If you are shopping for an outdoor rug for your outdoor space, you likely have come across rugs called polypropylene rugs. If you are like us when we first came across this material, you are probably wondering what this material is.
Is it a good material? How will it hold up in your backyard? Should I buy a polypropylene outdoor rug?
If these are some of your questions, then read on below to find out if a polypropylene rug is right for your backyard based on our research and first-hand use of this common outdoor rug material.
Polypropylene Outdoor Rugs
Pros & Cons Summary
Pros
- Water Resistant, Quick Drying, and Mildew Resistant
- UV and Fade Resistant
- Stain Resistant
- Easy to Clean
- Soft
- Durable
- Affordable
- Eco-Friendly
- Widely available in many styles and colors
- Lightweight
Cons
- Sensitive to Extreme Heat
- Non-Resilient
What is polypropylene?
Polypropylene is a synthetic material made of propylene monomers. Besides outdoor rugs, polypropylene is used in a wide range of goods like packaging, plastic containers, toys, automobiles, and many other goods where plastic is used.
In many cases, you will find that polypropylene is called Olefin, which is a popular material for many outdoor uses like cushion fabric. Olefin is the name of the fabric typically made from synthetic polyolefin materials like propylene and ethylene, with propylene being the primary material used to make Olefin fibers. In many cases, you will find that polypropylene is one of the primary synthetic materials used to make Olefin fabric.
Why polypropylene is a great choice for outdoor rugs
When used to make a fabric, polypropylene is a great material for outdoor rugs because the material can make a soft, plush, and very weather-resilient rug. The softness and look of the polypropylene fiber mimics the look and feel of other natural fibers used to make rugs. Additionally, the synthetic fibers have great weather-resistant properties that should help the rug weather outdoor elements.
Where you can buy polypropylene rugs
Polypropylene is a popular material to make a wide range of outdoor rugs. As a result, you can find polypropylene outdoor rugs from many retailers and brands. So, if you have a favorite location or brand to buy outdoor furniture from, you might be able to find a polypropylene rug from them.
One obviously popular place to buy outdoor rugs, furniture, and more is Amazon. Below are two popular outdoor rug brands, Fab Habitat and nuLOOM, that use polypropylene that you can buy from Amazon. Learn more about Fab Habitat and nuLOOM in our comparison with two other great outdoor rug options, Ruggable and Mad Mats.Â
The final option we highlight below is a polypropylene outdoor rug from SunHaven. This is the outdoor rug that we have on our patio, and we absolutely love it. See more about SunHaven in our review of our new SunHaven furniture set. Â
We highly recommend checking these options out if you are on the search for a polypropylene rug.
12 Pros and Cons of Polypropylene Outdoor Rugs
Below are the pros and cons of polypropylene outdoor rugs based on our first-hand experience owning and using a polypropylene outdoor rug and our research on these types of rugs
The Pros
#1: Water Resistant, Quick Drying, and Mildew Resistant
One thing we were worried about in having an outdoor rug is if it could handle moisture without getting ruined. Luckily, this synthetic material is highly water-resistant, quick drying, and mildew-resistant – all characteristics that we have experienced from our first-hand use of a polypropylene outdoor rug.Â
We have experienced a lot of rain and humid days since we put our polypropylene outdoor rug on our patio, and we haven’t had any problems with the rug handling moisture.
#2: UV Resistant and Fade-Resistant
Another great feature about polypropylene rugs is that they are generally fade-resistant because the color of the rug is added through a solution-dying process. This process adds the color of fiber throughout the entirety of the fiber instead of being simply added on top of the fiber. This makes the rug very UV and fade-resistant.
#3: Stain Resistant
This synthetic fiber is hard to stain. Most spills, dirt, and debris can be easily wiped and cleaned off without leaving a stain.
#4: Easy to Clean
In most cases, all you will need to clean any dirt or debris on a polypropylene rug is warm water, mild soap, and a soft bristle brush. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to help you remove dirt in the fibers or any water that is standing on the rug.
#5: Soft Material
Many outdoor manufacturers use polypropylene because it can create a very soft rug, yet still be very weather resistant. We have been very surprised by how soft and comfortable our polypropylene rug has been. We have used a weather-resistant outdoor rug made with a different material, but it was far from as soft as this.
#6: It's Durable
Another great feature of polypropylene is that it is very durable and should last several years in your backyard.
As mentioned above, we had an outdoor rug made with a different synthetic material that quickly fell apart after a summer of use. We were very disappointed at how short it lasted. So far, our polypropylene rug has experienced some harsh weather and use, and it is holding up very well.
#7: It's Affordable
You might expect that all of this weather resistance and durability will come with a high cost. But that’s not the case. You can find many polypropylene rugs that can be very affordably priced, some less than $100. But the ultimate price will depend on several factors, mainly the size of the rug.
#8: Eco-Friendly Material
If you are looking for an environmentally friendly material for your outdoor rug, then polypropylene should be a top choice for you. Generally, there is very little waste produced during the production of polypropylene and Olefin. Additionally, polypropylene and Olefin can be recycled multiple times to reproduce additional products.
#9: Widely Available in Many Styles and Colors
As mentioned above, you will find polypropylene rugs available from many retailers and brands. With that, there is a lot of variety in the styles and colors that you can pick from to fit your style.
#10: It's Lightweight
Finally, polypropylene is a lightweight material. We recognize that outdoor polypropylene rugs can be manufactured in a variety of ways, but there should be little worry if they will be heavier than a normal rug. We had little difficulty in setting up and moving our polypropylene rug, which is a little thicker and heavier than most outdoor rugs.
The Cons
#1: Sensitive to Extreme Heat
One downside of polypropylene is that it is very sensitive to extreme heat and it can melt. While it is unlikely that backyard temperatures will reach the point where this material can melt, somewhere around 300 ℉, there is some concern if you live in an area with extremely high temperatures and this material is consistently exposed to these high temperatures or if your rug is near a fire pit.Â
#2: Non-Resilient
Although polypropylene is very durable, this fabric is non-resilient, meaning that it likely won’t bounce back to its original form if it is crushed. So, take caution if this rug is in a high-traffic area or placed under furniture.
Final Thoughts
Polypropylene outdoor rugs are a great choice if you want an outdoor rug for your backyard space! They are highly weather resistant, soft and comfortable, and they come in many colors and styles to fit your backyard style. We have loved our polypropylene outdoor rug, and we think one could be a great fit for what you need!
