How Much Does Outdoor Carpet Installation Cost in 2024?

Average Outdoor Carpet Installation Cost

Outdoor Carpet Price Factors

Outdoor carpet costs vary depending on the necessary labor, material, color and style, brand, and whether the carpet is for commercial or residential purposes.

Labor

Labor costs between $0.50 and $2 per square foot of carpet installed and may make up as much as 50% of your total budget. Most carpet installers charge between $35 and $80 per hour, with higher prices for more complex projects. If you’re replacing an old carpet, make sure to factor in the carpet removal cost.

Material

The other major cost driver of your outdoor carpet installation is the amount of material you need. Outdoor carpet requires less additional material than conventional indoor carpeting. However, you’ll still need to pay for the amount you intend to use, plus an overage allowance (we recommend adding at least 10%). Most outdoor carpets cost between $0.50 and $3.50 per square foot, so you’ll pay between $80 and $550 to carpet a 12x12-foot room after factoring in a 10% overage.

Carpets labeled specifically for indoor-outdoor use typically have UV protection, high durability, stain resistance, and moisture resistance or waterproofing. Polypropylene (also known as olefin) is the most common outdoor carpet material due to its high stain and mildew resistance. However, depending on the manufacturer and your needs, you may find options in nylon, polyester, acrylic, and natural fibers like jute.

Color

A colorful 9-by-12-foot outdoor rug costs between $55 and $1,000, depending on your chosen color. Indoor-outdoor carpet comes in just about any color you can imagine. Colorful options are more popular for rugs and decorative outdoor carpets, but these cost more. Basics like navy, beige, and gray are popular for larger carpeted spaces and tend to cost less per square foot. Bright white is not as popular for outdoor rugs, as it shows dirt more easily and will likely cost you more in carpet cleaning costs.

Commercial vs. Residential

Commercial indoor-outdoor carpeting runs from $0.70 to about $3.80 per square foot and works well for commercial use. Element-resistant styles can handle more wear and tear than traditional indoor options.

Brand

Different brands of outdoor carpets vary greatly in price per square foot. Some carpet brands offer higher quality for the price, possibly cutting down on carpet repair costs in the future:

Indoor-Outdoor Carpet Pricing by Size

As with anything, the larger the carpet you need, the more you can expect to pay. Here’s what you need to know about indoor-outdoor carpet pricing per square foot, per roll, and by the tile.

Price per Square Foot

Expect to pay $0.50 to $3.50 per square foot for indoor-outdoor carpet and between $4.50 and $31.50 per square yard. Manufacturers often sell this product by the linear foot as well. They decide on the width of a roll of carpet (often six to 12 feet wide, but it varies) and allow you to select the length of the piece. The cost per linear foot depends on the width of the carpet, but it ranges from $5 to $7 or more.

Price Per Carpet Roll

The cost of a 1,200-square-foot roll of indoor-outdoor carpet ranges between $600 and $4,200. Rolls can be anywhere from six feet wide to 15 feet wide or more, and the cost is largely dependent on the size of the roll.

Outdoor Carpet Tiles

Outdoor carpet tiles average $2.25 per square foot but can cost as much as $3.50 each or more. Most manufacturers sell tiles by the case, with around 10 to 12 tiles per box. This product varies in size but ranges from about one to two square feet per section.

Rubber-Backed Outdoor Carpet

Rubber-backed outdoor carpet costs $0.70 to $3 per square foot for the materials alone. The backing increases durability, lifespan, and water resistance.

Cost of Indoor-Outdoor Carpet by Area

While everyone’s space is different, this information will give you an idea of how much you’ll pay to carpet various areas around the home.

Pros and Cons of Indoor-Outdoor Carpet

The primary benefit of an indoor-outdoor carpet is a protective cover for your outdoor surface. Wood and concrete, especially if not properly sealed, can be prone to stains from the outdoors. You can easily wipe clean most indoor-outdoor carpet, keeping the surface underneath blemish-free. Additional pros and cons include:

Pros

• Easy cleaning to keep moisture, dirt, and debris out of your home

• UV resistant to prevent fading

• Cheaper to install than most standard indoor carpets

• Adds extra color and design to your space

Cons

• No cushion underneath like standard indoor carpets

• Majority are made with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that give off a smell when first installed and may cause respiratory issues

• If in a high moisture environment, additional drainage is recommended as high amounts of moisture can still leak through to the surface below, leading to potential repairs

• Depending on where the carpet is installed, any surface without the carpet wears faster than the covered surface, resulting in an uneven look

Budgeting for Outdoor Carpet Installation

Installing outdoor carpet is a relatively low-cost project, but there are a few ways to make it even more budget-friendly:

• If possible, replace damaged sections of outdoor carpet rather than the entire thing at once. Finding a matching carpet is often easier than you might expect.

• If you’re up for manual work, consider removing old carpets yourself and only hiring a local carpet installation professional to install the new one.

• Don’t forget to buy extra carpet (at least 10%). Buying small amounts alongside a larger order is usually much more inexpensive.

• If you’re carpeting an area that doesn’t get much foot traffic, consider a more inexpensive, basic carpet option and color.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.