Buying Guides
Wheelchair Friendly Door Mats
In 2010, the Equality Act came into force, ensuring that all businesses make reasonable adjustments for wheelchair users and people with other disabilities to access their premises unimpeded. This includes providing ramps over or around stairways, improving signage and removing heavy doors that are too difficult to open.
Entrance matting can also be a problem for wheelchair users, as unsuitable matting makes accessing a building much more difficult. Many commercial-grade mats have thick rubber backings that can increase the height of the mat to 14mm or more, and some do not have flush or bevelled edging, which can block wheels. The materials or type of mat can also make access more difficult if they are too soft for the wheels to roll over easily.
Many of us are unaware of the everyday challenges faced by wheelchair users, so at First Mats, we produced this guide to help anyone looking for a wheelchair-friendly door mat find a suitable one.
Key Features of Wheelchair-Friendly Mats
Your choice of mat should be based on several key features, including:
- Bevelled edging – Without suitable edging, it can be difficult for a wheelchair to roll onto the mat surface. A bevelled edge acts like a mini ramp, making it easier for wheelchair users while also reducing the risk of trips for pedestrians.
- Mat height – Even if the mat has a bevelled edge, the overall height should also be considered.
- Crush resistance – Unlike feet, which spread weight across a greater area, the weight of a wheelchair is concentrated on a much smaller area where the wheels contact the floor. Because of this, a crush-resistant mat should always be used.
- General performance – The mat must perform well in varying conditions, whether used by wheeled or foot traffic. Ensure that your mat is absorbent and can remove dirt from wheels to help keep your floors clean and safe.
What to Avoid
Certain types of mats can make wheelchair access very difficult. Coir matting, also known as coconut matting, is a popular choice in domestic and commercial entrances due to its traditional appearance and effectiveness. However, for wheelchair users, it can be like moving through sand, as the wheels sink between the bristle-like fibres.
Ribbed metal matting, while much better for crush resistance, can also be problematic, as wheels may fall into alignment with the gaps, making it difficult to change direction.
You should ensure that any entrance mat or matting system being used is in excellent condition, especially for the benefit of wheelchair users. Matting with holes, or matting that is no longer flush with a recessed mat well, will not only perform poorly but can also make entering the building more difficult and dangerous.
Our Recommendations
AquaProtect Super Absorbent Door Mat
At First Mats, we offer a wide range of entrance mats, many of which are suitable for wheelchair access. The loose-lay option we recommend most highly is our AquaProtect mat.
AquaProtect is one of our best all-round performing mats, offering excellent water absorption, dirt removal and, crucially, crush resistance. Its combination of performance, low profile and bevelled edge makes it a strong choice for a wheelchair-friendly mat. Another great feature of the AquaProtect mat is its rubber backing, which helps to keep it in place when laid on the floor.
Just the job! The large, heavy-duty mat from First Mats doesn’t ruck, looks great and avoids tyre tracks on the hall floor from my 120kg wheelchair.
Michael S. — 16/08/2018
AquaProtect Super Absorbent Door Mat
The AquaProtect Super Absorbent Door Mat is made for entrances that have to deal with wet weather, muddy shoes, and heavy daily footfall. Holding up to 6 litres of water…
- Super Absorbent: Holds up to 6 litres of water per square metre.
- Highly Durable: 10.5mm thickness with Decalon fibres for long-lasting use.
- Non-Slip Design: Rubber backing prevents movement on smooth floors.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Reinforced border for added stability.
From £30.60 + VAT
Wheelchair-Friendly Fitted Door Mats
A permanent matting solution is highly recommended for publicly accessed or commercial buildings. Using a fitted mat within a specially made mat well allows you to create an entrance area that is completely flush with the surrounding floor, making it very easy for wheelchair users to enter.
The best product to use in these areas is our Mat-Well Tiles. They are designed for areas with regular wheeled traffic, such as supermarkets, hotels and buildings used by wheelchair users. Thanks to their interlocking design, they are straightforward to install and can be cleaned easily.
Mat-Well Tile Plus - 18mm Thick Tiles
The Mat-Well Tile Plus is a premium 18mm modular matting system, engineered for large commercial entrances where safety, durability, and appearance are critical. Designed for contractors and building designers, it…
- High-Quality Carpet: Needle-punch carpet traps dirt and moisture efficiently.
- Fire Resistant: Certified to EN13501 for safety compliance.
- Custom Tile Options: Open or closed designs for tailored dirt management.
- Compact and Durable: 29cm x 44cm tiles with 18mm thickness.
From £25.69 + VAT
We hope that you have found this guide useful. For further advice about our products, please contact us with any questions, and our knowledgeable team will be happy to assist you.
References
UK Equality Act information: http://www.hse.gov.uk/disability/law.htm
