What is the best way to protect deck furniture during a New Brunswick winter?

The best protection for deck furniture during a New Brunswick winter is to bring it indoors — into a garage, shed, or basement — because no cover or treatment can fully protect outdoor furniture from 5 months of snow loads, freeze-thaw cycling, ice, and sustained moisture that characterize winters across the province.

New Brunswick's winter climate is exceptionally punishing on outdoor furniture regardless of the material. The province receives 250 to 350 cm of snowfall depending on location, with Fredericton and Bathurst at the higher end and coastal areas like Saint John receiving slightly less but compensating with more freezing rain and ice storms. Temperatures routinely reach -20 to -30 degrees Celsius in January and February, and the constant freeze-thaw cycling — sometimes multiple cycles per week during transitional periods — is what truly destroys furniture left exposed. Water penetrates seams, joints, wicker weave, cushion foam, and fabric, then expands as it freezes, breaking down materials with each cycle.

For furniture that can be moved, indoor storage is straightforward and offers complete protection. Disassemble what you can to reduce storage footprint — table legs typically unbolt, umbrella poles separate from bases, and modular seating sections stack. Store cushions separately from frames in a dry location, as cushion foam that enters storage with any moisture content will develop mold over the winter. Stand cushions on edge rather than stacking them flat to allow air circulation on all surfaces.

For furniture that is too heavy or too built-in to move — permanent benches, heavy stone-top tables, cast iron sets — breathable furniture covers are the correct approach. Do not use plastic tarps, which are not recommended because they trap moisture against the furniture surface and create a humid microenvironment where mold thrives even in cold temperatures. When temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing, condensation forms on the inside of a plastic tarp, keeping the furniture perpetually damp. Breathable covers made from solution-dyed polyester fabric allow water vapour to escape while shedding rain and snow from the exterior surface.

Proper fit matters when using covers. A cover that is too large will catch wind and billow, allowing snow to enter from the bottom. Measure your furniture and purchase covers sized to the specific piece, securing them with bungee cords or tie-down straps. After heavy snowfalls, brush accumulated snow off the covers to prevent the weight from collapsing the cover onto the furniture.

Different furniture materials have different vulnerabilities. Aluminum frames are the most winter-tolerant and can survive outdoors with just a breathable cover. Teak and other hardwoods develop a grey patina but remain structurally sound if properly joined, though standing water that freezes in joints will eventually loosen them. Resin wicker becomes brittle at very cold temperatures and can crack if heavy snow compresses it. Wrought iron develops rust at any point where the powder coat has been scratched, and New Brunswick's salt-laden winter air accelerates this corrosion.

Cushions deserve special emphasis because they are the most vulnerable and expensive component. Modern outdoor cushion foam is open-cell polyurethane wrapped in solution-dyed acrylic fabric like Sunbrella, and while these materials resist moisture better than indoor upholstery, they are not designed for sustained winter exposure. Foam that absorbs water and freezes will break down structurally, losing resilience and developing permanent compression. A full set of quality outdoor cushions for a 6-piece seating group costs $600 to $1,200, making indoor winter storage the most cost-effective maintenance step you can take. Before storing for the season, clean every piece thoroughly, treat any rust spots on metal furniture, and apply a fresh coat of marine wax to aluminum and painted surfaces.

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