Should you glue down indoor-outdoor carpet?

Installing indoor-outdoor carpet is a great way to add comfort and style to outdoor spaces like patios, porches, and pool decks. Unlike regular carpet, indoor-outdoor carpet is designed to withstand exposure to the elements while still providing a soft surface for bare feet.

When installing indoor-outdoor carpet outdoors, one decision you’ll need to make is whether to glue it down or not. There are pros and cons to both gluing it and leaving it loose-lay. Here’s what you need to know about whether and when to glue down indoor-outdoor carpet.

The pros of gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet

Gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet provides several benefits:

• It helps the carpet lie flat without any bumps, waves, or ripples. This gives the installation a smooth, professional look.
• Gluing prevents the carpet from sliding around or the edges from curling up. This adds to the polished appearance.
• It helps the carpet better withstand foot traffic without shifting around. The adhesive holds it firmly in place.
• In high-wind areas, gluing down the carpet may help keep it from blowing up in windy conditions.
• Glued down carpet is less prone to tripping hazards from loose edges or corners.

Overall, gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet provides a very stable, secure installation that looks great and performs well.

The cons of gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet

However, there are some downsides to gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet:

• It’s more difficult to remove and replace the carpet if needed. The adhesive bonds it firmly in place.
• Applying the adhesive takes more time, labor, and expense during installation.
• The fumes from carpet adhesive can be strong and unpleasant to work with.
• It may be harder to access or repair anything underneath the glued carpet, like the subfloor or wiring.
• Spills and stains are more difficult to clean since the carpet can’t be pulled up.

So gluing down the carpet does make it a more permanent installation. This can limit flexibility later on if you need to remove or replace the carpet for any reason.

When you should glue down indoor-outdoor carpet

Here are some situations where it’s best to glue down indoor-outdoor carpet:

• On concrete subfloors – Gluing helps the carpet adhere smoothly on concrete surfaces.
• In high-traffic areas – The adhesive helps the carpet withstand a lot of foot traffic without shifting.
• Around pools and hot tubs – Gluing prevents moisture from getting under the carpet and causing mildew.
• On frequently used outdoor staircases – Gluing prevents tripping hazards from loose edges and corners.
• In very windy regions – Gluing keeps the carpet from blowing up in wind gusts.
• For a long-term installation – Gluing provides the most secure, permanent installation.

In general, gluing down is best for high-traffic areas where you want the most stable and secure carpet installation possible.

When you don’t need to glue down indoor-outdoor carpet

Here are situations where gluing down probably isn’t necessary:

• On a wood deck or porch – Screwing the edges often gives enough stability.
• In a low-traffic area – Loose-lay carpet performs fine with light foot traffic.
• For a temporary installation – Allows easier removal if replacing the carpet after a short time.
• If mobility is needed – Not gluing allows the carpet to be rolled up and moved.
• For easy access underneath – Loose-lay makes it simple to pull up the carpet if needed.

In general, gluing is unnecessary in areas with very light foot traffic and where you may want the option to easily remove the carpet in the future.

How to glue down indoor-outdoor carpet

If you decide to glue down your indoor-outdoor carpet, follow these steps:

1. Clean the surface thoroughly where the carpet will be installed. Remove any debris, grease, wax, or particles that could prevent adhesion.
2. Apply the carpet adhesive using a notched trowel. The trowel allows you to spread an even layer of adhesive on the subfloor or concrete surface.
3. Allow the adhesive to partially dry until it’s tacky. This is known as “open time” and allows some of the moisture to evaporate.
4. Roll out and position the carpet. Press it into the adhesive to transfer the tacky glue onto the carpet backing.
5. Roll the carpet with a 75-100 lb carpet roller. This pushes the carpet into the adhesive to securely bond it.
6. Seal all exposed edges with an outdoor carpet seam sealer. This prevents moisture from seeping under the edges.
7. Allow 24 hours for the adhesive to fully cure before walking on the carpet.

Be sure to use an indoor/outdoor carpet adhesive designed for exterior installations. Popular options include Henry 263, Roberts 6700, and Mapei Ultrabond ECO 185.

Also, wear gloves and ventilation when working with carpet glue. The fumes can be very strong.

Tips for gluing indoor-outdoor carpet

Here are some helpful tips for a successful glued down installation:

• Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Make sure the subfloor is smooth, clean, and dry first.
• Apply the adhesive evenly using sweeping motions with the notched trowel.
• Don’t spread more adhesive than you can cover before it dries. Work in sections.
• Roll the entire carpet surface with a heavy roller to completely adhere it.
• Weight down any seams or edges with heavy objects until the glue cures.
• Consider gluing down tack strips around the perimeter instead of gluing the entire carpet.
• Test a small piece first to ensure the glue doesn’t bleed through light carpet colors.

Taking your time to properly apply the adhesive and smoothly install the carpet will lead to the best long-lasting results.

Alternatives to gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet

If you’d rather not glue down your indoor-outdoor carpet, what are your options? Here are some good alternatives:

• Screw or nail edges – You can secure the perimeter of the carpet by screwing or nailing down the edges into the deck or porch subfloor. This helps anchor the carpet in place without gluing the entire surface.
• Use carpet pad – Placing a piece of outdoor carpet pad under the carpet helps cushion it while also preventing sliding and keeping it in position.
• Install tack strips – Perimeter tack strips that the carpet edge pushes into can hold it firmly in place without adhesive.
• Use outdoor carpet tape – Double-sided outdoor carpet tapes applied under edges and seams can help adhere the carpet.
• Weight edges – Placing rocks, bricks, or other heavy objects around the carpet perimeter helps weigh it down.

All of these options involve securing the edges of the carpet in some way rather than gluing the entire surface. This still keeps the carpet stable underfoot without the permanence of full adhesive installation.

Conclusion

Gluing down indoor-outdoor carpet provides the most secure, long-lasting installation for high-traffic areas. However, it also makes the carpet harder to remove and replace later on. Loose-lay installation without adhesive is usually adequate for lower traffic areas where easy carpet removal may be desired.

Consider the location and your own needs when deciding whether to glue down indoor-outdoor carpet or not. Proper adhesive selection and application technique also ensures the carpet will be firmly adhered. With the right preparation, glued down indoor-outdoor carpet can provide years of performance in outdoor spaces.