Winterizing the Yard, Not Just the Boat

When people hear shrink wrap, they think of boats. Fair enough, since that's what you see in yards and marinas up and down the island every winter. But the weather doesn't pick favorites. Everything you leave outside takes the same freeze, thaw, snow, and wind, and plenty of it costs real money to replace. If you've got a nice patio set or an outdoor kitchen, the same film that protects a boat can protect those too.

What we wrap besides boats

We can shrink wrap just about anything, and the list of what people ask for is long. These are the items we see most.

• Patio and pool furniture
• Outdoor kitchens and BBQs
• Gazebos
• Swingsets and play sets
• AC units
• Pool filters
• Umbrellas and firewood
• RVs, campers, and jet skis

If it's not on the list, ask. The film adapts to irregular shapes, so odd outlines aren't a problem, and we can usually find a way to cover it.

Patio furniture and outdoor kitchens

Furniture is the classic case. Wicker, metal, wood, and cushions all age faster when left exposed, and moisture trapped in the wrong places leads to mildew, rust, and warped joints. Wrapping a full set keeps water off, and it keeps leaves, dirt, and the grime of a whole winter off your seating when you're ready to host again in spring.

Outdoor kitchens and BBQs deserve the same attention, probably more, because they're a bigger investment. Grills, side burners, built-in counters, and the surfaces around them don't love sitting wet all winter. Clean the grill before it's covered, since grease left on grates is no better in spring than it was in fall. Check your grill's manual for how to handle the fuel tank. A wrapped kitchen stays shielded and ready to fire up when the weather turns.

Gazebos, swingsets, and the big stuff

Larger structures are where the film's flexibility pays off. A gazebo has posts, rails, a roof, and a lot of places for water to sit. A swingset has chains, frames, and slides in odd angles. Film pulled over a proper frame handles those shapes in a way a tarp can't, and it sheds snow instead of letting it pile up.

AC units and pool filters

These are the ones people forget. An outdoor AC unit sits through the whole cold season with its fins and fittings exposed to ice and wind. A pool filter has its own set of parts that don't like freezing weather. Make sure each is shut down, clean, and dry before it's covered. If you have a specific unit and aren't sure how it should be handled, ask us when we come out, and we'll talk it through before we wrap.

Why film beats a tarp

A tarp is cheap and easy, and it's why so many yards look like a mess by February. Tarps flap in the wind, chafe the things they cover, and hold water in every sag. Shrink wrap pulls tight around the shape of the item and deflects water instead of collecting it. It's very durable, it adds stability when something has to be moved, and it preserves what's underneath. It's also a lot less work for you.

Prep that makes the difference

• Clean everything first. Dirt wrapped in is dirt you'll find in spring.
• Let it dry. Trapped moisture is the enemy of any covered item.
• Bring cushions and fabrics inside if you have the room.
• Remove anything breakable or fragile that can come off.
• Tell us how you want things grouped so we can stack and cover them in one clean shape.

Space, and how storage works

On Long Island, space is tight. Most homeowners can't spare a shed or garage bay for every piece of outdoor gear. If that's your situation, we can move and stack the items in a spot you pick, then wrap them together. Once wrapped, the stack becomes a protective outdoor storage unit. It keeps the yard tidier through winter and frees up garage room for the things that really need to stay inside.

In spring, the film comes off and everything underneath is clean and dry. There's no scrubbing, no mildew, and no guessing what survived. That first warm weekend goes to hosting people instead of cleaning furniture.

Booking and what to expect

We're mobile and come to your property. Estimates are free, and we can usually get one to you the same day. Wrapping is busy in the late fall, so it's better to call early than to wait for the first snow.

The shrink wrapping page has the full list of what we cover. When you're ready, call (631) 466-1739, and tell us what's sitting in your yard.