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Which Entrance Mat Material Should I Choose?

Rubber Backed or Vinyl Backed Entrance Mats

Entrance mats come in a wide range of prices to suit different budgets, with the backing material being a key factor in the overall cost. Cheaper mats often have a PVC or vinyl backing, while higher-priced mats generally feature a rubber backing.

Mats with a PVC/vinyl backing are less durable and more prone to splitting, cracking, or curling at the edges over time. They also tend to move around on the floor more, particularly smaller mats on hard floors, so may require taping or gluing to stay in place.

Rubber-backed mats, on the other hand, tend to stay in place better due to rubberโ€™s natural grip on surfaces. They are also more flexible, making them less likely to split, crack, or curl and, as a result, longer-lasting and safer to use.

If you have a low-traffic entrance area or are willing to replace the mats more frequently, vinyl-backed mats may be suitable for your needs. However, keep in mind that buying a cheaper mat may not be cost-effective in the long run, as replacement costs could eventually outweigh the benefits of buying a higher quality mat. We recommend choosing a rubber-backed entrance mat if your budget allows for a better quality product.

Hybrid Material Entrance Mats

Mats labelled as โ€œrubber-backedโ€ may still contain a mixture of materials, which may or may not include rubber. Vitrile is sometimes used, which is a mix of rubber and PVC vinyl. These mats may be suitable for your needs and can be less expensive, but the durability will not be the same as a pure nitrile rubber backed mat.

To ensure you are getting a good quality mat, itโ€™s recommended to check the specifications data to see exactly what materials have been used in manufacture. Additionally, you may want to request a sample of the mat to test it out for yourself and determine its quality before making a purchase.

Entrance Mats made of Cotton vs Man-Made Fibres

Cotton is a highly absorbent natural fibre, making it an excellent choice for drying mats. Itโ€™s also machine-washable, which makes it a great option for home use. However, cotton mats have a downside โ€“ they dry very slowly. The fibres retain water and donโ€™t allow for quick evaporation, making them less suitable for busy commercial entrances. They can become saturated and ineffective at stopping moisture and dirt.

Nylon, Polypropylene and PET mats are generally less absorbent than cotton but are still effective at removing water. They dry far more quickly, making them a better choice for busy commercial entrances.

Microfibre is highly absorbent, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic, wet entrance areas. Some rubber-backed microfibre mats are machine-washable, providing the best of both worlds: effective and easy to clean.

Coir / Coconut Entrance Mats

In general, we do not recommend using coir or coconut matting for commercial entrance mats. However, they are still a popular choice for businesses to place in mat wells because they are easy to cut to size and have a natural look.

The downside of coir mats is that they wear down more quickly compared to other mat materials, especially in busy entrances that need to handle a lot of water and dirt. This results in an unsightly worn path appearance down the centre of the mat.

Coir is also very difficult to clean due to the long fibres and falls foul of recommendations in theย Equality Act 2010ย 

Click here to view our range of Coir Matting

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. Weโ€™re always happy to provide personalised advice and help you find the ideal matting solution for your unique needs.