Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Patio and Outdoor Gardens

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Is there a name for the outdoor porous mats?
   Is there a name for those outdoor mats with holes in them to let water slip through? Its either made of plastic or rubber. Does Lowes or Home depot sell them?

   • ANSWER:
     They are called anti-fatigue mats. We sell them at home depot in the floor and wall section near the rugs. I cant remember how much they cost but we mark them down all the time to put in front of registers so I know Home depot has them.

2. QUESTION:
   Where can I find LARGE outdoor mats?
   I am 25 and just got my own apartment. I don't have a patio or any grass in my backyard so i am looking for one of those large rubber mats i have seen around, like 4 feet by 5 feet. They seem really easy to clean and that they can stand up to high traffic. Ive tried google and anything else i can think of to no avail. Can someone please help?

   • ANSWER:
     Call some home improvement centers and see if they carry them and if they don't ask if they know where. Flooring company may be the other option. Roxanne

3. QUESTION:
   How many mats do I need to play Active Life: Outdoor Challenge?
   What is the max number of mats I would need to buy for this game if I want to use as many mats as possible? Is it 4 or 2 or more?
   On ebay they sell extra mats.

   • ANSWER:
     We have it and the mat comes with the game.....so far we have played with two people. I am pretty sure that is all u can play with one mat, but I am not positive. Have not played it that much.

4. QUESTION:
   What's the best outdoor kennel bedding/lining for dogs? Besides rubber mats, wood, or concrete.?
   I have a 75 sq ft. dog run and need a cheap flooring. Was just informed that red mulch is fatal to newborns and mother, but was wondering if brown mulch had the same effect of if I should just buy a whole lot of hamster bedding?

   • ANSWER:
     Pardon?

     For a kennel run, use pea gravel. 4" deep.

     Don't leave pups outside -- pups and mom should be inside and just go out to play when old enough. No mulch at all, ho hamster bedding!!

     Pea gravel develops feet, is safe, and can be sprayed down with bleach mix for sanitation

5. QUESTION:
   Best mats for outdoor dojo?
   I've been doing research on mats for an outdoor martial arts training area. Obviously it needs to be something that can withstand the elements but something that can also be used for throws and take downs. And of course something that can be used on a tight budget helps too. Does anyone know what kind of mat I should be looking for? Any help would be much appreciated.

   • ANSWER:
     These will work

     http://www.zebramats.com/tatami.html

6. QUESTION:
   Can you use the Wii Outdoor Challenge mat for DDR?
   Do I have to buy another mat for Dance Dance Revolution or can I use the Outdoor Challenge one?

   • ANSWER:
     You need to buy the new mat since they don't have the same design. Also compatibility. Hey what games do you have for wii? Which would you recommend? I dont want any violent games like guns or anything

7. QUESTION:
   How many people can play Active Life Outdoor Challenge?
   How many people can play Active Life Outdoor Challenge at a time? If I got 2 mats could I play with 4? If I got 3 could 6 people play? I will give a thumbs up to every good answer! Thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     4

8. QUESTION:
   How do I prevent my cat from getting fur mats?
   We brush her alot, but she still seems to get mats, is there anything else I can do to prevent them?
   (she is an outdoor cat)

   • ANSWER:
     Is this a longhaired cat? If so you should be COMBING her - not brushing her. Brushes do little to remove the loose hairs of the undercoat - the hairs that cause mats - and rip out and break the topcoat hairs.

     And if she's longhaired MOVE HER INDOORS! Why do you force her to live outdoors like a wild animal? Cats that were bred to have longhair were not intended to live outdoors. No wonder her coat is matting. It must be a filthy mess of dirt and plant matter.

     If she's shorthaired and still matting then it's probably due to something she's getting into outdoors. Again, move her INDOORS where she belongs. Well, that is, if you give a damn about her?

9. QUESTION:
   what is the best material for a rv outdoor mat?
   rubber antifatigue mats or strawlike material

   • ANSWER:
     The rubber mat will work fine or a coarse mat such as a coco fiber mat works real well, plus they can be washed out with a garden hose.

10. QUESTION:
    How do I make my backyard fun for kids?
    I have a small backyard. Its about 12 feet by 40 feet long, in the shape of a rectangle. I plan to fill it in with concrete to make a large patio since the backyard is too small for a grass and too awkward for a lawn mower.

