Asked on Oct 16, 2016

Can outdoor carpet (the green stuff) be applied to an exposed deck?

Melissa
by Melissa
We have a deck that we spent three weekends re-doing with a HGTV recommended deck restoration product that peeled in 9 months. Cleaned and scraped, replaced rotted boards, and applied when the humidity was low. Now....we are left with an eyesore! See attached pictures. We are wondering if anyone has ever put the outdoor carpet directly over a wooden deck and what were the results. Will the moisture (rain and snow) evaporate or will this expedite the deterioration of the wooden deck? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
  71 answers
  • William William on Oct 17, 2016
    OH OH! You used one of those deck resurfacing kits. They tend to crack and peel as yours had. Reviews for the products are terrible. Wood needs to breathe. Covering it with outdoor carpeting will just deteriorate the deck. Short of refinishing it, you will have to sand all the material down to raw wood. Then you can refinish it. Another choice is to cover it with deck panels. Some are composite, some are wood, some just lay next to each other, some interlock. ***** https://www.google.com/#q=deck+panels&tbm=sho... ***** http://homerepair.about.com/od/yardandgarden/... ***** https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/go-old-de... ***** http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/deck/buil...
    • Kim Kim on Apr 05, 2020

      I had a large out door rug on part of my deck for several years in all seasons in Illinois. When I moved the rug, it obviously had protected the wood; it did not damage it at all. The area that was once covered still looks better than the rest of the deck.

  • Dana Dana on Oct 17, 2016
    If you put down that carpet it will rot the wood. Yes it will look for a short time. But in the long run will cost you more. Best option.. sand the stuff off.. the stain and treat with a sealer. No easy fix.
  • RichandTammy Whiteside RichandTammy Whiteside on Oct 17, 2016
    A friend of mine had the same problem. We used a 1700 psi electric pressure washer (they're soooo much quieter than gas) and blasted the deck clean. Then we sanded any areas that we went a little too rough on. (If the whole surface ends up rough, rent a floor sander from Lowes or Home Depot and save yourself the manual sanding. ) Then she and her husband went to either Lowes or Home Depot and just bought a high quality deck paint (not a restorer but deck paint). It was highly forgiving of any imperfections in the wood because of the coverage type that they selected and their deck looks brand new. It has survived 2 years without as much as a scratch in the paint and that deck gets a lot of use as they're out there as soon as its remotely warm enough to be outside. I think that you'll be very pleased with the end result. One other piece of advice. Save yourself a bit on the cleanup after pressure washing by taping plastic sheeting at least 3-4 feet high to the side of your house all the way down to the deck level and taping it at the bottom also. Anything that gets kicked up vertically from the pressure washer will stick to the sheeting instead of your house. (Did I mention that I was lazy? lol) You can also lay plastic sheeting or cheap drop cloths that you can dispose of on the ground around the deck area to catch a majority of the stuff that comes off of the deck. Again -- more easy clean up. For your own clean up, I would suggest a floor length garbage bag skirt. Seriously, otherwise your shoes and anything else will also be the lovely recipient of what the pressure washer kicks up. You might look silly but it will be worth it in the end. You really will be quite pleased with the end result when you do this yourself. One more note, I would send any remaining product back or a copy of the receipt if you still have it along with the above pictures and a complaint about the product. My guess is that you will get either a full or partial refund. Here's a really neat color selector that will get you not just to the color that you want but also to the paint that you need. http://paintcolor.homedepot.com/exterior/brow... Sorry for the really long answer but hopefully you found some useful information within! Good luck to you! :)
    • See 3 previous
    • RichandTammy Whiteside RichandTammy Whiteside on Oct 28, 2016
      You know what? Looking closer at your deck, you would probably get the job done fairly quickly with a sharp floor scraper. Just be careful not to gouge your deck. Then you can hit it with a sander. If it's popping up just from the weather exposure, that might be even easier and then just pressure wash what doesn't come off and then give the whole deck a good pressure washing before continuing. You might end up liking the clean and natural deck so much that you may decide just to apply a deck sealant!
  • Mssmatch Mssmatch on Oct 17, 2016
    must definitely the carpet will make it rot!
  • Louise Fletcher Crouse Louise Fletcher Crouse on Oct 17, 2016
    The carpet will look good - for a while! Deck will rot. After trying everything, we replaced our wood with a composite decking (like Trex, but a cheaper brand sold by Lowe's). Best thing we ever did!
  • Mitzi Mitzi on Oct 17, 2016
    We bought a place where they put indoor/ out door carpet/grass on the deck and had to replace the deck because it never dried out completely. There was a lot of rot and mold under the deck. Take the time to rent a pressure washer and then resurface the deck.
  • Sandra. Jackson Sandra. Jackson on Oct 17, 2016
    You can use a spray to stick artificial grass down to keep it in place
  • V Smith V Smith on Oct 17, 2016
    Can you consider turning the boards over and cleaning up the railing?
  • Marie Caruana Marie Caruana on Oct 17, 2016
    Power wash, let dry, sand, then paint with deck stain (not paint). Just finished my deck(s)--they look wonderful. Paint put on the deck years ago rotted all the wood (keeps moisture in).
  • Wyldecent Wyldecent on Oct 17, 2016
    I had the same problem with the product. I ended up scraping it all off (not fun) and staining the wood with solid color stain instead, which has worked well.
  • Sarah Sarah on Oct 17, 2016
    We used deck over from home depot. But it is all in the prep work, power wash, sand, prime, and apply deck over. We did 3 coats.
  • Kdblaisdell Kdblaisdell on Oct 17, 2016
    I love this stuff. I used it to restore a deck that looked far worse. http://www.woodrich-brand.com/Ipe_Deck_Restor...
  • Diane Wahl Diane Wahl on Oct 17, 2016
    We used Restore deck paint from Home Depot. It is a textured rubber like paint that you can put over the deck. Ours was a pool deck so the added bonus was that it becomes non slip even when wet. We thought we would have to replace our deck because the wood was horrid looking. We replaced only about 8 boards and then painted the texture with a roller with extended handle. It went quickly and easily. It took 2 of the 5 gallon size to do our entire deck which coast about $180. but was well worth it. It should last for years. We did not have to do any prep work, just power washed and painted. Easy peasy.
    • See 1 previous
    • Sheila C Adams Sheila C Adams on Aug 25, 2019

