How to Choose the Best Entrance Matting Material

Choosing the right entrance mat is more than an aesthetic decision; it's a crucial investment in safety, cleanliness, and floor protection. An effective matting system traps dirt and moisture at the door, preventing slips and falls, reducing cleaning costs, and extending the life of your interior flooring. This guide will walk you through the key considerations for selecting the perfect matting for your needs.

Key Factors to Consider

Before diving into materials, assess the specific demands of your entrance area.

• Foot Traffic: How many people walk through the entrance daily? High-traffic areas like schools, shopping centres, or busy offices require heavy-duty, durable mats. A low-traffic entrance may not need such a robust solution.

• Location (Indoor vs. Outdoor):

  • Outdoor Mats: These are your first line of defence. They need to be weather-resistant (withstanding rain, snow, and UV rays) and have an aggressive scraping surface to remove coarse dirt, mud, and grit.

  • Indoor Mats: These mats are designed to remove finer dust particles and absorb moisture that the outdoor mat missed.

• Safety & Accessibility: The mat should have a non-slip backing (like rubber or vinyl) to stay securely in place. For areas with wheelchairs, carts, or pushchairs, ensure the mat has bevelled edges and a pile that does not impede movement.

• Door Clearance: Check the space between the bottom of the door and the floor. A mat that is too thick will prevent the door from opening and closing properly.

Understanding Matting Materials

The material is the most important factor in a mat's performance. Different materials offer unique benefits.

• Rubber:

  • Pros: Highly durable, excellent slip resistance, and weather-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor use in high-traffic areas. Open-hole designs are effective dirt-scrapers, allowing debris to fall through.

  • Cons: Can be heavy and may lack the aesthetic appeal of fabric mats for indoor use.

• Nylon:

  • Pros: Considered a premium material, nylon is extremely durable, crush-resistant, and excellent at both absorbing moisture and trapping fine dirt. It's also quick-drying and fade-resistant, making it perfect for heavy-duty indoor applications.

  • Cons: Often comes at a higher price point.

• Polypropylene:

  • Pros: A popular and durable synthetic fibre with a coarse texture that provides an excellent scraping action, particularly for dry dust. It is resistant to stains and fading.

  • Cons: Less effective at absorbing moisture compared to nylon or cotton.

• Coir (Coconut Fibre):

  • Pros: A traditional and eco-friendly option with a rough texture that is very effective for scraping dirt.

  • Cons: Sheds fibres and is highly absorbent. If used outdoors, it must have a woven backing to allow water to drain, as a solid backing will trap moisture and cause the mat to degrade. Not suitable for wheelchair access.

• Microfiber:

  • Pros: Made from extremely fine synthetic fibres, it's exceptionally absorbent and dries much faster than cotton. It creates a static charge that attracts and holds onto dirt particles.

  • Cons: May not be as crush-resistant as nylon for very high-traffic commercial use.

• Cotton:

  • Pros: Excellent at absorbing and holding moisture, making it a great choice for drying shoes in indoor domestic settings. Often machine washable.

  • Cons: Not very effective at scraping dry dust and the pile has a tendency to flatten over time (though washing can restore it).

The Zonal Matting System

For maximum effectiveness, especially in commercial or public buildings, using a multi-zone system is the best approach.

• Zone 1: Exterior Scraper Matting: The primary outdoor mat. This should be a robust scraper mat, typically made of rubber, designed to remove the heaviest dirt and debris.

• Zone 2: Intermediate Scraper/Wiper Matting: This mat is placed just inside the door. It continues to scrape off dirt while also beginning to absorb moisture. A combination of scraping fibres (like polypropylene) and absorbent fibres works well here.

• Zone 3: Interior Wiper Matting: The final mat inside the building. Its main purpose is to absorb any remaining moisture and trap the finest dust particles. Nylon, cotton, or microfiber mats are ideal for this zone.

Sizing and Maintenance

• Size: The bigger the mat, the better. A larger mat ensures more foot contact, which means more dirt and moisture is removed from shoes. A good rule of thumb is that the mat should be wide enough to cover at least 80% of the doorway's width and long enough to allow for at least two steps (one with each foot).

• Maintenance: Regular cleaning is essential for any mat to perform effectively. A mat clogged with dirt and water cannot trap any more. Vacuum fabric mats regularly and hose down rubber mats. Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your common questions about entrance matting answered.