Let’s take a look at some of the more common materials used in outdoor rugs that makes them suitable to be outside in various weather conditions.

Bamboo. Bamboo is a fantastic material used in rugs, both indoor rugs and outdoorrugs, as well being used in a nearly endless list of other furniture items, as it makes for a great raw building material. Bamboo is cultivated, harvested, and cured a specific way that tightens the fibers inside at every step of the way to make a highly durable, strong rug. For more about bamboo, see Anji Bamboo Outdoor Rugs.

DuraCord Fabric. DuraCord Fabric is a trademarked fabric that makes up many types of outdoor furniture. DuraCord is a synthetic fiber that is as soft of softer than polyester. It doesn’t collect mildew and it allows for vibrant colors via a specific method of acrylic solution dying. A perk of DuraCord rugs is that they are easy to clean (see Cleaning Outdoor Rugs) and the colors do not fade from bleach cleaning solution. Additionally, they will not absorb water. Can you imagine how helpful that is when designing a rug to stay outside?

Plastic. Plastic is a versatile material and at first it might sound odd to think of a rug being based on plastic, but tiny plastic bits can be used to make a very strong rug that is able to withstand the outdoors. Many plastic outdoor rugs are the type that you’re able to roll up and easily store. Think of the chain type of rug where each piece spans the length of the rug and is connected via small ropes.

Another interesting aspect of using plastic for rugs is that this means you can make entire rugs out of recycled materials. Plastic is one of the most easily recycled materials on the planet, and rug companies have capitalized on this fact to offer products that can be considered both “green”, strong, and durable, as well as easy to clean with just water and some cleaning solution.

Rubber. The term “rubber outdoor rugs” doesn’t carry with it much elegance or suave decor does it? Nevertheless, rubber mats and outdoor rugs are one of the most common – and cheap! – out door rugs out there on the market. Rubber is especially popular for door mats as they clean easily and can stand the wear and tear of having lets of feet wiped on them.

Does this mean all outdoor rugs are made of plastic, rubber, bamboo, or DuraCord rope and fabrics? Absolutely not. These are just some strong materials that are in some rugs and because of their qualities – such as being water resistant – make them suitable as the basis of an outdoor rug. Out of all the types listed here, I’d have to say my favorites are the bamboo rugs and the DuraCord rugs – picking one of these types, you can’t go wrong!