For quite some time 100% polypropylene has been the material of choice for long lasting, weather resistant outdoor rugs. With advances in weaving techniques, this synthetic plastic material has been developed to be almost as soft as the finer cloth rugs used in the interior areas of your home. That softness has been matched with the inception of the Registered Trademark Duracord synthetic fiber.
Duracord is a synthetic yarn which, when woven, gives both the look and feel of natural cotton. The new Duracord is imbued with anti-microbial and ultraviolet properties so that it does not fade in sunlight nor develop mold in wet conditions. Duracord first saw use in outdoor furniture, especially the high quality rope hammocks that have provided so much relaxing outdoor time. The anti-fading, stain, and mold resistant improvements discovered in 2004 allowed Duracord to be extended to the rugs and carpets that can be used to accent and improve the aesthetics of your outdoor living spaces.
Duracord is dyed while still in solution so it cannot fade. It holds less than one half a percent of water so Duracord rugs dry extremely quickly. This nonabsorbent quality is also why Duracord rugs are extremely stain resistant. Duracord is also very resistant to bleach. While most dirt can be removed from a Duracord outdoor rug with just soapy water and a garden hose, tougher dirt can be safely bleached out without danger to color or fabric integrity.
For its cottony softness, Duracord fibers are very tough and wear resistant. It is both lightweight and strong. Duracord is also an environmentally friendly product as well. It requires much less energy and water to produce than other synthetic rug fibers. Duracord rugs are no more expensive than any more traditional synthetic fiber outdoor rug and can just as easily be obtained for less at discount or clearance sales.
As for patterns, Duracord is not a good medium for prints. However, all traditional weave patterns are possible as well as contemporary weave designs. Duracord can be worked in any way that cotton fiber can be. It can be hand hooked or stretched and woven on a loom. Despite the softness of cotton, Duracord outdoor rugs are very strong and will last for many years under even the most brutal of outdoor weather conditions. They fit well as an accent to just about any home decorating motif you may wish to create throughout your home and on into your outside recreational areas.