Thank you for your input! You are right in that we don't really NEED a rug.

My thought was with the 100 degree temp we are having now (and high temps in the Summer) as well as our choice of Brazilia color in Zuri decking, the deck boards get very warm/hot. Of course we wear shoes on the deck (haha) but the thought of a small rug was also to "soften up" the space. In reviewing your comments, it seems like jute (and others) is not the best due to moisture trapping and slippage. If I want to utilize a "throw runner" just for these hot summer months, what are your thoughts about a cotton runner? I realize it will have to be removed but our deck is small and removing it would not be a big deal. Thanks!

There ya go. And roll it up. But beware the slipping effect of THAT on a dry deck. You chose the material; I wouldn't have for 100 degree sunny days. All these claims for zero maintenance, Trex...Zuri, all of them? Have other issues. Slips and heat just two of them. If you're bound to have something on it? Consider a custom painted marine canvas, Big enough to go under the furniture which will hold it down. ......it will breathe and will survive some elements, just as it does on a boat. Stripes are easy enough. sixty inches wide, have it made to size.!

DIY: The Swedish-Striped Canvas Floorcloth

Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista.

Materials

• Heavy-duty cotton canvas. No. 10 (14 oz) Extra-Heavy Cotton Canvas is available at Blick for $17 per yard. To save time, you can also do as I did and buy pre-primed canvas, such as Blick Studio Acrylic Primed Cotton Canvas; $13.25 for one 72-inch-wide yard. (To make a three-by-seven-foot rug, I purchased three yards of Blick pre-primed canvas.)
• Acrylic
  primer or gesso (if you don’t buy a pre-primed canvas). Note: The
  leftover latex primer you have at home may work. But many are a mix of
  acrylic and vinyl; 100 percent acrylics offer more water resistance and
  stain protection. Frederix Premium Gesso is available at Blick; $16.31 per quart.
• Paint roller and tray (if applying your own primer)
• Liquid acrylic paints (color of your choice). Again you can use leftover latex paint. I used Blick Artist Acrylics in Warm Gray.
• Polycrylic Varnish. Minwax Polycrylic Varnish in Satin is available on Amazon for $18 per quart.
• Double-sided carpet tape. Roberts Indoor/Outdoor Three-Inch Double-Sided Carpet Tape Roll is available at Home Depot; $5 for 15 feet.
• Several different sized paint brushes
• Painter’s tape
• T-square and a measuring tape or yardstick
• Heavy duty scissors
• Pencil

Jan,

I can't thank you enough for your response and thinking "outside the box"! We purchased the Zuri "low maintenance" decking because we have two other wood decks that do require some maintenance. I agree with you that all of the composite/no maintenance deck options seem to require SOME sort of challenge. In my opinion, the companies who sell these decks should include some sort of reference to furniture/décor that DOES WORK in the space! Photos on their websites help but ACTUAL users of the products and not just staged photos are what really helps the customer! I LOVE your idea of the canvas and had thought for a moment about using/making a duck canvas runner. Our deck space is 5x9 but the actual size of runner I would purchase/make would be 2' 8"x 7. The thought on this length would be that the length would fit 2 chairs and a 1 ft small table as well as some extra space to utilize as a "doormat". The furniture would hold down the canvas. I realize that it does sound ridiculous to spend all this $ on a beautiful deck then cover it up! The benefit of a canvas runner is that I could easily roll it up and hopefully wash it as needed. I do like your ideas of acrylic, painting, and pre primed fabric but due to the "what not to use on Zuri deck" I am hesitant to use anything that isn't "natural". Again I *sigh*. While we spent some $$ on the Zuri deck, here I am trying to "design on a dime" and DIY what I can for the deck. I plan on ordering 2 deck chairs from Ikea, make a 1' side table, and with your suggestion, try and make a canvas runner. I appreciate your feedback and thoughts:) Side note: I noticed you are from ROC-YAY! I am originally from Webster but now live in Baltimore. My parents still reside in Webster- "Where Life is Worth Living" Thx again!

: )

Cotton runners can be rolled in a basket near the exterior door. No different than beach towels! for about 88.00 to 124.00 each have a couple. A lot easier and all come in 2 x 8 and there are a hundred more!!! to choose from

https://annieselke.com/Rugs/All-Rug-Sizes/2%27-x-3%27-Rugs/Vista-Chindi-Woven-Cotton-Rug/p/DA863

Ohh! I really like the cotton runner idea and the suggestion of keeping a small basket by the door to use as storage for a runner! Your attention to detail and everyday usability is appreciated! :) I am definitely going to look into this! Thx again!