Mats to Stop Snow at the Door: A Complete Guide for Winter Weather
Snowfall is undeniably beautiful, adding a magical touch to landscapes, especially around the holiday season. However, as lovely as snow is, it can be a hazard when it finds its way into buildings, creating slippery floors and increasing the risk of accidents. Although you can’t stop the snow from falling, you can take steps to prevent it from being tracked inside. Using high-quality mats to stop snow at entryways is a crucial step in maintaining safe and clean floors.
Many businesses and public areas will apply sand or grit outside to reduce slipping hazards on snowy days. While this helps, it doesn’t solve the problem of snow being carried indoors on visitors’ shoes. That’s where carefully chosen mats come in as the first line of defence. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what you should look for when choosing the right mats to stop snow at your entrances.
Outdoor Mats to Stop Snow
Outdoor mats are the first barrier against snow entering your building. They help scrape off the snow, grit, and salt from shoes before guests even step inside. Here’s what to look for when choosing outdoor mats to stop snow:
1. A Mat Made of Durable Rubber
Outdoor mats for snow need to endure harsh weather, which means they must be made from resilient materials. Rubber is a top choice for mats to stop snow as it withstands extreme cold without cracking or becoming brittle. Cheaper materials like PVC or vinyl may be tempting, but they are prone to splitting in low temperatures, leading to early replacement costs. Rubber mats are both durable and effective in preventing snow build up and providing grip underfoot.
2. A Mat with Drainage Holes
Snow that merely sits on top of a mat won’t help with traction or safety. Mats designed to stop snow effectively have drainage holes, which allow melting snow to escape, preventing water from pooling on the surface. This feature also helps the mat maintain a grippy surface, reducing the likelihood of slips.
3. A Mat That Scrapes Effectively
An essential characteristic of a good outdoor mat is its scraping ability. Mats to stop snow need to remove snow, salt, and grit effectively from footwear as people walk over them. This not only helps to prevent snow from being tracked indoors but also prevents salt and grit from damaging floors.
Indoor Mats to Stop Snow
Even the best outdoor mat won’t capture every bit of snow on extremely snowy days, so indoor mats play an essential backup role. Placing high-quality indoor mats to stop snow just inside the door adds an extra layer of protection, helping to dry shoes and prevent slippery floors. Here are the features to look for in indoor mats:
1. Bi-Level Construction
With snow inevitably making its way into the building, a bi-level construction is vital for indoor mats. This design allows snow and moisture to fall to the lower level, preventing wetness from sitting on top and getting tracked further inside. Bi-level mats help to keep floors cleaner, drier, and safer.
2. Fast-Drying Material
Once snow reaches indoor mats, it will start to melt. Fast-drying materials, like polypropylene or nylon, help mats to absorb moisture without becoming soggy or slippery. This ensures that the top layer remains dry for the next person walking in. These mats are highly effective at stopping snow from causing slippery conditions indoors, maintaining safety and cleanliness.
3. Scraping and Wiping Abilities
While outdoor mats do the bulk of the scraping, indoor mats should finish the job by removing any remaining snow, grit, or salt from shoes. Additionally, indoor mats need to have a wiping capability to absorb remaining moisture, helping to dry the soles and prevent wet footprints throughout your building. Mats that combine both scraping and wiping are the most effective choice for this purpose.
Choosing the Best Mats to Stop Snow
Now that we’ve covered the key features of both outdoor and indoor mats to stop snow, here are some additional considerations that will help you make the right choice for your space:
1. Size and Coverage
For mats to be effective at stopping snow, they need to cover enough area for people to walk across and remove snow from their shoes fully. Ideally, outdoor mats should be long enough for each foot to make contact multiple times, providing adequate scraping time. Similarly, indoor mats should offer enough length and width to allow people to fully wipe their shoes.
2. Placement
Proper placement of mats to stop snow is also essential. Outdoor mats should be positioned right at the entrance where guests first step, allowing them to remove as much snow and grit as possible. Indoor mats should be directly inside the door, allowing visitors to continue wiping their feet and drying their shoes before fully entering the space.
3. Maintenance
Maintaining mats is essential for their performance and longevity. Regularly cleaning outdoor mats helps prevent snow and grit build up that can reduce their effectiveness. Indoor mats, on the other hand, need frequent washing to remove moisture and dirt, ensuring they remain absorbent and clean.
Benefits of Using Mats to Stop Snow at Entrances
Investing in high-quality mats to stop snow provides numerous benefits for any business, public space, or even residential building:
- Enhanced Safety: By reducing wet and slippery floors, you lower the risk of slip-and-fall accidents, which is especially important in high-traffic areas.
- Improved Cleanliness: Mats designed to stop snow prevent dirt, grit, and moisture from spreading through your building, making cleaning easier and keeping your floors in better condition.
- Cost Savings: Protecting your floors from salt and water damage with mats to stop snow can help avoid costly repairs and premature wear.
- Better Indoor Environment: By keeping snow and moisture contained at the entrance, you help maintain a drier, warmer indoor environment that’s more comfortable for guests and employees alike.
Mat Entrance System
In order to combat snow, we recommend a 3 mat entrance system:
An outdoor scraper mat with holes
An Indoor Bi-Level Scraper/Wiper Mat
A Finishing Mat for Drying
Final Thoughts
In snowy regions, it’s essential to be prepared with the right mats to stop snow from being tracked indoors. Both outdoor and indoor mats play a crucial role in this effort, each with specific features to enhance safety and cleanliness. Rubber mats with drainage holes and effective scraping abilities serve as the first defense outside, while bi-level, fast-drying mats inside handle any remaining moisture and dirt.
By choosing the right mats to stop snow, you create a safer, cleaner, and more inviting space, even in the harshest winter weather. Whether it’s for a business, public venue, or home, quality mats at the door make a significant difference during the snow season.
Contact Mats4U
We've listed above all of the factors to consider when choosing mats to combat snow, and have even given some mat suggestions from our website. If you require further help, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0121 313 6747 or sales@mats4u.co.uk and we will be more than happy to advise you.
