Buying Guides
What to Check Before Buying a Custom Size Mat
Measuring for a custom size mat sounds simple until you find the opening is not square, the door has limited clearance, or the mat type needs a fitting allowance. This guide explains the checks to make before you order so you can avoid common sizing mistakes. The key point is that not all custom mats follow the same sizing rule. Some mat types are ordered slightly oversized and trimmed to fit, while others may have a manufacturing variance that you need to allow for instead.
Ordering a custom size mat can still go wrong if you measure only once or assume every mat is made to fit in the same way. The safest approach is to start with accurate measurements, then check how that specific mat type should be ordered.
This matters most in matwells, porches, recessed doorways and older properties, where openings are often uneven. A mat that looks right on paper can still be awkward to fit if the recess narrows slightly, the corners are not square, or the mat construction is not suitable for trimming.
Start by measuring the opening properly
Measure the full length and width with a tape measure, and take your time. Do not rely on rough figures, old plans or a previous mat size. If the mat is going into a recess or matwell, measure the space itself rather than the old mat.
Take measurements at multiple points across both directions. For example, check the width at the front, middle and back, and check the length on both sides and through the centre if needed. This helps you spot areas where the opening tightens or runs out of square.
If the recess or porch is uneven, ask the supplier how they want you to order for that mat type before you buy. In many cases, the smallest reliable measurement is the one that matters most for a neat fit, but some mats are intentionally ordered larger so they can be trimmed on site. This is why one sizing rule does not suit every custom mat.
Check corners and straightness
Look at the shape of the opening as well as the numbers. Older entrances often have corners that are slightly off, bowed edges, or walls that are not truly parallel. If you only measure one point, you can miss a gap or a pinch point that affects the finished fit.
Check door clearance at the same time
A mat can be the right length and width and still be wrong for the space if it is too deep for the recess or catches the door. Before ordering, check the available depth and make sure the door swings freely over the finished mat.
Floor recesses and other spaces often aren't truly "square", so measure carefully and in several places to find the biggest width and length dimensions.
Know whether the mat should be trimmed or ordered to finished size
Custom size can mean different things depending on the construction. Some mats are suited to oversizing and trimming. Others should be ordered with awareness that the finished size may vary slightly after manufacture. Always check which approach applies before you place the order.
Coir and carpet-style barrier matting
Coir and some carpet or barrier matting used in matwells, porches or wall-to-wall areas should be ordered with extra material for trimming. This can help when the opening is not perfectly square, because the fitter can work to the actual space rather than forcing the mat into an exact rectangle.
Current guidance to verify is that coir or coconut matting and carpet-style matting may need at least 5cm extra before trimming where the mat is being fitted into a recess or across an uneven opening. Treat that as product-specific fitting guidance, not a universal rule. Check the exact range before ordering, and do not assume every textile-style mat can or should be cut back in the same way.
For coir and other matwell or wall-to-wall fitting, order at least 5cm more matting than you need to allow for trimming and variances in the shape of the available space.
17mm Coir Coconut Matting is the sort of product where buyers often need to think about trimming allowance rather than ordering only the visible opening size.
17mm Premium Coir Coconut Matting - Cut to Size
The 17mm Premium Coir Coconut Matting is the gold standard for natural entrance matting. Crafted from 100% natural coconut husk fibres on a tough PVC backing, it combines rustic charm…
- Custom-Fit Matting: Cut to length for a precise fit.
- Highly Durable: Made from tough, 100% natural coconut husk fibres.
- Strong PVC Backing: Securely fits into mat-wells, preventing movement.
- Superior Absorbency: Highly rated for moisture retention, keeping floors dry.
From £150.60 + VAT
Entra Nib Heavy Duty Barrier Matting is another example where fitting method matters as much as the raw measurements, especially in recessed or wall-to-wall areas.
EntraNib Heavy-Duty Borderless Barrier Matting
The EntraNib Heavy-Duty Borderless Barrier Matting is designed for high-traffic commercial entrances, corridors, and mat wells where safety, cleanliness, and a seamless finish are essential. With a robust nibbed pile…
- Heavy-Duty Material: Made from solution-dyed polypropylene for durability.
- Effective Moisture Control: Absorption rated 4/5 for retaining water.
- High Soil Resistance: Rated 4/5 for trapping dirt and debris.
- Safety Features: Flame retardant, UV resistant, and slip-resistant.
From £91.81 + VAT
Rubber-bordered and logo mats
Rubber-bordered custom mats, including logo mats, need a different check. These are not usually treated as trim-to-fit in the same way as coir or plain cut matting. Instead, you should check whether the supplier states a possible manufacturing variance and decide whether that matters for your space.
