Can Coir Mats Go Outdoors? Coir vs Rubber vs Synthetic for UK Entrances

Coir scrapes well, looks natural and can be cut to fit almost any doorway. But one question comes up again and again from facilities managers, schools, shops and hotels: can coir mats go outdoors? The short answer: only under cover. Coir works best indoors, in a mat well, or outside under a porch or canopy where it stays out of direct rain. A door that takes the full force of the British weather needs a rubber or synthetic outdoor mat, with coir doing the finishing work just inside.

Below we compare coir vs rubber vs synthetic entrance mats and give you simple tables for choosing the right mat and coir format.

Quick Answer: Can Coir Mats Be Used Outside?
Coir and Water: Waterproof, Wet or Absorbent?
Covered vs Exposed Entrances
Coir vs Rubber vs Synthetic Entrance Mats
Which Mat for Your Entrance? (Table)
Which Coir Format? Sizes, Depths and Door Clearance
Shedding and the Brush Mat Alternative
Coir Logo Mats for Business Entrances
One Care Tip for Coir in Wet Weather
Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answer: Can Coir Mats Be Used Outside?

Coir can be used at the threshold of a building, but where you put it matters:

Indoors and in mat wells: this is where coir is at its best. Our 17mm Heavy-Duty Coir Matting – Custom Cut to Size is designed for indoor use or covered outdoor areas, and its 17mm depth fits many standard mat wells.
Covered outdoor areas only: outside, coir must be under cover, such as a porch, canopy or recessed entrance, so it is not in direct rain and can dry out between wet spells.
Exposed doorways: we do not recommend coir anywhere it will sit in direct rain. Choose a purpose-designed rubber or synthetic outdoor mat instead and keep coir inside the door.

Coir and Water: Waterproof, Wet or Absorbent?

Are coir mats waterproof?

No. Coir is a natural fibre from coconut husks, and part of its job is to take moisture off shoes. It is a good wiping surface, not a waterproof one.

Can coir mats get wet?

Yes. Coir copes with damp footwear; the problem is a mat that stays wet. It suits entrances that get wet shoes, not standing water.

Does the PVC backing matter?

Mats4U coir roll matting, such as Supercoir Heavy Duty Coir Coconut Roll Matting, has a PVC backing. It keeps the matting in place and stops absorbed water reaching the floor below. Outdoors, though, it means rainwater cannot drain through, so the fibres stay wet for longer.

Close-up of natural coir matting with the PVC backing turned back at the corner

Covered vs Exposed Entrances

Before choosing a material, ask three questions:

Does rain land on the mat? A canopy, porch or deep recess changes everything for coir.
Is there a mat well? Coir is a natural choice for recessed mat wells because it is available in several depths and can be cut to size. See our Supercoir 17mm vs 23mm comparison if you are choosing between the two most common thicknesses.
Who and what crosses the mat? Busy pedestrian traffic, trolleys, buggies and wheelchair users all affect the choice. Any mat in a well should sit flush with the surrounding floor, which is why fitting matters as much as material (see installing coir matting into a well or recess). We do not suggest coir on wheelchair routes; a low-profile Mats4U Brush Mat or a Waterhog is the better choice.

Many commercial sites get the best result from a two-stage entrance: a tough outdoor scraper mat outside to take off mud and grit, then an indoor mat to finish the job. For general guidance on keeping entrances safe, see the HSE's advice on preventing slips and trips at work.

Coir vs Rubber vs Synthetic Entrance Mats

Coir

Coir's coarse, natural fibres are excellent at scraping dirt and debris from footwear, and they give an entrance a traditional, welcoming look. Mats4U coir comes in several depths and formats, from ready-sized mats to rolls and made-to-measure pieces (see the format table below), and you can browse the full coir mats collection.

Best for: indoor entrances, mat wells, receptions and covered porches out of direct rain. Not suggested for wheelchair routes.

Rubber

Rubber mats are built to live outside. The Fingertip Rubber Outdoor Mat uses flexible rubber modules to brush off mud and suits outdoor use. Superscrape Non Slip Rubber Mats have raised nitrile rubber nubs to scrape footwear and a lower level that holds the dirt.

Best for: exposed doorways, muddy sites and the first stage of a two-stage entrance.

Synthetic

The Doortex® Twistermat Outdoor Entrance Mat is a UV-resistant coiled PVC mat with no backing, so water drains straight through. Brush Hog Heavy Duty Outdoor Entrance Matting has a nylon scraper face on a rubber back that resists splitting, cracking and curling. For busy entrances where moisture control is the priority, the Waterhog Classic has a bi-level surface that can hold up to 6.5 litres of water per square metre.

