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
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May 03 2010 | Landscaping | No Comments »
Gardens may not appeal to us Americans, in the same way that they do to those from the United Kingdom or to people who live in other European cities. Nevertheless, we Americans do know how to tend to our gardens.
Afternoon tea socials don’t play a big part in our social calendars; we prefer to have our gatherings out on our front lawns for that weekly barbecue social and the odd other. This stated, there’s still the fact that we do know how to make our gardens, beautiful. Yes, we certainly know how to create beauty.
Now, for those of us who don’t own gardens which are as big as our houses and aren’t quite as big or large enough to boast about; they remain parts of our houses just the same. It won’t hurt us to add some garden decor here and there now, would it? It sure wouldn’t hurt and there are many enjoyable ways to do that.
For those gardens which begin in front the house and end where the lawn starts, why don’t you start with a special arrangement of thin stones with designs painted on their smooth surfaces? You can paint a whole bunch of things on these stones though this idea is freely given for you to use.
Take a flat stone, it could be white or black, and start painting the end parts of a bumblebee’s stripes. Continue with this pattern until you’ve finished with a set that will look like a bee when the stones are put together. When you’re done, put them in your garden in half circles like a necklace, from right to left.
You can have as many arrangements of bumblebee designed garden decor stones as you like. These painted stones should be used to improve a garden, not a lawn or yard! You’ll need either acrylic or spray paint for this project. You have to apply varnish on top of the stones, when you’re through. This way, they don’t get ruined by rain.
Your stone decor arrangement can be patterned from this design or you can choose one from the seemingly endless list of choices out there. You can choose a pattern of flowers, or marble colored swirls, curvy waves or even polka dots.
Here’s another suggestion. If you’d like your garden decor stones to be extraordinary stand outs, then turn them into conversational pieces. Go to a shop that does photo transfers. Ask their technical staff to transfer prints of your favorite paintings by famous artists, from their computers to your flat stones. Don’t like paintings? You can choose your favorites from your picture albums and have these transferred, or pictures of famous personalities; anything that you’d like just as long as it follows a theme of your choice. You can even go without a specific theme.
While ordering photo transfers for your garden decor stone aren’t that expensive, they’re not cheap, either. If you’re willing to part with the extra cash for decorations that are really eye-catching, then go ahead. Spend, spend, spend, and keep your neighbors talking about your trendy garden.
Ready to upgrade your garden decorations, remember that there are lots of choices when it comes tometal yard art.
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October 24 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »