FIRSTMATS Blog

Problem Ryan, part of the data centre team at nLighten UK, was looking for an effective solution to control dust and fine particles...

Problem Laura, the Facilities Manager at Park Dean Resorts, was overseeing a swimming pool refurbishment at one of their sites. A key priority...

Problem Anthony from Travelodge needed a new branded entrance mat for the hotel’s main reception area. Previously, Travelodge had used a rental mat...

Problem Raz from Amazon Warehouse contacted us because their existing matting in the busy picking and packing bays was deteriorating...

Problem Peter, who manages maintenance at Glenshee Sports Centre, needed to replace the ageing rubber matting used around the ski lift areas. The...

Problem Andy from A’s Nursery and Softplay Centre wanted to improve the appearance of the nursery’s entrance while reinforcing their branding. Off-the-shelf mats...

Problem Julie, Facilities Manager at Barfield Prep School, faced ongoing issues with water continually building up and ruining the carpet in the school...

Problem Scott from Midlands Flooring was tasked by a local council to install new barrier matting in an over-50s housing unit. The communal...

Problem Jarred, Site Safety Manager at A.M.T Construction, was responsible for preparing a new construction site proposal. Historically the company relied on matting...

Problem Nick from Portakabin was overseeing the installation of site cabins being used as temporary classrooms on a new school...

Problem In the waiting area of Hogg MOT, the flooring was becoming soaked and dirt built up quickly due to high foot traffic...

Problem Dick needed to cover a bespoke space in his personal garage so he could place a Peloton exercise bike there whilst protecting...

Problem Emily Allman from Glastonbury Festivals reached out to First Mats with an urgent requirement for several Double IBC Bund Pallets with Removable...

Problem At Revolution Milling, workshop safety and staff comfort are top priorities, especially in high-use areas like those around the CNC machines. Machine...

Problem Mark noticed an ongoing issue at the main entrance to Profile Developments’ office. With a high volume of daily foot traffic, especially...

Problem Darren, from Golden Sands Holiday Park, reached out following a refurbishment of the site's swimming pool and changing room facilities. Although non-slip...

Problem Gareth, representing Northern Industrial Battery Services Ltd, faced a complex challenge during their company relocation. He required a reliable...

Problem Broccoli Cafe, a stylish establishment in London, sought to enhance its main entrance with a mat that not only fit the unique...

The Challenge Metro Plumb, a prominent plumbing services provider, sought to enhance its brand visibility and improve the working conditions of its plumbing team using

Problem John, the Site Facilities Manager at St George’s School, faced ongoing challenges with dirt and debris being consistently tracked...

Problem When Christine was tasked with refurbishing Prestbury Bowling Club, her primary goal was maintaining a safe, welcoming environment, especially...

Mission-critical flooring for ground operations: reducing FOD risk, slip incidents, fire exposure, and static damage A hangar floor isn’t “just a floor.” It’s a working surface where small failures can...

Nursery life is active, creative, and inevitably messy. Outdoor play, free-flow movement, art activities, and frequent parent drop-offs all mean moisture, dirt, and spillages are part of everyday life, particularly...

Why matting is a contamination control system—not a decorative afterthought Executive...

Why ground-level controls are a critical safety system, not an afterthought Ground conditions are one of the most underestimated risk factors on demolition sites. From heavy plant movements to dust...

Data centres have very different requirements from most working environments when it comes to floor mats. While entrance mats are typically designed to scrape off dirt and absorb moisture, server...

Packing stations are often the heartbeat of goods-out. If your team is picking, checking, boxing, labelling, and getting orders ready for collection, they’re likely spending long periods on hard floors,...

Schools, colleges, universities, and academies all have one thing in common: high footfall. From pupils rushing between lessons to staff, visitors, and parents coming and going throughout the day, education...

Retail entrances work harder than almost any other area of a building. Every customer that walks through the door brings moisture, dirt, grit, and debris with them, all of which...

If you run a campsite or holiday park, you already know the pattern: one wet weekend and suddenly the reception floor is gritty, the route to the wash block is...

Contents The DDA and accessibility duties Why there’s no such thing as “certified DDA-compliant” matting The legal frameworks that affect matting choices What...

Stock rooms and store rooms are often busy, functional spaces that support the smooth running of retail, hospitality, food service and commercial environments. While they may not be customer-facing, these...

Farmhouses are some of the most characterful and welcoming homes in the UK, offering warmth, charm, and a strong connection to the outdoors. However, they also face flooring challenges that...

Housing associations, HMO landlords, and property managers are responsible for shared spaces that see constant daily use. Communal entrances, corridors, stairwells, and facilities experience high foot traffic, frequent cleaning, and...

Leisure centres are busy, mixed-use environments where safety, hygiene, and visitor experience all intersect. From wet poolside areas and changing rooms to gyms, studios, and entrance lobbies, floors are under...

Building work rarely stays in one condition for long. The same job can involve muddy outdoor access, unfinished interiors, newly fitted floors, and areas where dust and debris must be...

Waste management and recycling centres operate in some of the most demanding working environments. High foot traffic, constant exposure to liquids and debris, and contact with oils, chemicals, and other...

A staff break room is more than just a place to grab a quick coffee. It is a vital welfare space where employees unwind, reset, and return to work feeling...

Property developers have very different requirements from homeowners when it comes to floor mats. Development sites must cope with heavy footwear, unfinished surfaces, frequent trades access, and sales visitors, often...

Keeping a site cabin clean may not be the first thing on a busy site manager’s checklist, but it plays a major role in maintaining a safe, organised, and compliant...

Selecting suitable equipment for chemical storage and spill control depends on verified material compatibility. This guide summarises how common substances interact with PVC with a protective proofing layer (PES/PVC), enabling...

Learning environments are evolving to meet the needs of students who think, move, and learn differently. Colourful classroom spaces that combine thoughtful design with vibrant visual elements are more than...