Why Are “Breathable” Car Covers Important?
By John Funk, March 29, 2022
Owning a car can be rewarding. It can give you peace of mind, help improve your quality of life, and offer the freedom to travel in your own time frame. Using public transportation can be inconvenient. Owning a car is convenient, and it’s a fact that life can be much easier when you have your own set of wheels.
If you are living in an area with harsh weather conditions, owning a car can be a huge advantage, as you don’t have to worry about waiting for the bus in the snow and rain. It gives you flexibility and freedom of movement, especially for those who are always on the go. It also lets you go on unplanned trips and explore new places. It can save you time and also reduce the frustration associated with commuting to and from home and work. Owning a car makes it easier to carry out our day-to-day activities.
There are many advantages to owning a car; however, it is also true that your car is susceptible to various kinds of damage. A suitable cover is a must to protect it from damaging elements.
Is a 100% Waterproof Cover Necessary for Your Vehicle?
Many car owners assume that they need a cover that is 100% waterproof. They consider water to be one of the worst threats to their car’s finish. It is true that the atmosphere today is full of harsh pollutants. However, there are many other risks. UV rays can destroy your car’s interior by causing fading, cracking, and dry rotting.
Wind can cause pitting of a car’s exterior finish when uncovered. Rain, snow, and hail can cause considerable damage to your vehicle as well. Bird droppings, animal claws, tree sap, nuts, branches, and so on can be potential threats to your uncovered vehicle. Dirt and dust formation can also pose a threat to your vehicle over time.
An ideal cover can protect your vehicle from all these destructive elements. A car cover is “ideal” if it meets three basic criteria. It needs to be non-abrasive, it needs to fit your vehicle well, and it has to be breathable. A 100% waterproof cover can provide superior protection to your vehicle; however, it may not be breathable, which can cause problems to your vehicle.
Why Are “Breathable” Car Covers Important?
If a car cover is 100% waterproof, then it means that the fabric isn't breathable. When moisture begins to accumulate under the cover, it won’t be able to escape. This should be a major concern for car owners, because if the cover does not have the ability to breathe, there is no way airflow can get through the material. If the material of the car cover does not allow air to pass through, then condensation will build up. This can cause your vehicle to become a petri dish for scientific experiments in growth of mildew, mold and more.
This is the opposite of what a cover is intended to protect your car from. A quality car cover is one that should be able to breathe, to allow airflow to get through the fabric and let evaporating gasses escape through the breathable membrane. Your vehicle is at great risk of damage if it is shielded by a cover that is impenetrable to airflow.
The Significant Advantages of Using Breathable Car Covers
Using a waterproof cover for your vehicle isn’t as great as it sounds. Let’s see why going with a water-resistant and breathable one is a much better option.
- Moisture formation can easily corrupt the parts of your car that are made of steel, leading it to rust. It can also slowly eat up the paint job on your car when your vehicle is moist for a long period of time. A breathable car cover allows trapped moisture and condensation to evaporate quickly through the cover. This will not only shorten the amount of time your vehicle is wet, but will also prevent paint damage and rust formation on your vehicle.
- A breathable cover may not be able to stop water entirely from getting through, unlike a waterproof cover; however, it will be able to stop the majority of water from reaching your car. Even if water manages to leak through, a breathable cover will allow water to evaporate, rather than being trapped against your paint. It will repel most of the water yet allow air to circulate, preventing condensation
- Breathable covers offer better heat insulation when compared to waterproof ones, as they allow heat to escape through the materials used in the cover.
- A breathable car cover is made of tightly-woven fabric material that offers excellent protection from dust and accidental knocks. The fibers won't absorb moisture into the fabric and trap it next to the paintwork.
Why Choose Seal Skin’s Expertly Designed Car Covers?
Seal Skin offers expertly designed car covers that can protect your vehicle from the elements comprehensively. Here are some reasons why you should purchase a Seal Skin cover to protect your car.
- Our car covers come in a host of colors, sizes, and materials, and you can choose one based on your preference.
- Our expertly designed car covers provide a snug fit and also leave breathable space for ventilation to take place. The breathable nature of a Seal Skin cover helps to prevent moisture formation by allowing condensation to evaporate quickly, thereby preventing mold and mildew build-up.
- Our Seal Skin car covers are durable, UV-resistant, water-resistant, tear-resistant, and long-lasting, making them the ideal choice for your vehicle in all weather conditions.
- Our Seal Skin car covers are non-abrasive and protect your vehicle’s exterior from dirt, dust, scratches, and more.
- Our lightweight car covers are meticulously designed with multiple layers of fabric that are nearly impenetrable.
A waterproof car cover may sound like the perfect choice to protect your vehicle. But it isn’t. It can create a ‘greenhouse’ condition that will cause moisture and gases to be trapped, and you definitely don’t want this to happen to your vehicle. Trapped moisture can turn into condensation and get stuck between the roof of the cover and the vehicle, which can damage your car. Trapped moisture and gases can also promote rapid growth of bacteria, leading to oxidation and rust.
A top-quality lightweight car cover is one that should be water-resistant and breathable to minimize the moisture that gets through, but neither waterproof nor rainproof.
At Seal Skin, we offer an extensive range of breathable car covers and you can choose one based on your budget and need. You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to Midnight EST) and we will help you find the right car cover that fits your needs and budget. We will also help you if you have any questions about our products, shipping policies, and exchange/refund policies.
