bag. The damage comes from water freezing in cracks and joints, not from the snow itself.

Do I need to clear snow off Bag'in?

After big snowfalls, yes. Brush it off with a soft broom, never with a shovel.

Can Bag'in Nordic handle the weight of snow?

Nordic is made to stay outside through a Nordic winter, with a 25,000 mm hydrostatic head. Keep the top tight and brush off heavy, wet snow so it does not press down.

What should I do about ice on the bag?

Let it melt. Chipping ice off can damage the cover.

Which garden furniture handles frost worst?

Natural rattan, furniture with damaged paint and plastic furniture, which turns brittle in hard frost.