Outdoor Carpets: A Guide To Selecting

Outdoor carpet choices, styles and applications have become almost overwhelming, and the builder or homeowner is faced with a far more difficult choice than at the times when there were only a few options.

You also need to consider where you are going to put the outdoor carpet. Whether it’s for your deck, the patio, or for around your pool, there are different types of outdoor carpeting that are on the market.

In all cases, the main thing that you will have to consider, regardless of the outdoor carpet style that you will ultimately choose, is the amount of humidity that the outdoor carpet will be subject to. This will have a strong effect on needed quality and price.

The basic material for outdoor carpet production is olefin, which is a derived version of Polypropylene its texture is a little rough compared to other choices but it’s quite resistant, so it’s a decent enough choice for heavy duty use. Its resistance to sunlight is also good, so colors won’t fade on an olefin outdoor carpets.

There are several different grades of outdoor carpeting available. The cheapest is the typical grassy green material that you can find decking out outdoor sports venues. Economy grade outdoor carpet is decent enough for application underneath covered outdoor areas such as patios.

The next step up is higher quality grass-like olefin base outdoor carpeting, which is more moisture resistant and generally much better in areas subject to lots of passing and other heavy use. This grade is recommended over the simpler version, as it will last much longer.

The other big family of outdoor carpets is based on imitating indoor styles, but adding waterproofing. The materials are mostly synthetic, but plant-based or woolen outdoor carpets also exist. Most have a water-repellent backing and are treated to be highly mold-resistant.

Plush outdoor carpets are available in different grades, and you should judge them according to similar criteria than indoor ones. How thick are they? How many knots per square centimeter? What size? How is the finishing? Plus, make sure to note their water-resistance.

Always check the backing of the carpet, as this is the main element that blocks moisture from seeping up the ground and that ensures that the outdoor carpet will have a long life.

Also, shop around to make sure that you compare manufacturers and retailers for the best price to quality ratio, and don’t stop informing yourself about the different kinds and qualities of outdoor carpet.

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