      I used Deckover and it chipped in 6 months. I did everything that was recommended. I regret using it.


      I called Berh and sent in pictures of my deck. They sent me 3 gallons of Deckover to repaint. (It took eight gallons.) Did not use this product. I wish I would have know before I spent all that money getting my deck painted. Now, I have to spend twice as much to get it repaired.

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Oct 17, 2016
    Ws it by any chance a Rustoleum product. Several people have had the same problem, including me. The only solution is to scrape, sand as much off as possible, make sure it is bone dry and then try another product.
  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Oct 17, 2016
    Same problem with one of the new hybrid products suppose to be oil based water cleanup. Most is crap. Ended up scraping and sanding, got most of it off then applied and oil stain semi transparent which will actually soak into the wood 2 coats later and 3 years it is still good. Someone suggested I could have used a pressure washer to take of the other stuff, but you have to be careful you don't chew up the wood if pressure is too high.
  • CMMc CMMc on Oct 17, 2016
    Sister in law used something that was very hard to use..and peeled over the winter. She didn't use indoor-outdoor carpet.
  • 861650 861650 on Oct 17, 2016
    Please do not use that outdoor green carpet. Very hard to sweep and keep clean. Is the worst decision I ever made. Nasty stuff!
    • Goodfellas Goodfellas on May 19, 2019

      They make improved outdoor pool deck carpets that look more like a low grade indoor style. I used the product Restore @ 8 years ago and it has yet to peel unlike most people who have used it. I used a 1700 PSI pressure washer to remove dirt and any lose material and my surface is still covered. I have no issues with rotting wood with the exception of the top rails that I have replaced many times. By using a good quality glue and staple the edges down your carpet should last you for years. Don’t use Thompson’s Water Seal as you will be wasting your money. I have had my deck for a couple of decades now and the only wood I replaced were the top rails. I will be having trex used to replace the rails and a light color carpet for the deck surface. There’s nothing worse than a hot floor on the deck of your pool.

