Which office mats should I use for hard floors?

Choosing the right office mats doesn't need to be a complicated experience. You have an issue with the hard floors in your office and you have identified that mats may be the solution. With so many different types of mats out there, you want to ensure you make the correct purchasing decision first time around, right? Great, then read on!

In this blog we cover the following problems with hard floors that office mats can solve:

• Your current mats are moving
• Your floors are getting damaged
• Your floors are slippery or dirty
• Workers are complaining their feet are aching

We'll cover these points in turn and recommend a solution for each.

 

Problem 1: My existing office mats are moving on my hard floors

We are frequently asked if we sell nonslip mats because people are fed up with their mats not staying put on their hardwood floors. Not only is this an inconvenience; you constantly have to move the mats back to where they should be, it is also a safety issue. Mats which move are more likely to cause slips and falls in the workplace.

We suggest you choose office mats with a non-slip rubber backing. More often than not, the people who contact us with this problem have vinyl backed mats. Try to avoid PVC / Vinyl backed mats as these have less grip to them and are therefore more liable to move around. At Mats4U we sell office mats with a rubber backing designed especially for use on hard floors. These mats come with a flat rubber backing which has more surface contact with the floor and so grips better.

If you have a mixture of carpeted and hard floors, we also sell mats with a rubber backing designed for use on carpets too. This 'claw' rubber back will hook into your carpets which also helps prevent them from moving.

Very occasionally our customers require mats with even more grip. They may have an extremely polished floor with very high footfall over the mat and over time the mat moves. There are special underlays which can be added to the mat which help in such circumstances. At Mats4U we sell Teebaud Non Skid Mat Underlay to remedy this issue. This is a good solution for those who have already purchased the wrong type of mats from elsewhere and need to stop them from moving.

In areas of high foot fall around the office you are likely to see your hard floors becoming scuffed and worn. This can lead to an ugly ‘worn path’ appearance around the office. This tends to occur around areas such as the entrances and exits to the office, beneath chairs and around frequently used items such as the photo copier, shredder and water cooler for example.

The solution here is to ensure you have good entrance matting by the entrance and exit to your office. This will help stop dirt, such as sand and grit, coming through the doors and damaging your floors as people traipse it through your office.

Chair mats are a good investment to prevent chair wheels or legs damaging your hard floors. Chair legs are often scraped over hard floors, leaving scratches and indentations. Caster wheels on chairs are normally more forgiving, but over time will also wear away at your hard floors. Chair mats provide a protective layer between the chair and the floor.

You can also place small office mats by your frequently used items. A small mat where the user of the machine stands whilst photocopying for instance will protect your hardwood floors from wear. If you have a water butt or vending machines in your office, then you should have office mats in place to contain any spillages.

 

Problem 3: My floors are slippery or dirty

Another common problem with hard floors, slippery floors are an obvious health and safety issue. This is most likely the result of a floor either not being treated with the right polish, or due to water and dirt being tracked in from outside on people's shoes.

The latter problem can be solved by using good entrance mats, which will ensure that any dirt and moisture is wiped from people's footwear as they walk over the mat.

If water or other liquids are coming from other sources, such as a wash basin in the office, then you can place mats in these areas to contain the spillage and stop it from being tracked around the office.

 

Problem 4: My employees who have to stand are complaining of tired feet

With the advent of standing desks in offices nowadays, the problem of aching feet is becoming increasingly popular. More people find themselves standing for longer periods and realise that hard floors can be unforgiving.

There are special mats called anti fatigue mats which can help with this issue. Anyone who has to stand for long periods of time in the same place whilst working will benefit from these cushioned mats. They encourage subtle movement and enhance blood flow which helps reduce fatigue. Several scientific studies have pointed to the benefits of anti-fatigue mats to not only the user, but also to the employer who gets more productivity from their workers and a happier work force. A less fatigued worker, both mentally and physically, will more productive.

At Mats4U we have a range of Standing Desk Mats which can be used in the office to improve the comfort of your workers.

Whatever floor type you have in your office, there are mats which can help overcome many of the issues you're faced with. If you would like more information on how office mats can help you, please contact us today and we'll be more than happy to advise. For your peace of mind, we offer an unrivalled 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. So you can be sure that the mats you purchase from us are going to do the job you require.

Call today on 0121 313 6748 or click the Live Chat button on our website during normal UK office hours to get advice right away.