There was a time when the choice and difference in outdoor carpeting was really limited, and all that was available was synthetic grass style. But times change, and nowadays the choice in quality, color and style for outdoor carpets is truly staggering.

You also need to consider where you are going to put the outdoor carpet. Whether it's for your deck, the patio, or for around your pool, there are different types of outdoor carpeting that are on the market.

Still, one of the most important and primary considerations is the amount of dampness that the carpet will be subject to. This will be a primary determinant of the underlying needed quality, and therefore of cost.

The basic material for outdoor carpet production is olefin, which is a derived version of Polypropylene its texture is a little rough compared to other choices but it's quite resistant, so it's a decent enough choice for heavy duty use. Its resistance to sunlight is also good, so colors won't fade on an olefin outdoor carpets.

The simplest version of this kind of carpet that you will find is the Astroturf-like grassy material, well-known from stadiums and such. The basic artificial grass types are a little threadbare, and only good for areas that are not subject to heavy use.

The next step up is higher quality grass-like olefin base outdoor carpeting, which is more moisture resistant and generally much better in areas subject to lots of passing and other heavy use. This grade is recommended over the simpler version, as it will last much longer.

The other big family of outdoor carpets is based on imitating indoor styles, but adding waterproofing. The materials are mostly synthetic, but plant-based or woolen outdoor carpets also exist. Most have a water-repellent backing and are treated to be highly mold-resistant.

Plush outdoor carpets are available in different grades, and you should judge them according to similar criteria than indoor ones. How thick are they? How many knots per square centimeter? What size? How is the finishing? Plus, make sure to note their water-resistance.

Ask if the carpet is sunlight resistant, and if it has moisture resistant marine backing. These are the most important things to consider when buying outdoor carpet that will be subject to a lot of moisture. You can expect that the price will increase proportionally to density, size, and similar criteria.

Look at the offers of more than one seller and don't skim on a bit of money going for the cheaper option as it will last much less and leave you with the need to replace that outdoor carpet.