  • Beverly Campbell Beverly Campbell on Oct 17, 2016
    We have a 1200 sq. ft. deck that goes over our garage and we tried everything you could think of to keep it from leaking into the garage. We have a friend who is a contractor and he suggested putting pond liner down first and then the outdoor carpet. It has been down for 3 years now and not a leak in the garage. We overlapped the seams of the pond liner and used an outdoor glue that you heat up with a high temp blow dryer. Good luck.
  • Darlene Darlene on Oct 17, 2016
    We built a deck for our pool using used wood from another deck. We painted it using just regular outdoor paint and then covered the whole deck with an outdoor carpeting, not the green stuff but a nice brown. We used carpeting because I did not want anyone getting splinters from the pool deck! We have an above ground salt water pool and the deck is still standing perfectly 6 years later, however, we did change the carpeting last year because it was starting to fray and look a bit shabby. We replaced again with an outdoor carpeting but a bit more plushy and softer this time. Be aware that different textures and colors may get hot in the sun.
  • Barbara Barbara on Oct 17, 2016
    I have pool carpeting inside my screened in porch that was converted from my deck. I have absolutely no trouble with it. At the beginning of each season I steam clean it as you would indoor carpeting. I replaced it once in a 13 year period. I also used that product your speaking of and I was so disappointed. My outside deck looks exactly like yours in one year's time. We used Deck Guard. I would never recommend that product to anyone.
  • Patricia Patricia on Oct 17, 2016
    Oh sorry this happened to you! I'm not sure about the carpeting, but I would think it could compromise the wood. I was told by a contractor to not paint the wood on our deck. Instead he recommended a tinted stain instead. It lasts for years and is easy to reapply when it fades. I recommend contacting the manufacturer of the product and see if they have a warranty or suggestions for removing the product (i.e. power washing?). Best of luck to you!
  • Patrick de Schepper Patrick de Schepper on Oct 17, 2016
    Artificial grass
  • Susan Ellis Yamakawa Susan Ellis Yamakawa on Oct 17, 2016
    Our deck is rotten in places- I bought Elmers "fix it " and it seems to help but we will need to replace our deck Thank you for your advice about stain
  • Blu11356773 Blu11356773 on Oct 17, 2016
    Pressure wash and either repaint or better yet, put Thompsons water sealer on it. Outdoor carpet will rot the wood. You wouldn't want anyone falling through an unseen rotten deck. You have your work cut out but will be nice when finished.
    • See 2 previous
    • Jim Ely Jim Ely on Jun 20, 2019

      I built a large deck around my 20'x 36' pool 27 years ago. One section of the the deck (about 400 sq ft) was indoor/outdoor polyester carpet (similar to astro turf but longer nap). It was installed over exterior grade (not pressure treated) 3/4" plywood. I covered the plywood with heavy grade felt paper and then covered that with a single sheet of heavy grade black plastic. I wrapped the material around the open edges (pool side) as best I could. On the outside edges, I rolled the material and tacked it just below floor level.


      The take-away is this: The plywood floor has withstood 27 years of high winds, rain, snow and chlorinated water. The free-standing pool itself was completely rebuilt 4 years ago. The carpet has been replaced 4 times and I'm just getting ready to replace it for the 5th time. Each time, I redo the felt paper and plastic sheet. Generally, the higher quality polyester carpets are not expensive and can survive the sun and weather for about 7 years. (The woven carpets were a disaster.) But the floor... the floor has survived it all.

