What Makes a Good Entrance Mat?
What is the importance of the entry matting material?
When it comes to performance, durability, and value for money, choosing the proper entry matting for any building, whether it's commercial entrance matting or household door mats, can make all the difference. The materials used to make entry mats are responsible for much of that 'performance.' Knowing the properties of various door mat materials might be useful when specifying entry matting to ensure it can do the job!
What characteristics do doormat materials have?
Some door mat materials wick moisture away more effectively than others and have natural quick-drying capabilities; some fibres retain their structure, making them more crush-resistant; and others are simply more durable due to their composition.
What are the common surface materials for door mats?
The most common materials for door mats and entrance matting to be made from are polypropylene, coir, and natural rubber.
Polypropylene
Entrance matting with Polypropylene fibres such as Nomad 8850 Entrance Matting and Parquet Rib Entrance Mats, are very popular as the fibres give an effective scraping action due to their abrasive texture. This makes it an especially good performer when it comes to scraping dry dust. Entrance matting manufactured from Polypropylene fibres is generally durable and frequently used for ‘zoned’ areas, or used in longer lengths as dirt-barrier runners in reception areas for maximum floor protection. It is also normally a lower cost alternative to nylon entrance mats and its versatility and durability makes it popular for retail, offices, hotels and leisure.
Coir mats made from coconut fibre
Coir is the essence of the classic door mat, which has been surpassed in commercial entrance areas by more sophisticated materials. Coir is a natural material made from the husks of coconut shells, and its bristly 'brushing' capabilities are due to its abrasive texture. Coir is a porous material that takes a long time to dry and is easily soiled. While coir is still popular for residential use in the form of a 'door mat,' it is not recommended for commercial buildings because it is not wheelchair accessible.
Natural Rubber / Nitrile Rubber door mats
For heavy-duty exterior entrance areas, rubber (particularly Nitrile Rubber) is ideal. Rubber doormats, unlike PVC, are not prone to cracking. Rubber door mats come in a variety of designs, with some having open holes and others having a textured solid surface. Rubber door mats with open holes are good dirt-scrapers and allow rubbish to fall through. Rubber door mats have excellent non-slip properties. Because they are usually rather heavy, they stay in place on the ground quite effectively. Rubber can be natural or synthetic, which has a higher heat resistance and a longer lifespan in oily or greasy circumstances.
Popular Backing Materials:
Nitrile Rubber (Synthetic Rubber)
Nitrile backing is quite popular since it can endure a lot of washing. It's also more resistant to oils and chemicals, as well as having a higher heat (flammability) tolerance than natural rubber. Nitrile-backed matting should, on average, have a longer lifespan. On smooth flooring, nitrile rubber backing tends to stay in place better.
PVC
PVC PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastic), sometimes known as 'Vinyl,' is the less expensive option, however it must be used with caution because it is not appropriate for extremely cold settings. PVC can become brittle and break prone as a result of harsh environmental conditions.
Much of the 'performance' can be attributed to the materials used to construct entry mats. Knowing the qualities of different door mat materials can help you specify entry mats that will do the job!