    How can I set it up to be fun for children?

    Are there small playhouses or gyms with slides to put in my backyard? If I do this then should I get outdoor mats to protect the children from concrete?

    I don’t have a front yard as the driveway is a hill.

    Thanks for the ideas

    • ANSWER:
      Put a puppy in it?

11. QUESTION:
    What's a good foundation for an outdoor shed?
    I have a 3'x15' strip of soil that I want to place an outdoor shed on. Of course, I need a good foundation to place over the dirt before positioning the shed to prevent having a muddy mess when it rains, pest problems, etc. I was thinking thick rubber mats would be a good cover, but I'm willing to look at other materials like wood, brick, stone, etc. I need your expertise, thank you!

    by the way, I live in an apartment community so it's gotta be a simple idea

    • ANSWER:
      All of the options you listed will work. As will patio blocks, wood, plywood etc. I think rubber mats would work out fine.

12. QUESTION:
    I need help using my wii outdoor challenge?
    I got the wii outdoor challenge for christmas and for the life of me i can not plug in the mat! Can you please help me? I would really aprecitate it. i just can find out where you plug in that mat so can you pretty please help?

    • ANSWER:
      There is a compartment on top of the wii. Open the door to this compartment and you will find several (I think 4) places to plug things in. You must plug the mat into the first plug (closest to the front).

13. QUESTION:
    What is the best glue to use to glue rocks to rubber?
    I am making a door mat out of river rock. To do this, I am gluing 1" to 3" diameter rocks to the rubber back of an outdoor mat. I would like something very strong, easy to use, and waterproof. Thank you for your assistance.
    Thanks to the two of you who answered. These are excellent answers and I will be trying these products. I appreciate your help. Since I can't choose both as Best Answers, I declare a tie!

    • ANSWER:
      Any of the Goop Brand glues would be great for that. (Amazing Goop, Crafters' Goop, etc) They are very strong, slightly flexible when dry, waterproof, and hold almost anything to just about anything else. You can find them on the adhesives aisle of a hardware or home improvement store.

14. QUESTION:
    do all the mini games in active life outdoor challenge use the mat or do some just use the wii remote?

    • ANSWER:
      What I've found out thus far is that all the games either use just the mat OR a combination of the mat and the wii remote. Off the top of my head, the games that use both are the mine cart and the one dealing with climbing a mountain.

15. QUESTION:
    How do I keep my grass from dying from the heat of an outdoor fire pit?
    Is there some sort of heat proof mat or something that is sold to prevent this from happening? Please help. My patio is not big enough and too close to the house to keep it on that, so I'm looking for something I can just put down and pick up since I don't have fires that often. Thanks for your help!

    • ANSWER:
      go to big box hardware store, you know who they are. you can get a (mat) that is made to go under a wood burning stove. they come in a couple of different sizes and are nothing more than a painted tin wrapped particle board. you now can burn your fire in the grass or on your deck.

16. QUESTION:
    Door Mats with quotes?
    I am looking for a outdoor door mat. It has a quote on it....
    "Take A Deep Breath, Your Home Now"
    Can anyone tell me where I can buy one for under 80 dollars?

    • ANSWER:
      I'd maybe try ebay or bed bath and beyond

17. QUESTION:
    Active Life: Outdoor Challenge for Wii Mat?
    Hi and thanks for taking the time to read my question.

    I received the Outdoor Challenge Wii Game for Christmas. Does anyone know if there is a wireless adapter or a wireless mat for the Wii Active Life: Outdoor Challenge?

    Thanks in advance -

    Mike

    • ANSWER:
      Sorry- I searched for one - No such thing right now. They have them for DDR- just not outdoor challenge yet.

18. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know where we can get an outdoor mat that would discourage dogs from scratching at a door?
    I have checked some of the pet store websites and haven't found anything. The deterrent could be scent, or electricity, or just an unpleasant feel. We have some outside dogs that get a little insistent when they want to come inside. We don't want to hurt them--just keep them from damaging the door.

    I would appreciate any websites or other sources that I might be able to check out.
    , I didn't give you a violation notice. I gave you a best answer.

