Outdoor Carpet and Rugs
Wind, Rain and Sunlight
As we know, these factors of weather can be extreme. There are very few things in this world that can hold up under extreme conditions. In the Southwest, our extreme condition is sunlight.
There was a time when choosing an “indoor/ outdoor” carpet meant it was going to be used in an Arizona room; at most, a covered patio. Back then, the rugs and carpets of choice were made of vegetable fibers, like cotton, sisal, coir or jute. They performed very well with a little bit of exposure to outdoor elements. Yes, sisal rugs did darken when they got wet – and rugs that got soaked would shrink, but this was when that rare “accident” happened, and we accepted that these things occur.
Today, we put rugs in full exposure to wind, rain and sun. We even use carpet in our garages. And we anticipate that they will hold up well under extreme conditions. For these uses, there has been a change in fibers that make up outdoor carpet and rugs. These new fiber choices have three main features: 1) they are synthetic, rather than natural fibers, 2) they are “solution-dyed”: the color pigmentation of these fibers has been put into them while they are still a liquid – so that the color is clear through the fiber rather than just on the outside, 3) a “UV” stabilizer or inhibitor has been added to help protect the fiber from fading or deteriorating under sunlight.
As we know, these factors of weather can be extreme. There are very few things in this world that can hold up under extreme conditions. In the Southwest, our extreme condition is sunlight.
There was a time when choosing an “indoor/ outdoor” carpet meant it was going to be used in an Arizona room; at most, a covered patio. Back then, the rugs and carpets of choice were made of vegetable fibers, like cotton, sisal, coir or jute. They performed very well with a little bit of exposure to outdoor elements. Yes, sisal rugs did darken when they got wet – and rugs that got soaked would shrink, but this was when that rare “accident” happened, and we accepted that these things occur.
Today, we put rugs in full exposure to wind, rain and sun. We even use carpet in our garages. And we anticipate that they will hold up well under extreme conditions. For these uses, there has been a change in fibers that make up outdoor carpet and rugs. These new fiber choices have three main features: 1) they are synthetic, rather than natural fibers, 2) they are “solution-dyed”: the color pigmentation of these fibers has been put into them while they are still a liquid – so that the color is clear through the fiber rather than just on the outside, 3) a “UV” stabilizer or inhibitor has been added to help protect the fiber from fading or deteriorating under sunlight.
Today’s Outdoor Fibers
These modern, synthetic fibers are known as Polypropylene (aka Olefin), Polyester and Acrylic. Polypropylene has always been solution-dyed because as a fiber it will absorb so little moisture that it cannot be colored with a dye (or stain). More recently, Polyester and Acrylic have been devised to accept dye in their liquid state – to be solution-dyed as well. One version of Polyester is made from re-cycled plastic bottles, called PET.
While these engineered fibers are superior to natural fibers in their resistance to absorbing water and fading in sunlight, they do have negative traits when used outdoors: Polypropylene, being derived from oil, has a high affinity to gathering oil – holding onto all oil that is tracked onto it from parking lot oil to human oil from our feet. When it holds onto oil, that oil can then hold onto dirt, making for dark spots or shaded areas. A good relief from this is to occasionally wash the carpet or rug with a good, sudsing detergent. This will break away the oil, just as a kitchen detergent breaks loose grease. It is important to thoroughly rinse with plain water afterward to remove the detergent – or you’ll have a new magnet for dirt.
Polyester and Acrylic are softer fibers. They have a tendency to crush or mat (under furniture and under foot) and not bounce back. This is not a real issue with flatter carpets and rugs but thicker ones will show crushing. They are also slightly more able to absorb and hold onto water than Polypropylene.
These modern, synthetic fibers are known as Polypropylene (aka Olefin), Polyester and Acrylic. Polypropylene has always been solution-dyed because as a fiber it will absorb so little moisture that it cannot be colored with a dye (or stain). More recently, Polyester and Acrylic have been devised to accept dye in their liquid state – to be solution-dyed as well. One version of Polyester is made from re-cycled plastic bottles, called PET.
While these engineered fibers are superior to natural fibers in their resistance to absorbing water and fading in sunlight, they do have negative traits when used outdoors: Polypropylene, being derived from oil, has a high affinity to gathering oil – holding onto all oil that is tracked onto it from parking lot oil to human oil from our feet. When it holds onto oil, that oil can then hold onto dirt, making for dark spots or shaded areas. A good relief from this is to occasionally wash the carpet or rug with a good, sudsing detergent. This will break away the oil, just as a kitchen detergent breaks loose grease. It is important to thoroughly rinse with plain water afterward to remove the detergent – or you’ll have a new magnet for dirt.
Polyester and Acrylic are softer fibers. They have a tendency to crush or mat (under furniture and under foot) and not bounce back. This is not a real issue with flatter carpets and rugs but thicker ones will show crushing. They are also slightly more able to absorb and hold onto water than Polypropylene.
Rain
How does water affect outdoor carpet, rugs and the fibers they are made from? Synthetic fibers are very resistant to moisture. Polypropylene absorbs very little moisture. The difference between the synthetic fibers is mostly how fast they will dry, Polypropylene being the fastest.
The important factor then is how well the carpet or rug itself will perform with rain. Most indoor carpets are made with a “secondary” backing, one added to the back of the carpet/ rug, held onto it with a latex adhesive. Normal indoor products would fall apart outside because the latex is not moisture-proof. The best outdoor carpets & rugs do not have a secondary backing but when they must have one – generally for stability so they won’t stretch – the latex that holds them on must be water-proof.