The guidance supplied for this article is that a variation of around 3% can be possible due to heat-related shrinkage during manufacture. It may not happen, but it is worth checking before you order if the mat needs to sit tightly within a recess or up against fixed edges. For loose-lay use on an open floor, this is usually less critical.
Premier Plush Custom Size Door Mat is a good example of a made-to-order mat where you should check finished-size guidance rather than assume it will be trimmed to suit the opening after delivery.
For rubber bordered mats, the size can vary by up to 3% due to shrinkage during the manufacturing process.
Premier-Plush Made to Measure Door Mat
The Premier-Plush Made to Measure Door Mat is the ideal choice for anyone who needs a mat tailored to their exact space. With widths from 50cm to 150cm and lengths…
- Custom Size Options: Available in widths from 50cm to 150cm and lengths from 100cm to 550cm.
- Superior Absorption: Traps moisture and dirt to keep entrances clean.
- Durable & Long-Lasting: Heavy-duty construction withstands high foot traffic.
- Non-Slip Backing: Smooth for hard floors, claw for carpets.
From £0.83 + VAT
If you are ordering a branded entrance mat, the same point applies. Measure carefully, then confirm any stated size tolerance before you commit, especially if the mat is intended for a snug internal entrance area.
Premium Indoor Logo Mats should be checked this way before ordering for a tight space.
Logo Mats - Premium Custom Floor Mats
- Custom Branding: Feature your logo, company name, or message.
- Slip-Resistant: Rubber backing ensures stability on different floor surfaces.
- High-Quality Print: Vibrant, long-lasting logo and colours.
- Dirt & Moisture Control: Helps keep floors cleaner in busy areas.
From £45.00 + VAT
Cut-from-roll mats follow another set of limits
Some custom mats are cut from a roll rather than made to a full custom width and length. These can be simpler to size because they do not have the same shrinkage concern described above, but they usually come in fixed roll widths. You can often choose the length you need, but not any width you want.
This makes them useful for loose-lay positions on a floor surface where the standard width works for the space. They can also be a more cost-conscious route than a fully made-to-measure mat. The trade-off is that they may not suit a recess or entrance that needs an exact width match.
Cut-from-the-roll mats won't suffer shrinkage, but are limited by roll widths, usually 90cm, 100cm, and 120cm.
Choice Plush is the kind of mat worth considering if your space suits the available roll width and you do not need a full custom width-and-length format.
Plush Choice Entrance Mat
The Plush Choice Entrance Mat is a versatile, made-to-measure solution that brings both style and practicality to homes, offices, and commercial spaces. Designed to handle light to moderate foot traffic,…
- Custom Lengths: Available in lengths up to 25m, with widths of 90cm, or 120cm.
- Durable Materials: Polypropylene fibres for dirt scraping and moisture absorption.
- Slip-Resistant: PVC backing prevents movement on smooth floors.
- Low Profile Design: 7mm thick for narrow door gap clearance.
From £18.03 + VAT
Check thickness, backing and edge finish before ordering
Length and width are only part of the fit. You also need to check how the mat is built.
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Thickness or depth: If the mat sits in a recess, it should not sit proud enough to catch feet or obstruct the door.
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Backing: Some backings suit loose-lay use better than recessed fitting, while others affect whether the mat can be trimmed neatly.
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Edge finish: A rubber border, bevelled edge or finished edging can change how closely the mat can sit against surrounding edges.
If any of these points are unclear on the product page, ask before ordering. This is especially sensible if you are fitting into a matwell, between walls, or against skirting where there is little margin for error.
When to ask the supplier before you buy
Ask for fitting guidance if the opening is uneven, the corners are out of square, the door clearance is tight, or you are not sure whether the mat should be oversized for trimming. You should also ask if the product page does not clearly explain whether there is any expected variation in the finished size.
A quick check before ordering is far easier than trying to make the wrong mat work after delivery. Share the measured dimensions, explain where the mat will sit, and mention anything unusual about the entrance. If needed, include photos of the recess or doorway.
If you want to see how a custom-cut entrance matting project can work in practice, this example shows the sort of installation context where careful measuring and fit planning matter.
A simple pre-order checklist
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Measure length and width accurately with a tape measure.
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Check each dimension at multiple points, not just once.
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Look for narrow spots, uneven edges and corners that are out of square.
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Check depth, door clearance and any edge detail that could affect fit.
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Confirm whether the mat should be ordered exact, oversized for trimming, or with tolerance awareness.
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If the guidance is not explicit, ask the supplier before placing the order.
Measure first, then match your order method to the mat type so you can avoid the most common and most costly sizing mistakes.