    About the ASPCA, we live in Pleasanton, Texas. I'm not going to give a street address for obvious reasons. We don't want to hurt our animals, just keep them from damaging our brand new and very expensive back door. I doubt if the ASPCA would find our actions objectionable--they might even have some good ideas.
    , I have also noted that my question and your best answer have been removed. Apparently someone didn't like any of it. I will, of course, appeal the removal of the question. I can't guarantee any results by Yahoo, but the removal was not the result of any direct action I took, and I think it is a good and legitimate question.

    I chose your answer as best answer because it seemed to illustrate my point. You were abusive, abrasive and resorted to name-calling. This was the behavior I find objectionable.

    Perhaps my answer to you may have provoked the removal of my question. I will let Yahoo decide.

    • ANSWER:
      Some cheap solutions:

      You can get chicken wire, and put at least a 4x4 square of it in front of the door - The dog will likely not want to walk on it.

      Or, you can use tin foil.

      You can also get an ex-pen and put it around the door to block access.

      Or, get a "scat mat":
      http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=dog+scat+mat&aq=0&aqi=g1g-s3&aql=&oq=dog+scat&gs_rfai=C6-eZb5klTIeuNILeNfLYnZAKAAAAqgQFT9DYgU4&fp=ed980fde9212f878

19. QUESTION:
    good outdoor yoga mat?
    I've been doing yoga in the park now and my little 15 dollar mat from target doesn't really cut it anymore. its always sliding around on the grass, one time resulting in a rather painful face plant right into the dirt.

    can anyone suggest a good mat that won't slip on grass, and is extra resistant to wear and tear as it will be used outside?

    Also, maybe one thats eco-friendly, not made out of PVC?

    I mean, if i'm doing the yoga thing, might as well go all out!

    • ANSWER:
      Congrats on doing yoga! It's so good for you!

      You can just google green yoga mats to find one you might like.

      This is one I found http://www.gogreenyogamats.com

      However outside, doing yoga right on the grass should be fine as long as it's not wet.

      And to people who don't know yoga, it is a strenuous activity. It's a better work out then running on the treadmill for an hour.

      If you're ignorant about yoga don't respond? (meant for the people who answer questions they don't know anything about)

20. QUESTION:
    My outdoor cat is losing hair to the EXTREME can anyone tell me what's wrong?
    This is not normal shedding. It's as if her hair is peeling off. She has very long hair and it's often matted and now the hair on her sides is just peeling back. Please answer if you know what might cause this.

    • ANSWER:

21. QUESTION:
    Cheap Outdoor Decorating Ideas?
    I am on a very tight budget. I want to decorate the walkway between my garage and house. So far, I've spruced it up by getting a beautiful bench at a garage sale that I cleaned up and put by the door, a very high-end looking welcome mat that I found on clearance, and it's a little more inviting now.

    I need ideas for the actual "walkway" though. I want to repeat a certain object for a "pathway" effect. Any pocket-friendly ideas?

    Thank you in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      YOu can make your own stepping stones using concrete - a few aluminum throw away pans, some small painted rocks from the yard, marbles, broken peices of dishes, glasses, bottle caps or what ever you like.

      Pour the concrete into the pans
      Let it set until firm
      push the decorative peices down into the concrete
      let dry 24 hours
      pop it out and viola !! fancy new walk way

22. QUESTION:
    why can't you wear socks on the mat for wii outdoor challenge?

    • ANSWER:
      because it sometimes confuses the pad and doesn't distribute the weight correctly and they have had scenes where socks have made people slip on it so to avoid a lawsuit they tell u not to but u still can if u want to but now u cant yell at them for not telling u not to.

23. QUESTION:
    Can I wash my outdoor cushions in a industrial size washing machine? ?
    I have tried pressure washing them and bleaching them but it didn't really clean them. We have a laundry mat down the road and they have huge washing machines can I put them in there so they really get washed?