The other consideration is mildew. A rug or mat that is open & airy will let moisture evaporate. But a compact surface or a backed rug needs to be lifted up on occasion and allowed to dry on the back – along with allowing the subsurface (concrete, tile, etc.) to dry.
How does water affect outdoor carpet, rugs and the fibers they are made from? Synthetic fibers are very resistant to moisture. Polypropylene absorbs very little moisture. The difference between the synthetic fibers is mostly how fast they will dry, Polypropylene being the fastest.
The important factor then is how well the carpet or rug itself will perform with rain. Most indoor carpets are made with a “secondary” backing, one added to the back of the carpet/ rug, held onto it with a latex adhesive. Normal indoor products would fall apart outside because the latex is not moisture-proof. The best outdoor carpets & rugs do not have a secondary backing but when they must have one – generally for stability so they won’t stretch – the latex that holds them on must be water-proof.
The other consideration is mildew. A rug or mat that is open & airy will let moisture evaporate. But a compact surface or a backed rug needs to be lifted up on occasion and allowed to dry on the back – along with allowing the subsurface (concrete, tile, etc.) to dry.
Wind
This is the least of our problems, especially with glued-down carpet. But if there is a need to keep rugs in place, the heavier the rug the better. Sometimes a special backing can be added to make it heavier. But with most ready-made rugs this is not an option.
This is the least of our problems, especially with glued-down carpet. But if there is a need to keep rugs in place, the heavier the rug the better. Sometimes a special backing can be added to make it heavier. But with most ready-made rugs this is not an option.
Sunlight
Here’s the big one, the one that trips us up every time – at least here in Arizona. While synthetic fibers can be “UV” treated, every fiber will eventually change color from exposure to sunlight. The other thing that happens to a synthetic fiber (not a natural fiber) is that sunlight eventually breaks down the polymer chains in the fiber. This means the fiber will break apart – crumble – turn to dust.
The normal warranties you find, mostly with synthetic grass, refer to “fade” or “fail”. Fail is when the fiber turns to dust.
Everyday residential indoor/ outdoor carpets and rugs do not have any fade or fail warranties. They are made with the best choice of fibers for resistance to fading and failing, along with a consideration for their look, texture and coloration. The simple warranty with most outdoor products is a one-year statement that the product is well made, that there are no defects in the manufacturing process. A rug that has a flaw in it when you buy it is warranted against a defect and would be replaced but a rug that fades or fails even slightly past that one year would not be warranted.
Here’s the big one, the one that trips us up every time – at least here in Arizona. While synthetic fibers can be “UV” treated, every fiber will eventually change color from exposure to sunlight. The other thing that happens to a synthetic fiber (not a natural fiber) is that sunlight eventually breaks down the polymer chains in the fiber. This means the fiber will break apart – crumble – turn to dust.
The normal warranties you find, mostly with synthetic grass, refer to “fade” or “fail”. Fail is when the fiber turns to dust.
Everyday residential indoor/ outdoor carpets and rugs do not have any fade or fail warranties. They are made with the best choice of fibers for resistance to fading and failing, along with a consideration for their look, texture and coloration. The simple warranty with most outdoor products is a one-year statement that the product is well made, that there are no defects in the manufacturing process. A rug that has a flaw in it when you buy it is warranted against a defect and would be replaced but a rug that fades or fails even slightly past that one year would not be warranted.
What colors fade least?
The technical answer is Violet is the best color, then Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red – Red being the fastest to fade. White and Black have other issues. White, as we, know, can turn yellow rather than fade and Black gets cloudy as it fades. But there’s more to it that we cannot see. A red color made with better pigments can hold up longer than Blue made with poor pigments.
The technical answer is Violet is the best color, then Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red – Red being the fastest to fade. White and Black have other issues. White, as we, know, can turn yellow rather than fade and Black gets cloudy as it fades. But there’s more to it that we cannot see. A red color made with better pigments can hold up longer than Blue made with poor pigments.
What are the choices?
Whatever the choice is, it’s important not to over-promise how the rug or carpet will perform.
Natural fibers like Sisal, Jute and Coir are still great choices. However, stick to their natural color, undyed. The dyes used to color these fibers will fade quickly. Natural fiber in their natural colors will look the same for many, many years – and simply age with use and exposure. Most of these types are woven and will shrink when they dry after being soaked so put them in a situation where eventual shrinkage will not be critical.
Synthetic fibers; solution dyed Polypropylene (aka Olefin), Polyester, PET and Acrylic. As long as one of these fibers is used, select a rug or carpet for its looks and don’t make any promises about fading or failing. If there’s a very high concern about the rug always looking fresh then pick an inexpensive one and plan on replacing it frequently. This is what the resorts do at their cabanas. Keep it fresh by changing it out.
Whatever the choice is, it’s important not to over-promise how the rug or carpet will perform.
Natural fibers like Sisal, Jute and Coir are still great choices. However, stick to their natural color, undyed. The dyes used to color these fibers will fade quickly. Natural fiber in their natural colors will look the same for many, many years – and simply age with use and exposure. Most of these types are woven and will shrink when they dry after being soaked so put them in a situation where eventual shrinkage will not be critical.
Synthetic fibers; solution dyed Polypropylene (aka Olefin), Polyester, PET and Acrylic. As long as one of these fibers is used, select a rug or carpet for its looks and don’t make any promises about fading or failing. If there’s a very high concern about the rug always looking fresh then pick an inexpensive one and plan on replacing it frequently. This is what the resorts do at their cabanas. Keep it fresh by changing it out.