Outdoor rugs take a serious beating from the elements. So you’ll want to choose a material that can stand up to sun, wind, rain, and heavy foot traffic. That’s why polypropylene is one of the most popular materials for outdoor rugs. But is it right for your patio or deck?
In this post, as a professional custom rugs supplier, I’ll break down the pros and cons so you can decide if polypropylene outdoor rugs are a good fit.
What is Polypropylene?
Before we get into whether or not polypropylene makes a good outdoor rug, let’s cover what exactly polypropylene is.
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer resin made from the polymerization of propylene gas. In plain English, that means polypropylene is a type of plastic.
It’s used to make all sorts of products like food containers, bicycle helmets, automotive parts, and yes…outdoor rugs.
Is Polypropylene a Good Material for Outdoor Rugs?
Polypropylene is an ideal material for outdoor rugs due to its durability, affordability, and resistance to mold, mildew, and various weather conditions. It’s easy to clean, withstands sunlight without significant fading, and offers a range of designs and softness, making it a practical and stylish choice for outdoor spaces. With its ability to resist damage from the elements and maintain its appearance, polypropylene rugs are a popular and cost-effective solution for enhancing outdoor living areas.
The Pros of Polypropylene Outdoor Rugs
Now let’s get into reasons why polypropylene can make an excellent material for outdoor rugs.
Durable
Rugs left outdoors need to stand up to heavy foot traffic. Kids playing. People lounging around. Not to mention dirt and grime that get trampled in.
The great news is polypropylene is known for its durability.
In fact, it’s sometimes called “olefin”, which is a classification for plastic that’s extra tough. So yeah…it can take abuse and keep on ticking.
Some polypropylene rugs even come with 10+ year warranties, even when used outdoors.
Weather Resistant
Outdoor rugs need to be waterproof. After all, they’re bound to get rained and spilled on.
Thankfully, polypropylene naturally repels liquid. (Which is why it’s used to make water bottles and food containers). So liquids bead up on poly rugs instead of soaking in.
And since liquids don’t penetrate polypropylene, that means outdoor poly rugs resist mildew and mold growth.
Poly rugs are also resistant to UV rays. So you don’t have to worry about colors fading in the harsh sun.
Easy to Clean
Life happens. Spills happen. Blowout diapers happen 🙂
When accidents do occur, you’ll be glad your outdoor rug is made of polypropylene.
Most messes can be easily cleaned with some soap and water. And you can even use bleach if needed without harming the fibers.
You can also remove most debris with a good vacuuming.
And here’s a bonus: poly rugs hardly absorb liquid at all. So they dry out super fast even after heavy rains.
Affordable
Here’s more good news: polypropylene is one of the more budget-friendly outdoor rug materials.
Polypropylene outdoor rugs range from around $50 on the low end to $150 on the high-end for a standard 5’ x 8’ size.
So you can get weatherproof outdoor rug that also happens to be easy to clean…all without emptying your bank account.
Soft and Comfortable
When it comes to comfort underfoot, polypropylene is surprisingly comfy and soft. The fibers have some natural squish and cushion to them.
Of course, it’s not as plush and fluffy as a shag rug. But it feels nice enough on bare feet.
Especially compared to other outdoor rug materials like coir or seagrass which tend to be fairly stiff and wiry feeling.
Available in Tons of Colors/Patterns
When used indoors, polypropylene is sometimes called olefin or polyolefin. And indoor poly olefin rugs come in literally hundreds of colors and patterns.
For outdoor use, your design options are slightly more limited. But there are still plenty of attractive color and pattern choices. So you can likely find one to match your style.
From solids to stripes to Moroccan trellis patterns…there are lots of handsome designs available.
The Cons of Polypropylene Rugs
Polypropylene makes an excellent outdoor rug material. However, there are a few downsides to be aware of.
Not as Padded as Other Outdoor Rugs
I mentioned earlier that polypropylene has a fairly soft, comfortable feel to it.
However, poly rugs themselves tend to be fairly thin without a lot of padded thickness.
So while the material feels decent underfoot, it won’t provide quite as much padding as some other outdoor rug materials.
If superior comfort is important to you, it’s smart pair your poly rug with a thick rug pad underneath. The pad will provide extra cushioning.
Can Show Footprints
Along the same lines, polypropylene rugs will show footprints from heavy traffic.
If dozens of people walk over the same area during a party, you’ll likely see footprints pressed in.
The nice thing is those impressions do bounce back and disappear quickly once the weight is removed.
But it’s something to be aware of if high traffic is going to be the norm.
Can Be Slippery When Wet
This is another characteristic that comes from polypropylene’s liquid-resistant surface.
When liquids bead up and don’t soak in, that can create a bit of a slippery surface.
So poly outdoor rugs may be slightly more slick underfoot after heavy rain or large drink spill.
It’s usually not a deal breaker. But something to keep in mind if folks will be walking around barefoot a lot.
Can Show Tire Marks
The final “con” has to do with tire marks from grills and patio furniture.
Because polypropylene doesn’t have a deep, plush pile, chair and table legs can leave behind faint tire track marks or impressions.
These marks aren’t usually super noticeable or permanent. But keeping some plastic or felt pads under chair and table legs can help minimize any marks.
So there you have it – everything you need to know decide if polypropylene is a good choice for outdoor rugs at your home.
In Summary
To recap, the upside is exceptional durability, liquid resistance, easy care, and affordability.
Downsides come mostly from the nature of polypropylene itself. The lack of a plush pile means slightly less padding. And the liquid-repellent surface can be a tad slick when wet.
But for most outdoor spaces like a deck, patio or porch, polypropylene represents an outstanding combination of affordability, weather resistance, and durability.
So if your budget is limited but you still need a handsome, rugged outdoor rug…polypropylene is tough to beat.
I hope this overview helped explain whether poly makes a suitable outdoor rug material. If you have any other questions, ask them in the comments below!