Wheelchair Friendly Door Mats
by Richard O'Connor
Feb 15, 2018 | *4 minutes to readIn 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 don't have flush or bevelled edging, which blocks wheels. The materials or type of mat can also make access more difficult if they are too soft for the wheels to roll over them 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 to find a suitable one.
Key Features of Wheelchair Friendly Mats
Your choice of mat should be based on several key features, including;
- Bevelled Edging – It will be tough for a wheelchair to roll onto the mat surface without suitable edging. A Bevelled edge acts like a mini ramp, making it easier for the wheelchair user whilst 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 Resistant – Unlike feet which spread the 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 wheeled or foot traffic. Ensure that your mat is absorbent and can remove dirt from the wheels to keep your floors clean and safe.
What to Avoid
Certain types of mats can make wheelchair access very difficult. Coir (aka 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, whilst being much better for crush resistance, can be problematic too, as the wheels tend to 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 that are 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 will be suitable for wheelchair access, but the one that we feel will be the most suitable loose-lay option is our AquaProtect.
AquaProtect is one of our best all-around performing mats, offering excellent water absorption, dirt removal and crucially, crush resistance. Its combination of performance, a low profile and a bevelled edge makes this the perfect wheelchair-friendly mat. Another great feature of the AquaProtect mat is the 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 120k wheelchair." - Michael S. 16/08/2018
Specifications;
- Height: 10.5mm
- Bevelled Edges
- Sizes: 60x90cm, 90x150cm and 120x180cm
- Colours: blue, brown, charcoal, red
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, you can create an entrance area completely flush with the surrounding floors 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 and hotels, and buildings for wheelchair users. Thanks to an interlocking design, they are straightforward to install and can be cleaned easily.
Specifications;
- Height: 16mm (Pro Tile) or 18mm (Plus Tile)
- Interlocking Design
- Sizes: 29cm x 44cm
- Colours: Black, Blue, Grey
We hope that you have found this guide to be interesting and useful. For further advice about our products, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, and our knowledgeable team will be happy to assist you.
References -
UK Equality Act Information - http://www.hse.gov.uk/disability/law.htm
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, we’re here to help
How long does delivery take?
Each product comes with a specified lead time for delivery. We'll keep you informed if there are any delays in meeting this timeline.
Typically, once you’ve finalised your order and approved the proof, it will take 4-5 business days to make and deliver your finished mat.
If my order is damaged, can I return or exchange it?
Got a problem with your order? If something's not right or you're not thrilled with the quality, just let us know within 14 days of getting it. Drop us a line, and we'll tell you what to do next—usually, it starts with you sending us a photo of the issue. Once we check that out, we'll sort you out with a refund or a new item, no fuss.
Can I get my mat delivered more quickly?
Need your item in a hurry? Just Contact us to explore the faster delivery options we might have for you!
If my custom mat is damaged, can I return or exchange it?
Got a problem with your order? If something's not right or you're not thrilled with the quality, just let us know within 14 days of getting it. Drop us a line, and we'll tell you what to do next—usually, it starts with you sending us a photo of the issue. Once we check that out, we'll sort you out with a refund or a new item, no fuss.