How to Choose the Best Entrance Mats for Your Business

How to Choose the Best Entrance Mats for Your Business

Entrance mats are among the first things people notice when entering a room. They can give a great impression by making the space appear clean, professional, and welcoming (especially on wet and rainy days!).

Because an entrance mat is the first point of contact between a customer and a business, it is essential that you choose the right one for your space. A new entrance mat may keep your floor clean for a while, but, depending on how heavy footfall is, you may find that it tends to wear out quite quickly. Choosing a premium and high-quality option can save you from replacing it every few months – which is always a budget benefit.

That is why we have put together this comprehensive guide for you to follow, so you can be fully informed of which type of matting and flooring is the most suitable for your workplace.

The key factors that make an effective entrance mat

• Provide a safe walking surface: The mat's surface should be non-slip, even when wet, to allow for a strong grip with footwear and to make walking across it comfortable and safe.
• Prevent floors from becoming dirty: The entrance mat should be able to scrape off dirt as a person walks across to help keep your floors clean.
• Soak up excess water: Your mat needs to soak up water from footwear. This will help to keep your floors dry and prevent potential slip hazards.
• Look great: Of course, you need your entrance mat to look amazing and fit your business’ interior décor and overall aesthetic.

Where are you going to use your entrance mat?

Knowing exactly where you are going to place your entrance mat is a crucial factor when deciding which one is best. Indoor matting greatly differs from outdoor matting in terms of material and thickness, and therefore the environment in which you want to place your entrance mat will determine the type you should buy.

Outdoor Mats

If you are looking for an outdoor mat, you must ensure it is resistant to all weather types, including snow, ice, and wind. That is why it is so important to choose one that is drainable and allows water to flow away from the mat's surface. If your outdoor mat is incapable of this, your customers and visitors will find themselves stepping on a big, wet sponge before entering your premises.

It is also the first line of protection for your space, so having one that can remove heavy dirt, mud, sand, and grit is vital. Our DoorGuard Large Outdoor Rubber Door Mat is the perfect example of an excellent outdoor mat, as its honeycomb pattern traps dirt and stones to keep your floors fresh and squeaky clean.

Indoor Mats

This is your main (and possibly only) mat, so it really needs to live up to expectations. The right indoor mat will do all the work: stop dirt and water from getting in, decrease slip and fall risks, and look good doing so.

For the best performance, choose thicker mats with rubber or vinyl backings, as these will last longer and have great anti-slip properties. Commercial Entrance Mats are a great option for businesses and schools, as they are designed for more foot traffic. Thinner mats are a great option where door clearance is limited.

Which material should I choose for my entrance mat?

There are a wide variety of different materials and surfaces to choose from when it comes to matting, including:

• Coir – This is a more traditional type of material made from coconut husks. Its durable construction makes it a great option for high-traffic and public areas such as clubs, pubs, offices, and restaurants.
• Rubber – Rubber matting is available in several designs, including honeycomb and ribbed. It is ideal for heavy-duty use as the strong construction provides excellent crush and soil resistance.
• Microfiber – This material is very absorbent and lightweight, which means you can transport the mat from place to place more easily. Microfiber is very absorbent, yet also dries very quickly, ready to be used again in an instant.
• Ribbed Barrier Matting – perfect for use in heavy-duty entrance areas, ribbed matting is attractive, durable and the ideal choice in large spaces such as airport floors. Most mats made from this material are also UV-resistant and flame-retardant.

What size mat do I need?

That greatly comes down to personal choice, but the rule of thumb is that the bigger your entrance mats, the better! This is because your feet need to be in contact with the mat for it to work, so the more times you can step on a mat, the more dirt it will remove.

We recommend that the width should be equal to or greater than 80 percent of the width of your front door. In terms of length, ideally, you want each person to take to two steps (one step on each foot) on the mat to dry and clean their shoes as much as possible.

Here at First Mats, our entrance matting is available in sizes from 60cm x 90cm (ideal for domestic doorways), up to 115cm x 180cm for large commercial entrances; plus a range of extra-long runners and made-to-measure door mats where you can choose the size you need.

We hope you have found this guide useful in helping you decide which entrance mat is best for your business. You can browse our range of Entrance Mats for more.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly and knowledgeable team, who would be more than happy to help