    • ANSWER:
      YES, I did the same thing and I really tried. I washed with pressure sprayer, hand washed with bleach and soap amd they would not come clean. I went to the laundry-mat , down the street and put them in the large washer, with a load of beach towels, car cleaning sheets and white rags. I then put in half a container, about 6 oz of Omiclean, A half container of bleach , two scoops of laundry soap- for whites and three cups of regular vinegar. It sounds crazy but the outdoor cushions came out looking new. They were dark, spotted with black streaks and soiled from using everyday and I washed them with my combine liquids and powder and then came out super clean. The vinegar helps break down the dark grim, sun spots, summer mold and the oxiclean was like another super bleach. I use that same combination when I do a regular load of whites in my basement washer. It works great.
      After they were clean I took them outside and like the morning sun dry them. I was so happy and now we are back using them every day.
      It is so nice to have good, clean cushions for the deck recliners when you are having a Little get together, picnic for a football game.
      Try this it really works.

24. QUESTION:
    Safe outdoor play surface?
    I have just bought a wooden playset - swings slides etc. What is the best surface to put it on? My neighbour has theirs on wood chips but they are having problems with animals using it as a bathroom. I'm not keen on sand as its messy and not very bouncy. Rubber mats look great but they cost more than hardwood...any ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      They make rubber mulch now. It is a little pricey but lasts 10 years.I have seen it used under the same thing and works great. Check at lowes or home depo.

25. QUESTION:
    outdoor kennel mat question.?
    1st time dog owner. 5 month old golden retriever. i work from home and am able to tend to the dog when needed. he spends some playtime outside on a 15 ft tie out which only pretty much allows him to be on the patio. no kennel, no fence. i just let him out the door, he enjoys hanging out on the patio and does his business just off the patio.

    I'm wondering what I could put down that might make laying around a little more comfortable physically for him....or do you think it's not even necessary. I'm just thinking like a rubber mat or something would feel better than always being on concrete. Of course it will be covered with snow very soon. In Minnesota.

    And where can I get the best bang for my buck also? Trying to not spend much these days!! Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      If you are reasonably handy, you can make a bed that would work great out of PVC pipe and canvas. Use the PVC pipe to fashion a frame of comfortable size for your dog, and using T junctions to give it legs. Sew a heavy piece of canvas about 1 inch shorter than the inside of the frame all around, sewing a tab with a buttonhole in the end into the bed every 8-10 inches. Make this tab just big enough to wrap around the PVC pipe and add a button to secure it. Button the hammock portion of the bed to the frame of the bed, and viola`, you have a cheap, comfortable, easily washed bed for your dog!

      Just for the record, my old chow mix used to love being tied out on the patio or front porch so he could watch the world go by. WHY didn't I put him in my FENCED yard? Because he'd climb out and come to the porch anyway.

      ADDED: Actually, this home made bed looks much like the Cooleroo bed Shanna and daa posted here, but the canvas is removeable and washable.

26. QUESTION:
    safety flooring for a foam party?
    We are planning a foam party, but concerned about the safety of the party-goers, mainly them slipping on a wet floor. Does anyone know where you can buy/rent large rolls of rubber matting or outdoor carpeting. Any other ideas to make this a fun but safe event?

    • ANSWER:
      You could probably try walmart target or home depot or lowes

27. QUESTION:
    What do you recommend to get a Daycare started?
    How many employees should I have? I need books, sleeping mats, food, toy's, outdoor gym, cribs, playpins, highchairs, eating table etc. Give me some other ideas.

    • ANSWER:
      Day Care Center or Day Care Group Home or Day Care Family home? A big difference. As an individual who has worked in child care for over 10 years I've done the center route and am doing the family child care route presently. My husband and I also have looked into opening a center. Check with your State rules and Regulations.

      In Michigan the child-teacher ratio for child care is 1:4 for infants and toddlers, 1:10 for preschool and I believe 1:12 for school-agers. That should help with your question about employers.

      Beyond equipment...think philosophy...what is your philosophy regarding early childhood education. Create a handbook of policies and stick with it!

      Some food for thought: The quality of a preschool and the quality of a childcare/preschool should be NO different. Consider incorporating a high-quality preschool program.

      Consider education...how much do you have? Does it meet state guidelines? How much does your employees have?

      Advertisement... using the classifieds in the newspaper will get you EVERYONE and especially problem families. Word of mouth is best... consider having an "open house".

      You will definately need a schedule for each classroom... it will be fine tuned as you go along...but there should be a variation of activities provided and areas for quiet play and large motor play. Consider centers in older toddler on up.