  • Patty Patty on Oct 17, 2016
    It looks as though you applied a heavy body stain rather than a penetrating. A heavy body stain should never be used on a deck. If it were my deck I would pressure wash it really well, then and and scrape all of the paint or heavy body stain off. then sweep it and wash again you don't want any dust or chips on it, if you like the natural color of you deck then just apply Thompson water seal on it but if you want it darker or just a different color buy penetrating stain, then apply a good poly some people are going to the marine grade poly which is what I would use. It will be a lot of work for your large deck but well worth it.
    • Melissa Melissa on Oct 26, 2016
      It actually states for "deck restoration" on the buckets. We so regret ever purchasing this horrible product!
  • Steve Steve on Oct 17, 2016
    covered my deck with astro turf it looks awsome
  • Linda Johnson Linda Johnson on Oct 17, 2016
    We live in an area where there is a lot of rain. I had to take the carpet off of our uncovered wood deck because the carpet held moisture and rotted the wood. We had to replace a lot of the wood on that deck. If you don't like having to paint the deck, you might want to consider a TREX type of decking. It's permanent and doesn't require a lot of upkeep.
  • Barb Barb on Oct 17, 2016
    Sorry Bluedog and Patricia but I find Thompson's water seal a total waste of money. I agree all that can be done now is to power wash and sand the finish off and use a penetrating stain. I recommend Sikkens. Good luck!
  • J747725427 J747725427 on Oct 17, 2016
    i agree with others p wash. scrape/plane then stain and seal
  • Gail Hoak Gail Hoak on Oct 17, 2016
    I have had grey outdoor carpeting on my front porch for years and have never had to replace any of the wood underneath. But you do have to paint the wood underneath with and oil based porch paint. My porch gets wet all year round with rain and snow and ice. I can even power wash it with no problems. So instead of stain I would go with the oil based paint before it's carpeted.
    • Marie R Marie R on Mar 31, 2017

      That makes sense, Gail! Depends on how much time, effort and money a person wants to put into it...longevity is the goal lol

  • Deid4 Deid4 on Oct 18, 2016
    I put outdoor carpet over my splintered deck, it stayed for 6 years..best thing we ever did. After the 6 years...we just replaced it! Great solution. Good luck.
  • Kimberley Mouser Kimberley Mouser on Oct 18, 2016
    Silly I know but have you ever thought of covering the deck eg: veranda
  • Nellie Nellie on Oct 24, 2016
    I have been working with a company in Palm Desert CA. They have recycle rubber and recycle glass paint. . I used the recycle rubber over my damaged wood siding, It was. CDX. And the recycle glass paint over the siding. Company Hyperseal. I put this over rolled roofing and painted it with recycle glass. Holding up great. 5 years. I mixed Olympia solid stain, water base, with white recycle glass. Nice tan color. Dark brown 1 gallon to 4 gallons white.
  • Nellie Nellie on Oct 26, 2016
    I had a situation like this, I found company in Palm Desert, CA. Hyperseal and they make a recycle rubber paint that I used on decking and then put recycle glass paint over the rubber. I mixed my white recycle glass paint with Olympic solid stain. I did this job 5 years ago. Holding up great. Lots of bird droppings and it washes off without stain. I patched a hole in roof with same recycle rubber. Doesn't shrink and water base.
  • Nellie Nellie on Oct 26, 2016
    The recycle rubber would protect the wood and don't see any reason why carpet can't be over the rubber.
    • See 1 previous
    • Nellie Nellie on Dec 31, 2016

      Check Hyperseal Recycle rubber and glass paint. Palm Desert CA, Great product. I used the rubber over rolled roofing, with the recycle glass OVER the rubber. Six years and it is perfect, don't stain or shrink. Very hot in Desert, need something that sand can't sandblast.

  • Patty Patty on Oct 27, 2016
    What is the product you used?
    • Nellie Nellie on Jan 01, 2017

      Hyperseal Company's has website. Palm Desert, CA. Attention Brian. Great product. I painted the mobile with recycle glass paint. Patched with recycle rubber. Recycle rubber can be used for roofing, broken tile on roof. I used under tile I replaced instead of thinset.

  • Sarah Sarah on Oct 27, 2016
    It is a very thick stain that needs to be rolled on, check it out on the Home Depot website.
  • DORLIS DORLIS on Oct 28, 2016
    the more I think about it, I would not install carpet simply because I live in the woods and have critters that would chew on it and pull it up. Plus so many leaves inthe fall that would stick to it and could not be swept off.
  • Deid4 Deid4 on Oct 30, 2016
    Don't hesitate to put indoor/outdoor carpet over your wood deck. Summer crept up on me and I was in a panic to cover my wood deck, everyone was getting splinters. I chose a pale steel blue carpet (not the fake looking grass carpet. It held up extremely well, it faded a bit but it was on that deck for 6 years. A reasonable cost when I realized how low it was down. It looked so nice, I would use the leaf blower to clear leaves. If one of us spilled on the carpet, I just poured water right through the carpet.
  • Lolo Lolo on Oct 31, 2016
    years ago my deck boards were dried out like yours so I flipped them over and it was almost like a new deck (its a lot of work must be careful not to break boards)
  • Nellie Nellie on Nov 06, 2016
    I would use the recycle rubber, paint with recycle glass paint. Both are water base. Company name is Hyperseal, in Palm Desert CA. They have website. Been using products for 5 years. Did my front and back balconies with both products. Bird droppings clean off and no stain.
  • Jay Jay on Dec 21, 2016

