Usually when you think about indoor-outdoor carpet, you probably picture the green plastic stuff that people used to put on their porches, or those green fake grass door mats. Well, that kind of indoor-outdoor carpet is still around and being bought today, but is has grown, so to speak, in the number of styles and colors that you can choose from.

The most popular indoor-outdoor carpet that is being purchased today is made from 100% UV olefin fibers. Indoor-outdoor carpeting made from olefin is more fade resistant, easier to remove stains from, and pretty easy to clean.

As with other types of carpeting, indoor-outdoor varieties are available in different grades that cost different amounts. Check the thickness of the carpet when you go to purchase some, the thicker it feels and looks, probably the better it is.

The lower economy grade of indoor-outdoor carpeting is good for use indoors and outdoors, but only in covered areas that is not likely to be exposed to much bad weather and not too much traffic. Medium grade indoor-outdoor carpeting is good for indoor uses and outdoor uses that will be exposed to the elements.

Higher quality indoor-outdoor carpeting should have a marine backing and is excellent for continual outdoor exposure. There are even higher grades of indoor-outdoor carpeting that have the look and feel of real carpet. This is much of what is being used today for floor covering that you might want to have a more normal carpet look.

At first thought, you might wonder exactly what else indoor-outdoor carpeting is good for besides covering a porch or patio. Actually, indoor-outdoor carpeting has many uses. In a child's bedroom or playroom it is an excellent choice because it can be easy to care for. Many people use it inside campers and motor homes for these same reasons.

Camping and traveling a lot can get pretty dirty sometimes and the versatility of indoor-outdoor is great. If you own a boat that has a cabin, there could probably not be a better floor covering than indoor-outdoor carpeting. Whenever there can be water tracked in and out of an area like a cruising boat, a pool house or the pool area itself, this kind of floor covering can be great.

Installing indoor-outdoor carpet is a great do it yourself project. Indoor-outdoor carpet is lighter than regular carpeting and is not that difficult to install, especially in small spaces. Be sure and follow installation procedures carefully for the type of surface you are putting the indoor-outdoor carpeting on so you will get the best performance from it.