All Weather Outdoor Rugs

July 9th, 2011

When you want a quick and inexpensive new look in your home consider a change of rugs! Doormats and accent rugs can be an easy way to spice up your home and are a fun way to welcome in the change of seasons.

There are thousands of different types of doormats and accent rugs available for your home. Some can be personalized with your name or your street number. Some have pictures of seasonal characters such as pumpkins and witch's and snowmen and Santa Claus. Others show wildlife such as cardinals and bluebirds and some show flowers like sunflowers or fall leaves.

Some indoor doormats and accent rugs look like expensive oriental rugs, but are safe indoors or out. Made with polypropylene or olefin these are all weather outdoor rugs that can withstand blistering sun, rain and snow. They won't fade or mildew. They wash easily with a squirt from the hose.

Some manufacturers are making decorative doormats and accent rugs with coco. Coco is great at trapping dirt at the front door. Coco is an extremely durable fiber which won't pill. Coco is quick drying and mildew resistant.

There are some very decorative doormats that are silk screened and printed with durable inks. These doormats will withstand heavy traffic and have UV protection.

If you have a very sunny entryway to your home you may want to consider a plain mat, unless you don't mind replacing that faded one a new one every few months. What you can do is consider one of the newer doormats made of rubber or one made of aluminum.

Doormats made of rubber are gaining in popularity. These doormats are non slip and resist mold and mildew and fading and clean very easily
with a hose. They come in many intricate designs and different shapes.

A very classy way to say "welcome" to your guests is to have an elegant aluminum doormat. These can also be personalized and are offered in protective powder coatings of black silver, copper, bronze and pewter finishes. These are very heavy mats that will not move under foot. Mats made of cast aluminum will withstand many, many years of outdoor use.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION:
Dutch Warmblood Dressage Horses...?
I have 2 duch warmblood dressage horses that because of my pregnancy have got to winter out. Iv currently got them in really thick max tog 340d outdoor rugs with neck attachments... Obviously when the weather turns really bittert i intend on putting at least another the same thinckness underneith.. Will they be warm enough? They are both really expensive animals and i dont want them getting cold... Not used to wintering out as im sure you have guessed. All answers greatly appreciated...
- ANSWER:
  what did you do last winter - assuming you owned them then? You cannot afford to leave quality animals out - try short loan or even a training centre with a written agreement. Good luck with the sprog.
QUESTION:
Quarter/Exercise Rug?
I was looking at quarter rugs as it gets quite chilly here in the winter in the outdoor arena (as I found out last year, haha.). But was wondering what everyone's take on them was. I understand they are used for horses with thin or shaven coats, in winter weather, etc. Do the ones that go over the riders leg interefere with posting or other movements? Or is it better to simply use the ones that work underneath the saddle? All of the riding will be done outdoors for the winter so I wanted to see if it was appropriate to purchase one. My horse/pony are not shaven and have decent coat length. Any info or opinion would be appreciated. Thanks.
- ANSWER:
  if your horse grows a decent coat, then the quarter sheet would be more of a burden than a help. the QS are made to keep the muscles of the hindquarters loose and warm so they wont get strained during warmups and cooldowns. if you used one on a horse with a good coat, then they would get sweaty and nasty, and it wouldnt be worth it. i have always ridden outside and never had a problem without a QS. just take alot of extra time warming up and cooling down your horse. take about 10 minutes before and after the workout and just walk. like i said, if the horse has a good coat, you dont really need one.
QUESTION:
How much does it cost to get a German shepherd bathed and groomed?
My dog is for the most part an outdoor dog. As with most outdoor dogs he's exposed to all kinds of funky odors that go largely unnoticed until you bring him indoors. During the warmer months I usually give him a bath once a month. But the weather is cold so I stopped giving him outdoor baths about two or three months ago. it's been really cold during the night lately, so I've let him sleep in my room on a rug and he really stinks. I would give him a bath in my tub, but he's too wild and my mother doesn't want him in our bathroom.
- ANSWER:
  I own a Husky Mix & in Texas his basic groom (bath, ear cleaning, nail trimming & brushing) was and in Hawaii was only more @ Petco! I was surprised because a local grooming place was going to charge me over !!