      Oh the list goes on. Hope this helps!

28. QUESTION:
    Ideas for outdoor toys/activities for 1 year old?
    My son will be 1 tomorrow (cant believe it) and I am trying to go ahead and think of some outdoor toys & activities for him for spring.He got a pool for his birthday & a sprinkler mat,but I just cant seem to think of anything right now..Any ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      Our daughter turned 1 last month, and she absolutely LOVES her slide. Hers also has a basketball hoop on the side of it, which she likes to play with also.

      For Christmas, she got two different cars - one you push with your feet (she hasn't quite mastered that one yet), and the other has a long handle for us to push. The one with the handle is great - it has a cupholder for her drinks (that might be her favorite part), a working horn, and a hood that opens for storage (or to put random objects in, like our daughter does). We like to take ours to the park and on walks around the neighborhood instead of a stroller - she is MUCH more happy in it.

      Another thing she likes to do is take push-toys outside and walk them around. We live on a cul-de-sac, so there is plenty of space for her to push a stroller around. They make pretend lawn mowers (I think some of them blow bubbles?) which might also be fun for your son.

      EDIT: We also found a bunch of plastic balls that go in a ball pit at a discount store (they were sort of weird colors, which is probably why they were there!) - we filled her blow-up swimming pool with them, and she LOVES it. That can be indoor or outdoor, but it makes for good use of the pool when the weather isn't quite warm enough for swimming.

      Happy birthday to him!

29. QUESTION:
    how many different games work with ddr mat for wii?
    i'm thinking of buying the dance dance revolution game and mat for my wii. are there other games that you can play on the ddr mat or just those games? what about the active life outdoor game. is that mat the same as ddr, or would i need the seperate mat for that game?

    • ANSWER:
      Actually the ddr mat has control coding similar to the gamecube controller. I am not sure if it will work with the life outdoor game but it will work with any game that can be played with a gamecube controller.

      However, most functions of a gamecube (or wii) game cannot be used as there are very limited controls.

      The directional arrows act as the buttons on a control pad (not control stick!) would, as do the a and b buttons. The plus and minus buttons do not seem to correspond to any control on the gamecube controller.

      Wiiware games that require simple controls will be playable using the ddr mat as a controller. It is usually very difficult to play games like this though @_@.

      Naturally, you can also use the gamecube controller to play ddr, using both the control pad and control stick.

      That would be cheating though.

30. QUESTION:
    Looking for Outdoor Step Covering?
    Looking for something to cover outdoor stone steps that will
    prevent accidents when the snow & ice season arrives.
    Would like to find mats that would cover each step individually.
    Thanks in Advance !

    • ANSWER:
      you can but a non slip coating for that application
      either go on line to a major paint supply house,or go to one where you live,it comes in spray cans and will cover about 20 sq. ft. per can.
      or you can do it your self. take some clear polyurethane and mix sand in it you get at the home improvement cntr.make sure the steps are cleaned off ,and dry,then just brush it on and let it dry about 1hr. between coats. one of my properties has a tile sidewalk in front of the office,and people were getting hurt,so i bought 4 cases of the non slip spray ,and this stopped it.

31. QUESTION:
    How much money store credits for gamestop could i get for these games?
    I want to get rockband.
    wii music
    star wars the clone wars lightsaber duels
    outdoor challenge w/ mat
    spyro the eternal night
    madden 07
    big brain academy wii degree
    and super monkey ball banana blitz?

    Thanks
    By the way i have no time for ebay.

    • ANSWER:
      gamestop is a complete ripoff, you will get next to nothing. I called today to see how much Gears of War 2 would be worth and they told me . I'm not surprised because GoW2 sucks, moral of this story is Fawk Gamestop, go with ebay

32. QUESTION:
    What is needed to open a daycare?
    My best friend and I will be opening up a daycare soon..but Im a bit lost on what we need to get to be perpared..what should our scedules be like? I know what we need as far as requirements from the state..but what else ...I know toys, books, movies, chairs, tables, outdoor playground, sandbox,sleep mats..but what else?

