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What is Coir Matting

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.

What are the benefits of buying Coir Coconut Matting?

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;

  • Dirt Removal – The fibres create a rough-textured surface that scrapes dirt away from shoes like a sweeping brush.
  • Moisture Absorption – Naturally absorbent coir fibres help to retain water, keeping it away from floors.
  • Recessed installation – Our thick coir matting is ideal for recessed mat wells, creating a more permanent and flush matted entrance area.
  • Traditional Appearance – Aesthetically appealing, especially in older buildings and cottages.
  • Sizes - Coir Matting can be Cut to Size, making it ideal for fitting into unusually shaped entrances and recesses.

Where are Coir Mats used?

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 being walked over with muddy boots

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.

Coir Matting Thicknesses

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.

Coir Matting Cut to Size

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.

Coir Matting Example

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.

Coir Matting Colour Options

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.

Coloured Coir Matting Options

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.

Installing Coir Matting

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.

  • When cutting your mat, we recommend that you turn the mat upside down to cut the back of the mat.
  • Measure the size precisely with a large ruler or tape measure. Remember to check measurements carefully before cutting.
  • Make the cuts using firm, straight edges such as a metal bar or spirit level.

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.

Does Coir Matting Shed its fibres?

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.

How to Clean Coir Coconut Mats

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.

Why Buy Coir Matting from First Mats?

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.

Q. Can I Use Coir Mats Outside?

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.

Q. How Long Do Coir Mats Tend to Last?

This answer depends on many factors that can all determine how long your coir matting lasts. Key points to consider include:

    • The level of footfall on the mat - Higher traffic volumes will decrease the mat’s durability over time more than lower casual traffic levels.
    • Loose-laid or mat-well? - Mat-well coir is less prone to fibres bending out of shape and shedding due to the outer frame, protecting the base and cross-section of the mat.
    • Thickness / Depth: Loose-laid thicker coir mats tend to trap more dirt and moisture per square meter but need more upkeep to maintain long-lasting, reliable results.
    • Placement – Tying into our footfall argument, the placement of the mat can determine how often it is used within a building. Coir mats at entrances are used the most frequently, while mats suited at room doorways and corridors are less likely to be stepped on.

To maintain and prolong the life of your coir mat, please view some of our considerations:

    • Cleaning – We recommend deep cleaning your coir mat fortnightly, followed by intermittent dry vacuuming cleaning to remove debris from the mat's top surface. Please read through our Coir Cleaning Guide in this article for more information.
    • Avoid wheeled traffic – Wheeled traffic is unsuitable for coir matting due to the crushed coconut fibres under passing traffic. Please view our Entrance Mat range of products if you need to accommodate wheeled traffic at entrances.
    • Only use coir matting indoors – As mentioned earlier, our coir matting is only suitable for indoor use and should not be used as an alternative option for outdoor environments (If you need an Outdoor Door Mats, please view our “Outdoor Door Mats” range).

References -

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coir
  2. https://londonstreetviews.wordpress.com/2016/11/17/thomas-treloar-cocoa-nut-fibre-warehouse/

First Mats Choice






Further Reading for Coir Coconut Matting



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