Outdoor rugs come in many different varieties. Some of the common varieties are handmade, machine made and those made of bamboo or sisal. Each of these contributes differently to the overall appearance of your outdoor space depending on their particular features.

Handmade rugs: The designs of the handmade rugs are more intricate and pleasant to look at. They come in various color combinations and beautiful designs. Being high end designer rugs they are more expensive than the machine made rugs. They are much softer and last long as well. For this reason, many of the handmade rugs also serve well as indoor outdoor rugs and are an excellent option for those who prefer to make their patio or deck more personal and attractive.

Machine made: These are usually more durable than handmade outdoor rugs because they are more tightly woven, and usually made of tougher, more durable materials that would be difficult to work by hand. Most machine made outdoor rugs can withstand almost any amount of wear and tear. The most common materials used in the construction of these rugs are acrylic blends, olefin or nylon which can be suitable for areas with heavy traffic and all kinds of weather conditions.

Bamboo/sisal: Natural fiber outdoor rugs are often made of bamboo and sisal. Though not very durable they have their own special charm because they are made of natural fiber. You can find them in natural color tones which will be suitable for outdoor use. Both being strong materials, the rugs made of these will also be strong and durable. Sisal is less durable than bamboo however, and both materials are notably less durable than synthetic alternative. Still, both of these natural materials are attractive options for those who prefer to forego the use of synthetic materials.

Maintaining any of these outdoor rugs is very easy. All you need to do is wash or wipe the rugs. Use them again when they are completely dry. You can also make use of vacuum cleaners for regular maintenance. So you needn’t worry about getting them dirty, even if they are outside!

Outdoor rugs are specially designed and constructed to be highly resistant to damage; they would need to be strong and durable since they will deal with all kinds of weather and traffic. They’re usually made of nylon, olefin or acrylic blends because these are extremely resistant to the elements as well as other damaging factors like mildew or plain fading. Outdoor rugs are power loomed or machine woven and they’re dyed with special types of dyes in order to reduce the impact of sunlight on the colors.

Due to their very adaptable properties, outdoor rugs can be also used in various ways around one’s home but especially in areas that see a high degree of traffic. Due to their tough construction, outdoor rugs are very resistant to usual wear and tear so they can handle the high traffic, they can also be used on concrete in order to cushion the impact on feet. Outdoor rugs are relatively simple to take care of and they come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, textures and dimensions – for some really crazy styles you should definitely check out the Mad Mats Outdoor Rugs. And it’s precisely because of this versatility and diversity that outdoor rugs can be used pretty much anywhere and have an impact.

Outdoor rugs can be split into four categories by the way they are made: there are handmade rugs, machine made rugs, bamboo rugs and outdoor mats. Each can be used as outdoor rugs for patios.

Handmade rugs or hand hooked rugs as they are also called are much more intricate and colorful if you compare them to machine made outdoor rugs. These are usually designer outdoor rugs and they will cost more than the machine made ones, but they have a soft texture, are very long lasting and will be great in a highly personalized outdoor environment.

The outdoor rugs that are machine made are usually much more cost effective than the ones that are hand-made; machine made rugs are highly resistant and light weight, and are very weather resistant. Besides their pricing there other advantages are that they’re easy to maintain and are rather attractive as well as comfortable.

Bamboo outdoor rugs are a great choice to be used outside because of the natural feel they offer and their relaxing shades of green. These types of outdoor rugs are padded in order to prolong their durability, but they shouldn’t be kept outside for too long because weather conditions like rain or snow will affect these in a greater way than the other types.

The outdoor mats and outdoor area rugs are great for smaller areas, and they’re great because they come in a huge array of colors, they’re cheap and trouble free because they’re easy to maintain. Also of note is that these outdoor rugs are usually manufactured from post recycled plastic.  Prices are also great for these, as you can often find these rugs on clearance.

When you’re looking to outfit your home with some outdoor rugs, always keep in mind what size you need, what color or pattern you’re looking for and your budget. photo credit: wwhyte1968

These types of outdoor area rugs are made from materials like jute, sisal and bamboo; these materials make for great rugs because of their toughness and beauty. Outdoor area rugs made out of natural fibers benefit from the strength of the natural fibers that they contain, and this makes them the ideal choice if you happen to have pets or if you want to install them in a high traffic area. However natural fiber outdoor area rugs need to be installed in covered places and places that get little to no humidity or moisture because sisal especially absorbs a lot of moisture and this will affect the rug’s properties.

If you live in a place that has a temperate climate then maybe natural fiber outdoor area rugs aren’t the way to go and you should consider looking to bamboo rugs. Bamboo outdoor area rugs are the newest trend in eco-friendly materials with environmental friendly bamboo products popping up all over the place, and the choices vary from bamboo countertops to the increasingly popular all-bamboo flooring. So we shouldn’t wonder how come bamboo rugs exist.

The fact is that bamboo rugs are as durable as hardwood floors and natural fiber rugs put together, plus they look just great. One of their main advantages is their incredible resistance to stains; if something spills on a bamboo rug then all you need to do is wipe it clean. Also, bamboo rugs don’t usually see mold or mildew but in the extreme case that these to appear you can easily take care of them with a quick wipe of a cloth soaked in a mix of water and bleach.

Besides the natural beauty of natural fiber and bamboo outdoor area rugs, what makes this type of carpeting so appealing is mainly their very low maintenance cleaning requirements. For natural fiber rugs regular vacuuming will be usually enough, and for bamboo rugs a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Regardless of the type of outdoor area rug you do choose ultimately, the important thing is for you to know that having a unique area rug on your patio or in your sunroom will undoubtedly add a bonus of color and a touch of nature to your indoor or outdoor setting.

photo credit: verymotomoto