    I'll bet the product was Restore by Rustoleum . Some one said its not good in sun, hot or cold, or wet....ha ha. what decks are NOT atleast 3 of those things?? I used 2 gallons for a small front porch floor, over priced, ;but believed the hype so I went with it. Did lots of prep work to assure good job, waste of time. !!!


    • See 2 previous
    • Deb Allenbaugh Deb Allenbaugh on Mar 23, 2017

      I used the Rustoleum stuff too, what a mess my deck is now ! peeling paint after 6 months !

  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Jan 06, 2017

    My fil used an epoxy type sealant with a grit in to seal his deck. It has a bit of grit added to prevent slipping.. I have no idea what it was.. Question.. did you put on ONE coat of the sealant ? I know several people have done TW0 coat,, thinking it would be better.. caused nothing but problems until they sanded it down and applied ONE coat,, no problems since..

    ALSO,, the adhesive for the outdoor carpet is worse than SUPERGLUE... ,, be careful it may NEVER COME OFF. I don't know how you would redo the wood if you needed to replace anything down the road.... just a thought..

    • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Jan 22, 2017

      Wouldn't need to redo wood, would need to replace it as the carpet aids in rotting as it retains moisture.

  • Mari Detto Mari Detto on Jan 08, 2017

    We used Deck and Dock from Sherwin Willian's on our wood deck and our concrete front porch and steps and neither have peeled or chipped in 3 years. It's pricey at about $50 per gallon and it's very thick, but we caught it on sale and paid about $35 per gallon. We did pressure wash first and let it fully dry before painting.

  • Melissa Melissa on Jan 08, 2017

    Update: I wrote to the original manufacturer TWO TIMES in 2016. The parent company replied and I supplied them with the same letter, pictures and proof of purchase. I have not heard from them since I mailed that letter November 2016. In other words, three letters have been sent in 2016 to get someone to take responsiblity for this unacceptable product. At this point, I would like a refund for sure and something to clean up the deck and start all over. If I have to, I will try and pursue some kind of legal action in small claims court. Thank you to everyone for your support and great ideas. This has been an expensive learning process to say the least. If and when I hear from the parent company, I will update again. Thank you kindly.

    • Melissa Melissa on Jan 30, 2017

      Hey Everyone! Thanks so much for all your suggestions and comments. Update....we finally received a response in the form of a $356 check. No letter, no nothing! The check does not even cover the cost of the product we purchased which will have to be stripped off the deck now since it's coming off in large chunks. So...at this point, I'm going to try and get a response in the form of them doing something about my deck. This is so frustrating. Will look into small claims court too...if that's even an option. Thanks again!

  • Bunny Bunny on Jan 21, 2017

    I have a 100% polyproylene patio mat, 5x8, on my patio for over 3 years now. Looks the same as it did brand new. Paid about $40 for it in either QVC or HSN with free delivery. You can hose it down if you spill anything on it. Cleans up easily...weighs next to nothing. There is no 'pile' to these patio mats... Label says it came from patiomats.com, made in China. I would just buy a few of these and cover the bad areas of your deck.

  • Red5919457 Red5919457 on Jan 27, 2017

    In our opinion and living in Sunny Fla

    Go ahead and use indoor/ outdoor carpet.

    We had ours down for over 15 years and only changed it for another color.

    Easy to care for~ use a blower to remove debris and a sprayer on hose to shampoo it off.

    Dont purchase thin though.

  • Claude Claude on Feb 03, 2017

    used royal blue indoor outdoor carpet that was glued to a plywood deck around the pool...10' wide around a 50' area...twenty years later it began to lift..no splinters on swimmers feet. It worked great. I would be concerned about stripes because of the space between slats and the extra wear.

    now I have an area rug that I paid $30 for in Costco on my deck. I can move it,hose it off, it keeps all the outside grass cuttings outside and muddy footprintS. I flipped. My deck boards too, immediately sealed them with a STAIN that was see thru and got another 8 years out of the deck. You have options. Good luck.

