Outdoor spaces for living, cooking and entertaining are in vogue like never before, attracting attention to outdoor furniture and decor for livable outdoor "rooms." Stylish rugs that beat the elements are popular embellishments to these spaces. Thanks to fiber technology advancements in durability, this new generation of rugs truly "lives" outdoors.Today's all-weather rugs not only rival their indoor counterparts in look and texture, but also create a nonskid surface and maintain floor temperature (i.e., a cool surface in summer or warm surface during winter). Like indoor rugs, they can be custom designed, hand woven or machine hooked and come in a variety of colors. Bland beige and boring brown have been replaced with colors like scarlet, rich chocolate, turquoise and more.
However, before you scout the perfect all-weather rug for your patio or deck, here are some tips for selecting a quality outdoor rug that's resilient, attractive and fits your lifestyle.
Fabrication and Durability
Think about how you'll use the rug. Will the rug be a permanent outdoor fixture or will you store the piece indoors during the winter season? Will it dwell under a covered porch, in a sun room or in an exposed area like a deck or patio?
While traditional rugs made from natural fibers like jute, bamboo and cork can be used outdoors, "they're not good for an outdoor rug that is exposed all of the time," says Chris Davis, president of the World Floor Covering Association.
If a rug will be a permanent outdoor fixture, the entire rug — including the backing and trim — should be 100 percent polypropylene to withstand harsh outdoor weather, resist mold and mildew and maintain its size and color. Polypropylene, a plastic, is usually manufactured under a brand name like Olefin or DuraCord.
DuraCord, first manufacturered in 2003, was developed for The HammockSource, a North Carolina-based company that specializes in outdoor furniture and accessories. Unlike traditional polypropylene, DuraCord has a "cotton-like texture and feel" says Laurie Rudd, HammockSource creative director. DuraCord also has an ultraviolet resistance, which means it can withstand up to 2,000 hours of sunlight. Plus, a moisture regain of .01, means the rug dries quickly. Moisture regain refers to the amount of water a rug will absorb: the lower the number the less water a rug retains. Most polypropylene products have a .05 moisture regain.
One of the best things about polypropylene rugs is they maintain their size and shape, even after a cleaning using mild detergent, a scrub brush and a water hose. DuraCord products can also be cleaned with a diluted bleach wash.