    • ANSWER:
      Its your business, create your hours how you please.
      You can do a graveyard shift from 9pm-7am. Then if any of the parents are late you charge them additional fees. I personally charge 3$ an hour and every 5 min they are late i charge another 3$. Also i would advice you to not give any of the children bathes. It is a good way for parents to sue you. Also make a contract that you and the child's parents have to sign. Also make sure that you have a sign in and out sheet that the parents sign they will try to say well i wasn't there until 11pm when they really got there at 9pm. Also i would advice you to put in your contract that if you need to take them to court for any reason (mainly to get your money) that they need to pay for your legal expenses.
      Not sure if you already know all of this but if you want a copy of my contract and other paper work that i have parents fill out just write me.

      As far as what you need. Maybe baby proofing, depending on the age limit you will be watching. Baby gates, they help tremendously. Also depending on the times that you decide to watch children you might need to plan out snacks and meals. Plan games, and movie time. Things like that help them stay occupied. Another thing to hand out to parents is your company card, that way they have your information, and you look more official.

33. QUESTION:
    I want to put a firepit on a wood deck - The manual says no. Just a precaution?
    We have one of those metal fire pits that are off the ground, and fully enclosed by a screen. The instructions way "Do NOT use on a wood deck or any combustible surface." Problem is, a wood deck is the only place we have to put this. Is this just a precaution they are required to put in the instructions? Do any of you have an outdoor fireplace on a wood deck? If I got one of those fireproof "grill mats", would that suffice?

    • ANSWER:
      They do put the warning on there to protect themselves against a lawsuit but if you place it away from any railings and insure it is covered when in use then I have had no problem with mine. I did however use a grid of stepping stones underneath to insure that any hot legs did not do damage to the deck.

34. QUESTION:
    Stall mats? Info, use, opinions?
    Looking to board my future horse in an outdoor stall. They're much roomier and cheaper. But the ground is hard dirt, and when it rains they become these water ditches.

    People have been telling me how wonderful and amazing rubber mats are. While at the show last week they had an exhibit, but silly me did not go and talk to the guy working the booth about them!

    So how exactly are they so wonderful? How do they help your horse? Can you use them in outdoor stalls?

    Thank you!

    • ANSWER:
      I've been a barn manager for over 10 years, and stall mats are my pet peeve. Stall mats are better than no mats, but not by much! I hate them. They are a lot of trouble and never work as well as they are supposed to. The mats I'm talking about are your standard 4X6' black rubber mats. They ALWAYS shift around. The edges don't stay flat. They curl up and dirt gets underneath them, wedging the edge up where you and the horse trip over it. Urine runs underneath the seams, and when you do pull up the mat to try to get the mat to lie flat again, the smell is awful! Your pitchfork will keep catching on the edges of the mats that are sticking up. I've even seen a horse catch the heel of her shoe on the edge of a mat that was sticking up. She freaked, and ended up pinning her owner against the stall wall causing injury.

      Out of all the MANY MANY barns I've seen with mats, only ONE of them correctly installed the mats. They must be installed over a perfectly leveled and packed floor. This particular barn had concrete floors, which were perfectly level. The mats must fit perfectly- tight up against each other with absolutely NO gaps. If you can fit a piece of paper between the seam between two mats, dirt will get underneath and pretty soon they're moving and shifting. This is not easy to achieve.

      If I had it to do all over again, I would only buy mats that are either all 1 piece (would be super heavy and difficult to install but once installed you'd never have a problem) or are interlocking. The interlocking mats go together like puzzle pieces to make 1 big mat. It's worth buying high quality interlocking mats because I've seen in the cheap ones that the little interlocking tabs break off and fray. Both of these options are much more expensive though. I've often wondered if you could buy the cheap regular mats and somehow glue the seams together. Maybe even duct tape (over correctly installed mats of course) to keep dirt/urine from getting under the seams? Or even better some adhesive/glue and nylon strips to completely seal them.

      Benefits of mats: They do provide cushioning for your horse's legs. They keep him up out of the mud. When the mats do lay flat, they are easy to clean. They would work fine in outdoor stalls, but without walls to keep the mats from shifting and provide a boundary, I'd think it'd be even more important to get 1-piece or interlocking.

