Durable Traffic Cone Covers for Maximum Reflectivity and Protection

The Importance of Traffic Cone Covers

Traffic cones are a critical component of directing traffic and ensuring safety on roads, parking lots, construction sites, and other areas. However, traffic cones need to be visible and protected to properly serve their function. This is where traffic cone covers come in.

Protecting Reflectivity

One of the main reasons traffic cone covers are essential is because they protect the reflectivity of the cones. Traffic cones have specialized reflective striping that allows them to brightly reflect vehicle headlights back to drivers. This helps ensure the cones are visible at night and in other low visibility conditions like fog or heavy rain. However, over time these reflective strips can fade, peel, crack, or become dirty which reduces their visibility.

Traffic cone covers shield the reflective strips from sunlight, dirt, debris, and weather damage. This helps the strips last longer so the cones remain visible 24/7. The covers also make it easy to keep the strips clean so they maintain maximum reflectivity.

Safeguarding Stability

Another benefit of protective traffic cone covers is they give added weight and stability to the cones so they stay upright despite wind, traffic, or contact. Traffic cones are designed to be highly visible but they are also vulnerable to being knocked over or blown around in high winds or bad weather. This can completely defeat their purpose of directing traffic.

Covers made from vinyl, plastic, or other durable materials secure tightly to the top and base of cones. Not only does this extra weight keep them grounded if knocked into but it also allows them to flex and rebound back upright if impacted by vehicles. This prevents potential hazards from tipped over cones in the road.

All-Weather Protection

Traffic cone covers don't just protect the reflectivity and stability of cones - they also safeguard the cones themselves from environmental damage. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause standard traffic cones to become brittle and start cracking over time. Hot sun also fades the vivid orange color that allows them to stand out. Additionally, winter road de-icing chemicals and salts can gradually degrade and corrode the materials cones are constructed from.

Covers form a protective barrier against UV rays, chemical corrosion, oxygen degradation, pollution, road grime, and more. This significantly extends the service life of high-visibility traffic cones, saving time and money on continual cone replacements.

Choosing the Best Traffic Cone Covers

Now that it's clear durable traffic cone covers are a must-have for security and longevity, how do you choose the right covers? There are a few key factors to consider:

Materials

Traffic cone covers come in a range of materials like vinyl, plastic, polyester, canvas, and more. Vinyl covers tend to provide the longest lasting and most reliable protection. Look for covers made from heavy duty 18 or 20 oz vinyl that is double hemmed and reinforced. This offers superb weather-resistance and durability while still allowing some flexibility. Plastic cone covers also seal out moisture extremely well.

Sizing

It's important to choose covers that properly fit your traffic cones. They should slide on snugly while still leaving room for some air circulation.Measure your cones before ordering and buy covers specifically designed for standard 28 or 36 inch cone heights. Custom options may be available from some brands if your cones are an unusual size.

Visibility

Although covers provide vital protection for the base reflective stripes on cones, you still want maximum visibility from all other directions. See-through cone covers allow light to pass through so the orange cone color remains visible. There are also traffic cone covers available with additional reflective bands or orange/white patterns for enhanced noticeability.

Attachment Method

Covers attach via velcro, elastic, drawstring, or toggle closures. Elastic and drawstring attachments generally provide the most secure closure to prevent covers flapping in high winds. Toggle and velcro attachments offer adjustable tension while still allowing quick on/off. This option offers added versatility for frequent removal.

Stackability

Many road crews transport stacks of traffic cones in trucks or trailers so stackable cone covers save significant space. Stackable covers prevent velcro or elastic from getting tangled and damaged while cones are stacked. Both open and closed end covers may allow stacking.

Key Benefits of Using Traffic Cone Covers

After seeing the wide range of protective qualities offered by traffic cone covers, it becomes clear why utilizing them is so advantageous:

• Save money by extending cone life 3-5X times longer
• Maintain reflectivity and visibility in all conditions
• Keep workers safe with stable upright cones
• Easy on/off for inspections and storage
• Reduce need for continual cone replacement

Properly protecting your investment in high-visibility traffic cones ensures reliable performance year after year. For top durability at affordable prices, browse our wide selection of professional grade traffic cone covers today!

FAQs

Do traffic cone covers affect visibility?

Quality cone covers enhance visibility by protecting the reflective strips on cones to maintain their brightness. Covers with reflective bands or transparent vinyl allow maximum light passage.

Should I leave covers on cones while in use?

Yes, traffic cone covers should remain secured while cones are placed to preserve reflectivity and stability in all weather conditions.

How do I choose the right cover size?

Measure your traffic cones' height and diameter before ordering. Covers should fit snugly but allow some airflow. Standard sizes are available for 28” and 36” tall cones.

Will covers prevent my cones from blowing over?

Yes, quality covers provide vital added weight for stability even in heavy winds. They also allow upright flex so cones rebound if impacted.

How long will vinyl cone covers last?

Heavy duty 18 oz. vinyl traffic cone covers typically last 5+ years with proper use, extending overall cone life dramatically.