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Outdoor Carpets: Avoid These Pitfalls When Choosing

There was a time when the choice and difference in outdoor carpeting was really limited, and all that was available was synthetic grass style. But times change, and nowadays the choice in quality, color and style for outdoor carpets is truly staggering.

Not only do the materials and manufacturing techniques differ a lot from one carpet to the next, there are also options depending on the location of the carpet installation, whether it is meant for a patio, for a poolside, and so on.

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 typical outdoor carpet from previous decades, artificial grass style, is still very much in vogue and makes up one of the two big families of outdoor carpeting. While there are not a wide number of colors and other options to choose from, the basic version isn’t any different from the stuff used to pave sports stadiums in the seventies.

The simplest version of this kind of carpet that you will find is the Astroturf-like grassy material, well-known from stadiums and such. The basic artificial grass types are a little threadbare, and only good for areas that are not subject to heavy use.

On the other hand, thicker and better quality grass style outdoor carpet can be laid down almost anywhere, and is also much more resistant to heavy traffic. Generally speaking, it is a better and more long-lived option.

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.

You can judge this kind of outdoor carpeting according to similar criteria than for indoor carpets, e.g. look at the number4 of knots, the fibers, and so on. Plus, don’t forget to consider their waterproofness.

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.

Look at the offers of more than one seller and don’t skim on a bit of money going for the cheaper option as it will last much less and leave you with the need to replace that outdoor carpet.

For newbie DIY person and experienced builder alike, no site but OutdoorCarpetGuide.com gives you all the tips and info on outdoor carpets. Are you a seasoned installer, or are you just starting out? Make sure that you know all there is to know about selecting outdoor carpets and more by following the links above

May 03 2010 | Landscaping | No Comments »

Outdoor Carpets: Types, Features And Uses

Outdoor carpets are intended to be installed outside your house on areas such as a patio or around a swimming pool, and differ in many ways from normal carpets, most notably in sturdiness durability.

Weather-resistance is another major plus of outdoor carpeting. These types of floor coverings are usually very resistant to dampness and rain, for instance.

Mostly, these kinds of floor coverings are made of man-made, plastic-derived fibers that are both relatively cheap and easy to clean and maintain. But natural, plant-based alternatives also exist, and they are quite sturdy.

The main purpose of outdoor carpets is to cover up concrete flooring, which is both unsightly and uncomfortable to walk on. With an outdoor carpet you will both get the practical effect of a more comfortable and safer surface, and the aesthetic pleasure of nicer surroundings. Outdoor carpeting are often the first step to personalizing the outside area of your house to your tastes.

Besides giving that individual touch, outdoor carpets also have two very concrete reasons to be: First, they waterproof the surface to a large extent, making it more comfortable when the weather is damp.

Secondly, you will find that the added comfort of carpeting will make it more pleasant to sit or lie down, or to walk around barefoot, which will be a refreshing experience if you don’t do it already.

Talking about the effect that the carpeting will bring to the house’s decoration, consider that when looking at the material you should consider taking synthetics if you like bright colors, as plastic material fade less. If on the other hand you like natural colors, natural fibers such as sisal provide a great alternative.

When correctly laid out, outdoor carpets will be wholly waterproof and will allow you to walk on an almost dry, but very comfortable surface. Sometimes, adequate draining needs to be built into the installation.

As for installing, usually outdoor carpets can be glued directly to the underlying surface, but sometimes a special kind of interim padding is needed. Please note that some carpets are available in tiled form, which makes installation much easier than for rolled carpets.

Outdoor carpets are available in a wide range of patterns and colors, and you will surely find something that suits your eye. These are great materials to furnish the outside of your house, and they are also cheap and durable.

January 30 2009 | Landscaping | No Comments »