35. QUESTION:
    "Flooring" for an outdoor apt balcony - like a huge doormat?
    We have an outdoor apartment balcony, 2nd floor - roughly 5 feet by 30 feet. Currently the "floor" of it is painted on some textured cement. It gets all dusty and keeps getting dusty no matter how much I mop it down.

    Is there some material I can put on top of this "floor" that's weatherproof and heavy enough that it won't blow away? I thought it would be silly to buy a bunch of doormats and puzzle them together . . . but I like the idea of a huge doormat along the entire "floor", if there were such a thing.

    I have a kid who likes to go down on the floor a lot. If she's on the balcony, her clothes are ruined from stupid painted dirty cement. I figure with some mat system, she (and we) could keep clean and I can clean the mats easily if need be.

    Any suggestions on what to do? I just can't permanently attach anything . . . it's an apartment . . but we do intend to be here for a while. Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      There are a few different types of interlocking flooring systems you could use in this situation.

      Sears sells a mat system for example, that is advertised to go inside a garage... it would work equally well in your case.

      Other sources would be industrial supply companies, and some office supply companies. You can get floor mats of various types... carpeted, padded, slip proof, etc, in different sizes, weather proof, and some are interlocking.

      I'd suggest you start with search for 'interlocking floor mats'. Sometimes these mats can be called other things, like anti-fatigue mats, anti-slip, yoga, tatami, etc...

      Have Fun

36. QUESTION:
    What can I apply to the bottom of my car mat to keep it from skidding?
    My driver's side car mat skids on the carpet. The old backing looked like some sort of foam material. I sprayed it with some outdoor stair step anti-skid and that didn't help at all. Double sided tape came undone even after applying pressure for a few hours. I would like to keep the floor carpet in decent condition, so that limits some things.

    • ANSWER:
      Hi. I had the same problem , and bought (contact brand) ultra grip shelf liners .just put it between the rug and mat it will work wonders

37. QUESTION:
    What are dangers of the residue from sanding hard fiberglass decks?
    Some outdoor decks here are made of fiberglass resin and matting with a gelcoat on top. When these crack, they are rough sanded and the residue flies everywhere. My neighbor is doing this repair and there is white "sawdust" type particles from it all over, including on my fruits, berries, herbs and my koi pond. And it can potentially be inhaled. This is different from fiberglass "wool", but what are the dangers here?

    • ANSWER:
      if u stand next to him with a hose and suck the dust into your lungs I'm sure there would be harmful effects if hes spending a few days repairing his deck im quite sure the unborn children in the neighborhood will not be born deformed so when hes all done hose down your fruit trees sleep well knowing you ll wake up in the morning

38. QUESTION:
    The farm store sells pet warmer mats for dogs and I need to decide whether to buy one?
    It cost dollars. I can plug it in out in the shed and let my lab stay in the shed at nite, but not sure whether its a good idea.
    My dog gets into mischeif in the house. He tears things up, poops on the floor, eats my other dogs dog food and chews on her bed. He tried to gobble up a clothes basket last nite and started barking for me to get up this morning at 5 am to let him out. I wonder if you have ever heard of a warming mat for a lab and how it works. My dog is a rural outdoor dog who cannot stay in the house. Its going to be a disaster. He does have a shed full of straw for him to hang out in. Should I buy the warming mat or will he chew it up and burn down the shed?
    We live rural and this dog is an outdoor dog. He is not an indoor dog unless the weather gets bad. He runs the hood and watches out for the meth addicts, keeps the deer out of the back yard, chases rabbits, squirrels, geese and makes sure the neighbor knows he is out there. He has 10 bails of straw all his own in the shed and loves to dig holes and eat junk food. I let him in the house at nite when the weather gets to freezing, otherwise he is an outdoor farm dog. I just thought I would try something extra nice for him. His water container has a warmer so it doesnt freeze and he hangs out in the shed when I am not home. He can walk into the garage if he wants.
    The idea of crate training is for city doggies. Not this one. Thats just crazy.

    • ANSWER:
      I agree with the others that you're not going to really solve the problem with a warming mat. You need to train your dog better and behavior classes might be needed. Also, they do have heated dog houses, which would probably be more expensive, but a better idea than a warming mat.