  • Olive Greenz Olive Greenz on Feb 03, 2017

    Because our stone pathway and deck gets very hot from the sun I put down Safavieh indoor/outdoor rugs. Through months of rain and hot sun they still look new. Love 'em.

  • Lois Schmertzler Lois Schmertzler on Feb 09, 2017

    I lived In my house for 30 years I had indoor indoor

  • Deb Allenbaugh Deb Allenbaugh on Mar 23, 2017

    Do NOT use Rustoleum rescue deck paint, I used it on mine and in less than 6 months its started peeling off in big pieces. I have a mess , and I'm still scraping the paint off ! Check out the reviews on their products, I wish I would have !

  • Melissa Melissa on Mar 25, 2017

    Too late! I wish I would have too. I've sent 3 certified letters requesting some sort of resolution. They did send a check but it didn't even cover the initial cost of the product. Thinking of doing small claims. At this point....husband said we will have to tear the deck apart because we will never get it all off the spindles. Just so upset about it all!

  • Melissa Melissa on Mar 25, 2017

    Verdict....We will not be doing carpet! Decided that we will be forced to tear the deck apart and will go with a maintenance free product. Buyer beware! Always check online for reviews of a product you intend to use before making the investment. Way the pros and cons! I wish I would have done it. Hard lesson learned. Thanks everyone!

    • Sandra Koppela Sandra Koppela on Jun 22, 2019

      The Restore and DeckOvet products need about 16 inches or more above grade in order to adhere properly. The products seals the wood and the moisture has to be able to escape from underneath or it will pop the paint. I have it on my 3 raised decks, and not a problem, except where the steps get close to the ground. If you don't have that kind of clearance it is not the product for you...

  • Marie R Marie R on Mar 31, 2017

    I bought some of the restore stuff...due to procrastination I have not used it..and won't lol. I've seen to many people complain about it. I'm going to find somewhere to use it where there is no 'use' of the finished product. My son did his picnic table..that has held up. A little mini deck around his pool...that's done ok...but I think its because no 'heavy' traffic on it...just water and barefoot kids. It's true traffic that makes this stuff not work on well traveled areas...I'm also thinking of putting it on a few stepping stones I have that don't really get 'walked' on...so, I'll find a use lol. I think wooden structures can be overrated,, they really require quite a bit of upkeep,,,unless of course you get the 'plastic'..which costs an arm and a leg:)


  • Toni Hickey Toni Hickey on Jun 01, 2017

    PLEASE do NOT put carpeting of ANY kind down. My landlord put carpeting down on my beautiful deck two years ago, and within three months mold started developing. Right now the mold has spread everywhere on the carpet, and also to the wood railings around the deck, and even on to the siding of the apartment building. My deck is not usable, and I cannot even open my patio doors for fear that the mold spores will blow into my apartment. My cat is allergic to mold, and she loves having the patio doors open so that she can watch the birds and squirrels outside. It is Summer - I cannot use my deck - and I cannot get my landlord to do anything about the problem.

  • Denise Denise on Apr 18, 2018

    My deck looked exactly like this picture I powerwashed it let dry sanded it washed it again. Let dry a week or 2. Then used Cabets stain. It looked good for 1 summer. I ended up putting thin indoor outdoor carpet on the whole floor. It's starting to get green. Areas. . I'm going to rent a rug doctor and clean it when weather gets warm . I did get the rest of the deck professional powerwashed and painted with that paint that fills in old split s in deck wood .It was done in boat house brown.A light color. I was told lighter color holds up better because it won't attract as much heat and it will last better and longer. I wish i would of had deck floor painted also and then just get large area ouutdoor rugs to put down for summer. I see why ppl were saying it can cause issues with mold.

  • Alice Alice on Apr 18, 2018

    it sure can...

  • Allen Hall Allen Hall on Oct 24, 2018

    We just had this dock built with a sun deck. I had the same question, I didn't want to get into a yearly maintenance issue with stain. So I was thinking about putting down the grass like indoor/outdoor carpet but maybe laying down a sheet of plastic first or maybe as suggested above, paint the wood with a good oil base exterior paint.

