Coir matting is a type of entrance matting and flooring made from coconut husk fibres. It resembles a straw or brush-like material that is incredibly effective for entrance mats. Its traditional appearance makes it popular with restaurants, pubs, hotels, and homes from all eras.
Coir is widely available in roll widths of 1 or 2 metres and can be cut to size, making it possible to purchase it cut to a length of your choosing. In addition, it is bound to a PVC backing for added strength and durability, making Coir Matting easy to trim.
When you look at a Coir Mat next to more contemporary cotton or Nylon alternatives, the differences between them will be instantly apparent. Both types of matting have their specialisms, but some of the benefits of using Coir Matting include;
Unsurprisingly, an entrance is the most common place to find a coir mat. Unlike other types of matting, coir coconut matting can be installed in a wall-to-wall format filling the entire floor area of an entrance porch or in a recessed mat-well for a more premium finish than a contemporary loose-lay mat.
Coir Matting is also ideal for internal walkways in places like traditional pubs or restaurants, as the 1m and 2m wide rolls allow larger areas to be covered with a single cut piece.
The most popular Coir Matting Thickness is 17mm. However, the thickness of Coir Matting doesn't affect its performance. Instead, the various thickness options allow the user to choose one that fits into their floor recess or matwell. For this purpose, Coir Matting can often be found in thicknesses between 12mm and 23mm, although 17mm will be most suitable in most cases.
If you are unsure of the correct thickness for your needs, contact a professional floor fitter to order and install your matting or request a sample piece to see how it looks inside the space you intend to use it.
All of our Coir Coconut Matting is available in standard and cut-to-length sizes. You can choose from coir roll widths of 100cm or 200cm, which are cut to any length you require, up to 6 metres in length.
When ordering a coir mat to your size, we strongly recommend measuring the area as carefully as possible as mat wells often vary, meaning you don’t get a recess that is truly square shaped. In addition, we would advise that you allow an extra 3cm over your measured size to allow for these variances in the mat well. Then, the excess can easily be trimmed to the perfect size while fitting using a Stanley knife.
Our Cut to Size Coir Matting is available in two heights, 17mm and 23mm. Most homes and workplaces will use 17mm as these can be fitted loose-lay (which means no attachments or adhesives) or in shallow mat wells, a recess in the floor to keep the mat flush with the floor level. Our coloured options are only available at 17mm in height or thickness.
Buying Tip: If your mat well is deeper than the sizes we offer, boards or similar materials can be used to build up the height to the required level, ensuring a flush finish with the surrounding floor.
When used in a mat well, the coir matting can be laid within the recess without any adhesives to make it easier to lift and clean. Still, if the mat is likely to move, a small amount of adhesive (either a few dots or a cross on the backing) is all you will need to keep it in place.
The Coir Mats can also be ordered in various colours, including the traditional natural colour, which is a light brown, or in Grey, Black and Dark Brown, giving you a greater choice to buy a mat that matches the décor and style of your home or workplace.
Coconut Coir has been used as matting in the UK since the 19th century, long before the days of synthetic fibres that are used in soft flooring today, so it's hardly surprising that part of the appeal of Coir Mats is the old-fashioned timely look that suits older buildings and cottages perfectly. Because of this, natural coir has been the preferred choice for many, but more people are using the new coloured coir to suit modern homes too.
Our Coir Matting is mounted on a PVC backing which helps to keep the mat rigid and in place once installed. This material can also be cut to the required size using a Stanley knife or similar blade.
Remember that when ordering your coir matting cut to size, adding an extra 3cm to the measured size is recommended to allow for greater accuracy when trimming.
You can either loose-lay the mats or, if preferred, fix them into position using a small amount of adhesive.
If you notice that your Coir Matting is shedding fibres, please don't be alarmed, as this is perfectly normal. Coir does shed for a short period whilst new, but this will stop over time, and regular vacuuming can help to remove the loose fibres more quickly.
The lifespan of Coir Matting can be prolonged by regular care and maintenance. For example, if the mat is loosely laid, you can turn it upside down and shake it outside to remove any dirt build-up in the piles. Typically, however, you can remove most of the dirt and debris with a vacuum cleaner; just leave any mud to become dry first.
Coir matting is very absorbent, so it is recommended not to saturate the mat when cleaning it. A dry cleaning powder can effectively remove marks that do not simply vacuum away. Avoid using strong chemicals such as cleaning detergents and white spirits as these can damage the natural coir fibres.
Whichever type of mat you choose, First Mats guarantee that you will receive matting made only from the highest quality materials. All of our mats are sourced from established, reputable manufacturers. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can promptly contact us and address your concerns.
As our coir matting is backed by PVC, coir is not suitable for outdoor environments. This is due to PVC’s intolerance to wet and damp places and areas, with rainwater unable to seep through the backing, reducing the lifespan of the mat sustainably. Additionally, even if the mats were coated with water-resistant rubber, the coir fibres are prone to UV damage, fading and rapid shedding in turbulent and unpredictable British weather.
See our Outdoor Rubber Door Mats for outdoor matting options.
This answer depends on many factors that can all determine how long your coir matting lasts. Key points to consider include:
To maintain and prolong the life of your coir mat, please view some of our considerations:
References -
Door mats might not stand out as being the most obvious product to boast an interesting manufacturing history, but the truth of the matter is that coir matting is produced in a fascinating fashion. So, while you may be aware of the many benefits that they can bring to your home or business, gaining a little background insight can be very useful too. Coir comes from the outer husk – that you won’t see in the supermarkets - of a coconut, which is incredible enough. However, the material (obviously) doesn’t instantly become a doormat once it is scraped from the...
So you’ve just bought a piece of Coir Matting. Maybe you are replacing an old, tired looking mat that has been there since you moved in, or perhaps it’s a brand new floor area looking for an attractive floor mat to finish it off. Either way, there’s a good chance that you will need to cut your matting in order to make it fit. Fortunately, cutting Coir Matting is easy. To cut your Coir Matting, follow the simple steps below; Measure the area where you’ll fit the mat Turn your new piece of Coir Matting upside down Mark the...
When was the last time your door mats were given a good clean? A week ago? A month ago? Or maybe longer? Door mats are our first line of defence for keeping our floors clean and dry, yet many of them get neglected, making them less effective at doing their job. Putting time aside to clean door mats may feel like a hassle, but having a clean and effective mat will help keep your flooring and other mats looking spotless by keeping dirt and grime away. So, a clean door mat means time and money saved in the long run!...