39. QUESTION:
    Need advice for yard improvement project, DIY?
    I have a 3'x15' strip of soil that I want to place an outdoor shed on. Of course, I need a good foundation to place over the dirt before positioning the shed to prevent having a muddy mess when it rains, pest problems, etc. I was thinking thick rubber mats would be a good cover, but I'm willing to look at other materials like wood, brick, stone, etc. I need your expertise, thank you!
    by the way, this is not my home, it is an apartment community so no major construction, just something simple and easy.

    • ANSWER:
      Plywood sheets? Easily removed and even two layers will give a solid foundation (depending on what will be kept in the shed)

40. QUESTION:
    What type of activities can i do with my 6mth old son?
    I'm currently a stay at home Mom and he seems to be getting quite bored of his exersaucer and play mat. He has lots of floor toys but he loses interest in them pretty fast. The only thing that he seems to really enjoy is his Johnny Jump up, i think because he can jump continuously without help. Now that the weather is getting warmer I'm open to different outdoor activities too! Thanks for your input!

    • ANSWER:

41. QUESTION:
    how can i get my cat to stop peeing on the furniture?
    she was recently peeing on a mat next to her litter box once we took the mat out she started to pee on the furniture she has been doing this for over a year. what do i do? I am considering letting her outside to be an outdoor cat.

    • ANSWER:
      Put a collar on the cat, and put it outside...

42. QUESTION:
    Have you tried the Wii game "Active Life - Outdoor Challenge?
    Was it fun? Was it too hard? Did you tire of it quickly? Did the mat hold up to repeated play?

    • ANSWER:
      I enjoy it. Here's my review.
      http://www1.epinions.com/content_446330736260

43. QUESTION:
    Why is my dog scared of me? I have had her since she was 3 weeks old, she is almost a year and she is scared?
    All the time. She wont sit near me unless I call her, even then she tries to get away. She sits next to other people. She is always so "down" she used to be hyper as heck now she isn't. When we're outside she is hyper but when we come in she runs and hides her face behind the legs of the table or chairs, like I can see her body but she hides her face thinking maybe I cant see her. Then when she is outside and we look out the blinds at her she doesn't get excited, she cowers her head and gets a scared look on her face. She is always so scared and skiddish. I'm worried. But I am not about to take her to the vet to get her checked out, she's a dog! So if something were wrong I should be able to fix it. She looks depressed but I don't know why she would be. We feed her, try to play with her, pet her, brush her, walk her, take her on drives (thats one way she gets hyper) but once we come in she runs away from me and hides. ??? Its actually funny to watch her do this b/c I do not know why she is hiding. Even when we go to my families house and she's outside when I come out there she hides behind the swing set or plants. She used to dig and chew and ruin everything, even now she still does. I mean everything, outdoor mats already 3 of them. Couch cushions, outdoor seat cushions, 8 dell chargers, 4 phone chargers and a pair of my glasses. so we would get on to her but she is scared. Even when she does something good/bad whatever! How can something so shy and scared get into so much and ruin it even after she is almost a full year old!!!
    Ok, so I should not yell at her or hit her nose when she does something wrong? We don't have a messy house at all. She does this while we are gone maybe an hour... Like we'll go get food and come home, she has gone threw the bathroom trash can or chewed the baseboards or shoes... So its not that we don't keep her active. Also I do hit her when she has done these things. And I yell "NO, BAD DOG" over and over at her but not to be mean I just don't know what else to do to get her to listen!
    Thank you all so much, just a quick follow up: I have learned A LOT from this. No I do not beat my dog or abuse her in any way! The only way I "abuse" her is not giving her the proper care she needs. So I will go to a professional for free dog training which I am told is really "people training" and I will learn how to discipline properly and get her to obey me with out loud voice or tap on the nose. Thanks to everyone who answered my question and didn't accuse me of abusing my baby.

    • ANSWER:
      There's a saying in dog training......"You get the dog you deserve."
      Your dog is like this because you have done no training with her & allow her to have free-rein of the house unsupervised. She is shy because you physically punish her instead of teaching her. She doesn't understand the rules or the correct behavior, because you have never taught her. All the punishments do is make her more untrusting of you. If you really want to fix these problems & not just complain, I suggest a professional trainer. They can teach you, how to teach your dog. Way to many issues to even begin to address here on Y/A