Indoor/outdoor carpet is designed for interior rooms or covered exterior spaces and is ideal in settings with fluctuating temperatures. Made with synthetic fibers, this carpet choice is able to withstand the elements by resisting damage from UV rays, moisture, mold, and mildew.
Indoor/outdoor carpet, on the other hand, is specifically treated to stand up to sun and rain. Usually made of olefin/polypropylene – which helps give it it's high durability and stain resistance – the carpet is dyed so it's resistant to the sun's UV rays.
The outdoor materials are made from a material that is tough and can withstand the various elements that Mother Nature throws at them. Indoor rugs are made from a softer material, and this is because they are mostly kept away from the harsh elements outside the house.
Designed for use outside the home, outdoor carpeting is manufactured to be a sturdy covering for such sites as decks, patios, and walkways. Generally marketed as indoor/outdoor carpet, this surface covering is often made from weather resistant materials that hold up well in rain, sun, and snow.
Outdoor rugs can be used indoors. They are durable, weather and UV resistant, easy to clean and come in a host of great designs and colors, making them ideal in high footfall indoor areas like kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, and living rooms. Synthetic fibers mean they are also less prone to mold.
Durability: Outdoor carpet is one of the toughest materials out there. It's built to handle the elements and high traffic. It's water-resistant, mold and mildew resistant, and UV stable.
Outdoor carpets tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain than indoor carpet, mostly due to the fact that outdoor carpets are usually made from synthetic materials which are much less expensive than the natural materials typically used for indoors carpet floors.
However, you cannot install indoor/outdoor carpeting directly on dirt because the adhesive won't harden on surfaces containing debris. The carpeting will also roll up and cause you to possibly trip on dirt floors.
It will stay put with a quality rug pad. Rug pads provide comfort. Most outdoor rugs are fairly thin so adding a pad helps to make them more comfortable to walk on. Look for a thick rug pad to give yourself an extra soft surface to walk on.
So, while rain, snow, dirt and sun wears on the rest of your deck, surface underneath the rug can have a cleaner colour. Also, note that an outdoor rug can be quite slippery in its texture. So, to keep it in place, a rug underlay with anti-slip can be necessary.
Almost all outdoor rugs are made of synthetic materials which are not as absorbent as natural materials. This means that outdoor rugs of synthetic material dry quickly and are fairly resistant to dirt and stains.
Fibers that hold onto and absorb moisture are far more likely to develop mold and mildew when exposed to outdoor elements. Wool, for example, is a beautiful and soft fiber for indoor rugs, but is too sensitive to moisture to be used outdoors.
Most indoor/outdoor carpets are mold and mildew resistant, but mold and mildew can still pop up. It typically depends on the type of carpet backing you have. If you are going to purchase indoor/outdoor carpet and install it in an area that is typically wet, you will need to buy marine carpet backing.
Many customers ask if they feel scratchy and unpleasant. While this may have been the consensus a few years ago, many indoor/outdoor rugs are made to feel very pleasant underfoot. Sometimes they may have to be “broken-in”, but will feel even softer over time.
Unlike indoor rugs, outdoor rugs are made from materials that can withstand the outdoor elements, which is why indoor rugs should not be brought outside. Because of these durable materials, they also hold up well in high-traffic areas. Outdoor rugs are typically fashioned from synthetic materials or plant fibers.
When it comes to outdoor rugs, you might be wondering if you can put them on grass. The answer to this question is yes, off-course you can. As long as you choose a rug that is designed to be used outdoors and is made of a breathable material, you should be able to put it on grass and not worry about your lawn.
Significant foot traffic on top of the rug can damage the grass, and the grass and dirt can ruin your outdoor rug. You would certainly not want to lay a beautiful rug on dirt either.
Will an outdoor rug damage a wood deck? Yes and no. Most outdoor rugs made of synthetic fibers or polypropylene are perfect for outdoor conditions and will keep your deck in good shape. However, using other outdoor carpet materials can gradually damage your deck and patio.
How much does it cost to install 1,200 square feet of carpet? Carpeting 1,200 square feet costs between $8,000 to $13,200. Large areas cost more to install due to higher material, delivery and labor costs.
Dry the wet carpet outside in direct sunlight. It will dry faster if you hang it off the ground, on a washing line, over a porch railing, or some outside furniture. Turn the rug over at some point to make sure both sides dry completely.
Is an indoor/outdoor rug safe for wood decks? Outdoor rugs are perfectly safe to roll out on a wood deck, and decks made of composite materials too. But for extra protection, we recommend sealing your wood deck with a stain-resistant and waterproofing deck sealer.