A composite deck can be a great addition to your household besides the advantages of a traditional deck, as they offer some distinct benefits. It does not easily rot, decay, or get damaged while looking as good as natural wood.
A good-looking outdoor rug on your composite deck can enhance the beauty of the already amazing deck but will an outdoor rug damage a composite deck?
The combination of the two can be amazing, but there are some downsides. Outdoor rugs can cause damage to composite decks. Although it doesn’t directly affect the composite deck, the components of outdoor rugs can promote mold growth, damaging your deck.
Outdoor rugs are an irreplaceable part of a house, and if you know the right tricks, you can easily avoid the potential damage and other problems that might result from using rugs.
In this article, I will focus on everything you need to know about using outdoor rugs with composite decks. So, keep on reading.
Can Outdoor Rugs Cause Damage to Composite Decks?
Composite decks look like normal wooden decks, except they are made from natural wood fiber, resin, etc.
The goal is to resemble natural wood and eliminate the downsides of natural wood, such as rotting, warping, cracking, etc.
There are concerns regarding using outdoor rugs on composite decks. Outdoor rugs can cause composite damage depending on various factors.
The type of rug and how well you care for it come into play, as leaving the outdoor rug neglected can cause severe damage to your composite deck that might be costly to fix.
Here are some types of damages that you can expect when using rugs on your composite resin:
Weathering
When the sun hits your composite deck, it can damage it. The sun’s UV rays are like little knives that will slice into the wood’s pores, causing deep cracks and profound splintering.
If you have a composite deck using rugs, you should be careful about the sun exposure hours.
One should never leave them out during the day when they could be exposed to hours of sunlight.
Instead, bring them in after a day of use so they do not become damaged by the sun.
Scratching
Scratching is the most common damage that rugs cause. This happens especially when they are not of high quality. Some rugs will be too coarse to fit on your deck, even with a rug pad.
When this happens, the rug’s edges will begin to scratch the surface of your composite deck. This can also cause dents in the wood as you walk across it with shoes on.
Stains
Composite decks eliminate natural oils. These oils stain the outdoor rugs used on these decks. These oils absorb into the wood and eventually lead to water damage over time.
Clean your outdoor stained rugs occasionally to prevent damage to composite decks. This is also necessary to prevent staining from occurring again.
You can also treat some stains on your rugs with chemical products to stay clean longer.
Dirt & Grime
Using a rug on your deck will inevitably leave dirt and dust behind over time. So, try to clean your rug with a good scrubbing brush.
This will help remove the dirt and dust left behind; you should also vacuum the floor weekly to keep the deck clean.
Mildew & Mold
If you leave your rugs out in the sun, they will most likely be damaged by mildew. This can happen over time.
Especially if you don’t keep your rugs clean or if any mold or mildew starts growing on them.
If you have a composite deck, you should make sure to clean them regularly and wash them occasionally to prevent mildew from occurring.
Dents & Splinters
Another type of damage is a dent or splinters on composite decks. If one leaves these types of damage untreated, they can cause further damage to your deck by rotting.
You should always report any damage to your deck so it can be repaired as soon as possible. The longer the damage remains, the worse it will get.
How to Prevent Any Damage to Your Deck When Using Rugs?
Some simple tricks can easily prevent damage to your composite deck. Here is how you can take care of your deck while using outdoor rugs:
Cleaning rugs regularly
Cleaning your rugs regularly can not only prolong the lifespan of the rug but also can prevent damage to your deck. Don’t let dirt and other debris accumulate on the rug or anywhere near it.
Also, make sure that no dirt or leaves gather underneath the rug. Vacuum cleaning once a week should suffice to keep your rug clean.
However, it also depends on how dirty your outdoor space is. You can also use a broom to clean under the rug. A swift shake should do the trick to get rid of dust from the rug.
Always remember that dirt buildup under the rug is the main enemy of your deck. So don’t forget to clean underneath the rug.
Clean deck regularly
Cleaning your rug regularly is not enough. You also have to keep your outdoors clean. A dirty deck means your rug becomes dirty faster.
If you put enough effort into keeping your deck clean, you won’t have to do much to clean your rug.
Everything that stays outside gets dirty fast, so efficient cleaning once in a while should be very helpful to keep rugs clean.
Remove the rug from the deck and give your deck a thorough cleaning. Cleaning the deck twice a year is enough, depending on the outdoor condition.
Also, while cleaning the deck, check for any damage. You can easily miss small or superficial damage, so look carefully.
If you can detect any damage initially, you can repair it for a lot less compared to advance damages.
Don’t place the rug on a wet surface
A wet surface is the breeding ground for various molds, which can subsequently damage your deck.
When you place your rug on a wet surface, the water gets trapped and cannot be dried. As a result, it damages your deck.
Both the deck and the rug should be completely dry. Mold and mildew growth can break down the fibers of the composite deck and weaken it.
Drying rug if it gets wet
Though outdoor rugs are water-resistant, they are not completely impervious to rain, mud, snow, etc.
When you find your rug is damp, wrap it up and lay it on a railing or a flat surface in the sun to dry.
Make sure the surface is non-wooden, or else the water from the rug shall damage the wood. Before reinstalling the rug on your deck, ensure both sides are dry.
This will help to prevent mold growth inside the strands and extend the life of your rug.
What Type of Rug Is Bad for Composite Decks?
Using outdoor rugs on composite is okay, but not all rugs are the same. Some outdoor carpets are made of materials that harm a composite deck.
A poor choice might result in stains, discoloration, scratching, etc.
Avoid using outdoor carpets with latex, rubber backings, accented metal grommets, etc. These might scrape your decking or corrode and discolor it.
What Type of Rug is Best for Composite Decks?
You should pick rugs made of traditionally woven polypropylene or recycled plastic mats. These will not scuff or harm your decking and will not collect moisture; here is a high-quality Venice-style option.
As we all know, moisture is the heaven for mold growth, and it will prevent mold and mildew from growing beneath damp rugs.
There should be at least a three months gap between installing a composite deck and placing an outdoor rug on the deck.
It is because, during the three months, the deck’s color gets gradually faded, so when you place the rug, there’s an equal color tone across the deck.
If you place a rug on the wood too soon, the color tone on your deck will be uneven.
Can Outdoor Rugs Cause Damage to My Composite Deck if I Use a Fire Pit Nearby?
Yes, a quality backyard fire pit can cause damage to a composite deck if placed too close to outdoor rugs. The heat from the fire pit can transfer through the rug, potentially causing discoloration or even melting of the decking material. It’s important to carefully consider placement to avoid any potential damage.
Final Thoughts on Whether An Outdoor Rug Can Damage a Composite Deck
Outdoor rugs are cheap but can enhance the aesthetic of your house like expensive accessories.
As I have stated above, the combination of the outdoor rug and composite deck can be second to none.
However, if you don’t utilize the combination properly, it can be an expensive repair.
But it’s nothing that can’t be avoided. If you know the reasons for damage to your deck, you can easily avoid them.
Also, using the right type of rug for your composite and avoiding the wrong one can mitigate the probability of damage.