Ultimate Mats provide visitors with a surface to wipe their feet before entering, helping keep floors cleaner while decreasing instances of slips and falls.
Antimicrobial compounds used in mat rubber and fibre treatments inhibit bacterial and fungal growth for a healthier environment for humans.
Origins
Entrance mats have a rich and extensive history, dating back to Japan and Taiwan where some of the earliest versions were made from weaved blades of grass and reed; today they come in various sizes, shapes, materials ranging from polypropylene to jute that will keep your floors clean!
Your entrance mats need to meet various climate, business and budget needs; from heavy rainfall and the occasional freeze. Selecting appropriate material and proper installation are crucial for keeping floors and employees dry and safe; plus they cost much less than alternatives such as carpet.
To help make an informed decision, we have assembled our best tips and tricks into the NoTrax Entrance Mat Guide which can be downloaded as a PDF from our website. It will guide you through selecting an entrance mat suitable for your facility, installing it correctly and maintaining it over time.
Materials
There are various materials used to construct entrance mats, each offering distinct advantages. Understanding their properties will enable you to select an entrance mat suitable for your facility and ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices.
Rubber: Rubber entrance mats are an increasingly popular choice, as their strong, durable surface provides excellent moisture and mildew resistance while being easy to maintain and clean up after. Rubber also makes an excellent choice for high traffic areas as its maintenance requirements are minimal.
Vinyl: Another popular material option, vinyl flooring is affordable and won’t stain floors, with various colours and patterns to suit any decor.
Nitrile: Nitrile, a synthetic rubber compound, is an increasingly popular material choice for floor mats due to its resistance against chemicals, fuels and oils.
Eco-friendly materials have become more prevalent in entrance mat designs, enabling facilities to incorporate sustainability elements while still delivering top performance in areas that matter most. Cocoa floor mats made from recycled coconut husk are particularly popular among earth-honoring businesses and LEED projects.
Functions
Entrance mats serve to scrape, brush and absorb dirt from shoes before it enters a building. Furthermore, they offer traction to wet or dry floors for safer flooring conditions that decrease slipperiness and falls while decreasing risk.
Entrance matting also contributes to LEED certification assessments by reducing dust that enters a building, thus improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier environment for visitors and employees alike. Entrance mats also play an essential part in creating an inviting atmosphere in any facility they inhabit, making a statement about who resides there while also serving to provide protection.
Entrance matting must be properly secured in place for optimal operation; otherwise it will migrate and cease performing its essential dirt trapping functions. This can be accomplished either through embedding it in recessed wells in flooring, or alternatively through frames, ramps or dividers that keep its surface level with that of the floor below.
Maintenance
Entrance mats are essential additions at every entrance and must be kept clean and in top condition to ward off dirt, moisture and other environmental irritants that accumulate over time. Therefore, they require regular and thorough cleaning.
An entrance mat of good quality should serve your building well for years if properly cared for and regularly maintained, however if not, it may become dirty quickly and may need replacing sooner rather than later.
Maintaining an effective entrance mat requires regular vacuuming, deep shampooing and rinsing for best results. By taking these steps you can restore their appearance as well as extend their longevity.
An entrance mat protects floors from tracked-in dirt, dust, and grit that could bring germs into your home. This makes your floors, carpets, and tiles cleaner and safer while decreasing professional cleaning needs.