    Suggestions?

  • Goodfellas Goodfellas on May 19, 2019

    I used the product Restore @ 8 years ago and the issues that others have had was the surface peeling off in sheets. I haven’t had any problems since I’ve applied the product. My only complaint is the amount of heat that is retained from being in the sun all day. Because of this I’ve placed carpet runners in certain places. The product is still on my deck but I don’t want to put runners on it anymore so I’m going to cover it with a decent outdoor carpet. I figured that I have enough stain and Restore still on my deck and if I use a good glue I feel that it will keep the wood from rotting. The only wood that is rotting is the top rails which I’m replacing with trex as I did with the hand rails going down the stairs. It took one splinter to go into my hand and I then removed the railings and solved that problem. My deck is 21 years old and I’ve never had to replace any decking but I have replaced the rails on the top of the deck three times. A 1700 PSI pressure washer didn’t remove any of the Restore product I put down so I feel that it is still well protected from rotting and will be a good surface to install carpet. Outside carpet has changed over the years and you don’t have to settle for the old plastic type instead they have a cloth material that is made for direct weather conditions. I will also use my trim stapler to put staples in certain places to be sure that the carpet is secured around the edges. The sides and spindles were painted with Behr solid color stain and looks as good as the day it was applied. Don’t use Thompson’s Water Seal as you’ll only be wasting your time and money. The same goes with Sickens, this product is applied in steps and is very expensive. I want to feel comfortable at my pool and having a hot floor isn’t my idea of being relaxed. Before you install any type of carpet be sure that you clean the surface of dirt and any lose material or you will not get a good seal with the glue.

    Finally be sure to use a neutral color carpet and stay away from dark shades for the comfort of the temperature retained from direct sunlight.

  • Emmawilliams1 Emmawilliams1 on Dec 22, 2020

    I just have one suggestion... Please be careful if you put Thompsons sealer on a deck..I almost killed myself a few years ago. It had rained and was cold but not freezing and I stepped onto the deck and went flying across the deck, yes, on my back...It has a somewhat oily ingredient to protect but please be careful if you use it and plan to walk on it after a rain...Works great for fences etc....HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!! and STAY SAFE ESPECIALLY WITH THIS COVID MESS ALSO....

  • Charles Ulbricht Charles Ulbricht on May 02, 2021

    Easy fix. Roll carpet out when you entertain, then roll it up when your done! Store under porch. Problem solved!

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 02, 2021

    You can buy a piece of that and put it out. Do remember it will get wet and hold the water before it dries out.

  • Em Em on May 02, 2021

    Yes Home Depot sells it on rolls cut to size. Got to agree that it holds moisture and will rot wood faster. If you are looking to cover because of ugly or splintery wood, take the time to sand it and restain it instead. You can rent a large sander if you don't own one.

  • Kyle Kyle on Sep 27, 2021

    I am a carpet installer. I would sheet your porch with an underlayment. Then glue the carpet down to that. That way when the carpet is old you can tear it out without damaging the porch.

  • Kyle Kyle on Sep 27, 2021

    They also make different color outdoor carpet. I would not choose green. I would have to go with grey

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 07, 2023

    Yes you can!

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 13, 2023

    That green carpeting can and will break down over time making removing it a headache in most cases.

    Deck over is sort of a application that helps make the deck slip proof, splinter proof and water resistent.

  • I think that the carpet is going to get moldy underneath and it can also get gummy underneath from sun. It will be terrible to lift. I would sand, stain and then stain with a solid stain from Benjamin Moore. It's pricey but worth every penny.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 02, 2023

    Try pressure washing the deck first to see how much of the resurfacing material you can get off of there. If possible you could turn the boards over. That would be a lot of work but it would save you money.

    Stain the deck. Stain won't peel off it is absorbed into the wood.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 03, 2023

    Natural fibre outdoor rugs will deteriorate a wood deck since they absorb a lot of water. This discharge facilitates the growth of mildew, which causes the wood to decay. Rugs made of polypropylene preserve decks better since they are weather resistant.

  • I would sand and refinish the wood deck. A rug will just hold moisture.