The winter months have slowly crept on us, with cold winds, rain showers, and snowfall on the way. With the peak of winter ahead, now is the perfect time to invest in indoor matting, to not only protect your floors from all the dirt and icy sludge but, to protect your visitors and staff from slipping on the uncovered ground. The main function of indoor matting is to remove the level of dirt and moisture that is tracked in from the soles of shoes before it makes its way into your building. However, with a variety of mats available, which type of indoor mat do you choose? Here at Commercial Matting, we are specialists when it comes to indoor matting, with an extensive range available on our website, from coir mats and anti-fatigue to synthetic and throwdown. In this blog post, we have listed the most important attributes to look out for when choosing an indoor mat, to make sure you acquire the best mat for you and your environment.

Mat Size

The size of the mat matters! With indoor matting, it is important to choose a mat that fits your entrance well, to ensure there are no lips or folds in the mat that may cause an accident. The most appropriately sized mat will sit flat and evenly on the floor. We suggest measuring your desired location before purchasing a mat, or if you’re unsure, we offer a made-to-measure service.

Secondly, the mat must be long enough and wide enough to be able to sufficiently remove the dirt off shoes and other equipment passing through, such as wheelchairs and prams. A larger mat will encourage people to wipe their feet before entering the building, and if they do not, there will still be enough mat coverage for them to take enough steps to scrape off the excess dirt and moisture.

Thickness

As well as the size, thickness and density of the pile are characteristics to also consider. If you have an area that is prone to a high amount of traffic or has a lot of wheeled apparatus passing through, you will want a shorter pile as this will not hinder access. We also stock indoor mats with a sloped rubber edge, which offers accessibility for all users, and also reduces trip hazards.

Material

The type of material that you choose for your indoor mat goes hand in hand with its thickness, as different materials offer different benefits. The most common types of indoor mats are made from coir, nylon, polypropylene, and cotton, all of which we stock.

Coir

Coir is one of the most popular types of indoor matting, made from natural coconut fibres that have excellent scraping properties. The fibres have a coarse texture that effectively brushes excess dirt particles away, whilst also absorbing a good level of moisture. We have coir matting available in various thicknesses, to suit a range of applications and environments. Coir matting may be deemed as the least wheelchair-friendly option however, it is fantastic in high foot traffic areas, especially in public buildings such as schools, offices, and reception areas. Plus, it is one of the cheaper options, that works as effectively as mats that are at a higher price point.

Cotton

Cotton can be an excellent material choice in low foot traffic areas, perhaps in a personal office or secondary entrance way. Naturally, cotton is relatively soft in texture, with a high absorbency level. Cotton indoor mats work great in areas which are prone to moisture however, they are not the best for collecting dirt. One advantage to cotton mats is that they can be cleaned and washed very easily, you can even put them in the washing machine. We now have made-to-measure speckle effect cotton mats available on our website.

Nylon

Nylon is a very common material used for indoor matting, with a more luxurious, heavy-duty pile that removes grime and dirt, whilst being stylish. Mats made out of nylon look very professional, enhancing the look and feel of entrances in commercial settings such as shopping centres. Our Luxury Throwdown Mats are available in a range of vibrant colours, to match most interior colour schemes.

Although nylon mats can enhance the look of your interiors, they have functional benefits too. Nylon dries very quickly, making it suitable for winter weather when a larger amount of water accumulates. Due to this attribute, nylon is very hard to stain, and it is less likely to fade over time.

Polypropylene

Indoor mats that are manufactured out of polypropylene are abrasive in texture and made out of thermoplastic polymer fibres that are tough and high in strength. Polypropylene mats effectively eliminate dirt before it is tracked in, especially dry dirt. These types of mats are particularly useful in high-traffic areas such as offices, hotels, and leisure centres, as they are incredibly durable.

Backing

If your floor surface is particularly smooth and slippery, you will need an indoor mat that is backed with another material, to reduce the chances of slip and trip accidents even further. There are two main types of backing used for indoor matting, PVC and nitrile rubber, both of which we use on our matting.

PVC

PVC helps to make indoor mats non-slip, useful in entrances where the floor gets particularly wet. The PVC retains surplus water, preventing it from seeping onto the floor where it will cause potential danger. Without backing, mats can slide around on the floor, increasing the chances of accidents in the workplace. All of our coir mats are backed with PVC, making them non-slip.

Nitrile Rubber

Nitrile rubber is a type of synthetic rubber that is slightly more expensive than PVC, as it tends to have a longer lifespan. It is also resistant to oils and chemicals, meaning it can be installed in a number of settings.

Now that you know what you should look out for, you should be able to pick the right type of indoor matting for you and your business. We stock a wide range of indoor mats, that are readily available on our website. All of our products are manufactured in the UK and made out of high-quality materials to ensure you receive a mat which is effective, functional, and good-looking. If you have any questions about the products we stock, please contact us at 01772 330051 or sales@commercial-matting.net and one of our team members will be more than happy to help!