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Outdoor Carpet: Everything You Need to Know
By Kayla Haas
| Fact Checked By: Katy Engelhard
Published: December 29, 2017 | Updated: September 2, 2021
Outdoor carpet is the latest evolution of carpet technology. It’s weather-resistant, mildew and mold-resistant, and water-resistant. There’s now no reason to not have carpet or carpet tiles in your outdoor oasis.
Part of the reason outdoor carpet remains a mystery is because many people don’t know about it. It’s carpet’s best-kept secret, but you deserve to know the facts.
This guide will help you with that, showing you the different outdoor carpet options you can choose from, as well as the pros and cons.
Let’s go!
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What is Outdoor Carpet?
The best way to understand outdoor carpet is to compare it to the indoor version. While indoor carpet is pretty plush and comes with a lot of the same features as outdoor carpet, it’s not made to withstand the harsh conditions of the outdoors.
Outdoor carpet is often made from UV-stable fibers like polyethylene and polypropylene, meaning it’s not going to fade in direct sunlight. It’s also mold and mildew resistant, and even water-resistant. It’s built to withstand the elements.
Most carpet for outdoors is going to be low pile or Berber carpet. This is because Berber and other low pile carpets can handle wear and tear and dirt much better than, say, a frieze style carpet.
Indoor/outdoor carpet is pretty simple to explain. While most indoor carpets can’t be used outdoors, pretty much any outdoor carpet can be used indoors. If it’s made for the outside, it can certainly hold up on the inside as well.
Types of Outdoor Carpet
You can choose from three different kinds of outdoor carpet. Let’s look at the different types so you can get an idea of what works best for you.
Broadloom Carpet Rolls
Broadloom carpet is manufactured and sold in large carpet rolls that come in a standard size. It’s the traditional wall-to-wall carpet. This is great for sunrooms or can be cut to form an area rug.
While carpet tiles are a quickly growing flooring option, traditional broadloom is still popular. Broadloom rolls are typically priced cheaper per square foot than other floor types since they will cover a larger area.
This makes broadloom a great choice for budget-friendly projects as well as large jobs where a high amount of square footage needs to be covered. However, there is more material waste with carpet rolls, since you have to cut away a lot of the excess.
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Carpet Tiles and Carpet Planks
Carpet tiles are popular because they come in so many styles and colors. They’re also typically low-maintenance and easier to install compared to broadloom carpet rolls.
Plus, now there’s a new option with carpet planks. You get the same benefits, but in a fun new plank shape, so you have more design opportunities. For example, you can use carpet planks to create a herringbone pattern on your floor.
Installing is a breeze, either with peel and stick tiles, or tiles that you can easily tape down. No matter the installation method, you can do it yourself without having to hire a professional.
Another bonus to choosing carpet tiles and planks over rolls is that they are easy to replace. If one becomes damaged, you can easily pull it up and replace it.
Shop Outdoor Carpet Tiles Shop Outdoor Carpet Planks
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Indoor/Outdoor Rugs
Most indoor/outdoor rugs are made from Eco-fi, a 100% synthetic recycled fiber. Recycled consumer-grade plastic bottles make this fiber! This polyester fiber has natural water-resistant and stain-resistant properties that make it great for the outdoors.
Indoor Outdoor rugs are resistant to stains and soiling, they’re highly durable, and resistant to mold and mildew, just like outdoor carpet tiles and rolls.
If you’re wanting a carpet accent for your outdoor space, area rugs are the way to go.
Outdoor Carpet Fibers
Not all carpet fibers are the same. Some are better designed to perform outdoors. Here are your options!
Polyester
Polyester is slightly less expensive than nylon, and almost just as durable. It’s extremely fade- and stain-resistant. Polyester also usually has the widest range of color choices so your carpet can be anything from bright pink to a neutral brown.
Polypropylene
You can find polypropylene fiber in places like grocery stores or office lobbies. This kind of fiber is easily stained, especially by oil, but it does offer benefits in the form of fade- and mildew-resistance.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is the newest fiber to come on the market. This fiber is great because it is softer than Polypropylene and is cheaper than both. It is made from recycled plastics and even glass bottles.
Outdoor Carpet Pros
What makes indoor/outdoor carpet more desirable than your standard outdoor flooring options? There are a couple of features that make carpet a popular choice!
Here’s a handy list of the benefits of outdoor carpet:
- 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.
- Money saver: Everybody knows that carpet is one of the least expensive flooring options out there. You’re going to save extra money installing it yourself too.
- Home comfort, outdoors: Carpet is what makes your home comfortable. Now the outdoors can be just as comfortable for play and relaxation.
- Style: So many patterns, designs, and colors can be applied to carpet rolls, carpet tiles, and rugs. That means you can find a product in whatever style you prefer.
- Eco-friendly: Many carpets are now manufactured sustainably out of materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets.
Outdoor Carpet Cons
There are also a few limitations. But if you don’t mind them, outdoor carpet can still be right for you!
- Maintenance: While some carpets come with stain protection, there’s still the potential for an accidental spill to leave an unsightly spot on your floor.
- Not the plushest around: Since this carpet will be outdoors, it’s not going to have a soft luxurious feel to it. It makes sense though because nobody wants dirt hiding in taller carpet fibers.
Conclusion
Now you have the facts about outdoor carpet! If you’ve been wondering about the great aspects of carpet for outdoors or indoor/outdoor carpet, I hope you’re now convinced to give it a try.
Believe me, it’s a great way to make your outdoor space feel like home. Happy shopping!
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Kayla Haas is a Phoenix-based writer, flooring expert, and reading enthusiast. Most of her writing specializes in artificial grass, carpet, and vinyl flooring. Her favorite part of writing is the research. If you’re looking for obscure facts or little-known history about flooring, she’s the person to talk to as she stores them away in hopes of impressing people at parties.
