Entrance Mats for Dry Areas

In the UK, dry entrance areas are less common due to the wet weather, but they can be found within larger buildings. These areas typically deal with fine dirt and dust, rather than moisture or mud. To effectively remove this type of dirt, you can use entrance mats with a dense fibre designed to trap and hold onto the fine particles.

Cotton mats or microfibre mats with a twisted fibre face are good options as they can effectively scrape footwear and transition the dirt to the foot of the mat, where it is retained until later cleaned. This is in contrast to mats which allow dirt to sit on top of the mat, which will result in it being tracked off the mat as more people walk over it.

Effective dust control mats can also improve the air quality in your building, which is especially important for those with respiratory problems.

Mat recommendations: Shades Custom Heavy Duty, Pro-Hygiene Anti-Microbial, Velour Microfibre

Entrance Mats for Wet Areas

It’s important to choose a mat with good absorbency properties when dealing with wet areas. If your entrance area is particularly wet, you may need a longer mat. Cotton entrance mats and microfibre entrance mats are both highly absorbent and recommended for wet areas, but you need to consider the level of foot traffic in the area.

For low-traffic areas, cotton mats are ideal because they have time to dry between usage. However, for high-traffic areas, cotton mats may become overloaded in wet weather and unable to contain the water, resulting in a wet floor around the mat and a risk of slips and floor damage.

For busy areas, we recommend mats made of man-made materials like nylon that allow moisture to evaporate more quickly than cotton. In very busy areas, such as retail stores, you may also consider placing overhead heaters at the entrance to speed up the drying process.

For areas that are particularly wet or snowy, a bi-level mat with a dam system is recommended. Mats with a dam system have raised rubber edges that contain the liquid on the mat to prevent it from spilling off the edge and causing slips or floor damage. Bi-level mats allow water to fall to the lower level while people walk on the upper level, minimizing the risk of overloading.

In very wet areas, a finishing mat may be needed after the bi-level entrance mat to aid in the drying process. See our recommendations for “The 3 Zone Entrance Mat System” later in this guide.

Mat recommendations: Velour Microfibre Absorbent, Aqua Barrier, Frontrunner Plus

Entrance Mats for Heavy Dirt & Mud Areas

Entrance areas with heavy dirt and mud are among the most difficult places to keep clean. To tackle this challenge, you will need entrance mats with a robust scraping action and the ability to retain the removed mud to prevent it from being tracked off the mat as more people step on it. Bi-level mats are best suited for this purpose. The top surface scrapes away the mud, while the lower surface collects and stores it away from the walking surface.

To effectively manage heavy dirt and mud, it is recommended to use an outdoor entrance mat in conjunction with your indoor mat (again refer to “The 3 Zone Entrance Mat System“). The outdoor mat should have large scraper nubs and flow-through holes, allowing rain, dirt, and mud to fall through the mat where it can be cleaned away. The outdoor mat should also be weather-resistant and easy to clean, so a rubber mat is an ideal choice for an outdoor mat.

In muddy areas, it is crucial to clean your entrance mats frequently and it would also help to regularly clean the outdoor area of dirt and mud too. Choose mats that are easy to clean with a hose or pressure washer. Please see the cleaning and maintenance section of our guide for further details.

Mat recommendations: Aqua Barrier, Rubber Ramp Mat, Frontrunner Entry Roll

Heavy Dirt and Mud are particularly challenging for Entrance Mats to deal with

Still unsure about which entrance mat is right for your business? Our team of experts is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us by calling 0121 312 3222 or visiting our contact page. We’re always happy to provide personalised advice and help you find the ideal matting solution for your unique needs.