Best for: wet, high-footfall entrances and doorways with no cover.

Fingertip rubber outdoor mat at a commercial entrance on block paving

Which Mat for Your Entrance?

Use this as a starting point, or call our team for advice.

Entrance situation	Recommended Mats4U option	Why
Indoor mat well or recess	Custom-cut coir or coir roll matting in the depth of your well	Cut to fit, available in several depths, sits flush with the floor
Covered porch or canopy, loose-lay	17mm coir cut to size, which suits both recessed and loose-laid entrances	Protected from direct rain, so coir can dry between wet spells
Exposed doorway in direct rain	Fingertip, Superscrape or Twistermat Outdoor	Made for outdoor use, with drainage or a scraping rubber surface
High footfall, muddy or wet	Brush Hog outside, then a Waterhog inside	A two-stage entrance scrapes first, then dries and traps what is left. Our Supercoir roll matting is recommended for light to medium traffic
Wheelchair route, trolley or buggy access	The low-profile Mats4U Brush Mat (9mm) or a Waterhog. Coir is not suggested	Coir's deep pile can make wheels harder to push; low-profile mats are easier to roll over
Branded business entrance	Coir logo mat inside or under cover	Natural coir with your logo inlaid, not printed

For more on accessible entrances, see which mats are wheelchair friendly.

Which Coir Format? Sizes, Depths and Door Clearance

Once you know coir suits the entrance, choose the format.

Format	Depth	Sizes	Best for
Ready-sized natural coir mats: 23mm or 30mm	23mm or 30mm	100 x 120cm (23mm); 80 x 192cm (30mm)	Standard doorways that match a stock size
Premium coloured coir, 17mm cut-to-length (e.g. black, mid grey, dark brown)	17mm	Up to 200cm wide, cut to your length	Entrances where colour matters
Supercoir roll matting: 14mm, 17mm, 23mm, 30mm	14, 17, 23 or 30mm	100cm or 200cm wide; lengths from 60cm to 1200cm	Trim-to-fit mat wells and larger entrances
Made to measure: 17mm custom cut or custom heavy duty	17mm; or 14, 23 or 30mm	17mm: up to 200 x 1200cm, cut to your dimensions	Exact-fit wells, odd sizes, no cutting on site
Coir logo mat	17mm	Made to measure up to 2m x 20m	Branded business entrances

Door clearance and finished height

Depth includes the backing. The stated depth is the finished height of the mat, so match it to the depth of your mat well (see which depth of coir to choose).
Aim for flush. The top of the mat should sit as close as possible to the surrounding floor without sitting proud. If the well is much deeper than the mat, use a suitable infill underneath.
Check the door. Before ordering, make sure the door can still open and close freely over the mat.

Shedding and the Brush Mat Alternative

Natural coir sheds some fibres, especially when new. For coir-style scraping without the shedding, our Colour Brush Mat is a synthetic alternative to coir with a non-slip rubber backing. For a low-profile indoor option, the Mats4U Brush Mat is 9mm thick and wheelchair- and cart-friendly.

Brown Colour Brush Mat inside a doorway as a synthetic alternative to coir

Coir Logo Mats for Business Entrances

For hotels, golf clubs, restaurants and offices, a coir logo mat combines a natural entrance with your branding. Mats4U coir logo mats are made from natural coconut fibre at 17mm depth, with your logo, message or design inlaid into the coir using a cut-and-inlay method, rather than printed on. Colours include natural, black, brown, green, grey, red, rust and blue. We provide free artwork with no obligation to order.

The same placement rule applies: use a coir logo mat indoors, in a mat well or under a porch or canopy, out of direct rain. If you are ordering for a well or recess, add 5% to the width and length so the mat can be cut to fit accurately. If your logo mat needs to sit in the open, ask us about rubber logo mats instead. To compare coir with other custom options, read Coir Logo Mat vs Berber Logo Mat and Coir vs Colour Brush vs Titan Entry logo mats.

One Care Tip for Coir in Wet Weather

If a coir mat gets soaked, lift it and let it dry fully before putting it back, rather than leaving it to sit wet. For routine cleaning of coir and every other mat type, see our guide on how to clean an entrance mat or the Complete Guide to Coir Mat Maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can coir mats be used outside?

Only under cover. Outside, coir should sit under a porch, canopy or recessed entrance so it is not in direct rain. For a doorway exposed to rain, choose a rubber or synthetic outdoor mat instead.