Entrance matting is something that may go largely unnoticed, but it serves a great purpose in the grand scheme of things. Not only does the presence of entrance matting help to make a good first impression for any visitors, but it also functions as a key safety factor as it removes as much as 75% of dirt and moisture on the sole of shoes.
Dirt trodden throughout the premises, with mess getting into any carpeted flooring, can increase maintenance costs, while any standing moisture on hard flooring is a clear accident waiting to happen. Often, those entering the building are unaware as to what may be on the bottom of their shoes which is what makes entrance matting essential for businesses.
Five Key Reasons for Installing Entrance Matting
- Safety - the presence of matting at the entrance of a building goes a long way to reducing the amount of moisture and other dirt that could be a potential slip-hazard
- Protection of Interior Floors - as well as preventing traipsed in dirt from becoming a safety hazard, entrance matting also works to protect interior floors from damage such as scratches caused by debris (like stones caught in mud) when walked into hard flooring
- Reduced Maintenance Costs - over 80% of dirt and debris in buildings comes in via the bottom of someone's shoe and an entrance mat can reduce that amount by 75%, meaning that less cleaning will be required throughout the building
- Improved Air Quality - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an environmental programme that assesses indoor air quality in buildings, and with entrance matting reducing the amount of debris in the building, the quality of air in the building improves because there are fewer particles in the atmosphere
- First Impressions - naturally, you want to make a good first impression, and a tidy entrance and clean flooring throughout the building will help you to achieve this
Where to Use Entrance Matting
Quality entrance matting reduces the risk of trips and falls caused by dirt, debris and wet floors considerably. Without good matting at the entrance, you run the risk of highly avoidable safety hazards cropping up in your building which put staff members and visitors at needless risk.
The team at Selby Contract Flooring can advise you on the best types of entrance matting for your premises and its usage. With over 20 years of experience in the industry installing flooring solutions across thousands of buildings in the London area, you will be in safe hands.
Different Types of Entrance Matting
Some of the different types of entrance mattings include:
- Throwdown mats (roll-up mats)
- Coir matting
- Ribbed/diagonal matting
- Aluminium matting
Each matting type has a responsibility to help provide safe access for all users of buildings, including wheelchair users.
Aluminium Matting
These types of barrier matting, also known as a primary barrier matting systems, are most common and can be found in the entrance to most commercial buildings like shopping centres, hospitals, large office buildings etc…
They are made up of aluminium frames and are a combination of scraper and textile wipers. These types of mats will usually sit in a recess - an area for the matting to drop into. This will give you the best opportunity in protecting the public against slips and falls. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 90% of slip accidents in public buildings happen as a result of slipping on wet floors. An effective matting system can reduce the amount of dirt and moisture tracked into a building by up to 90%, helping to reduce such slip accidents.
Coir Matting
Coir matting is a traditional type of doormat that is not as prominent today as it has been in years gone by. Made from natural materials coming from coconut shells, coir matting is recognisable for its bristly look and feel.
This type of matting is more commonly seen in domestic settings rather than commercial ones, largely because it does not lend itself well for wheelchair users requiring an accessible entrance. Coir matting can also take a while to dry when it becomes wet.
Throwdown Matting
Throwdown mats are known for having a good, grippy surface that anchors the mat in place. However, they are susceptible to bunching and curling, thus presenting a safety hazard right at the entrance of the building. Commercial buildings generally opt for permanent matting solutions that remain fixed to the surface of the floor, free from becoming a trip hazard to anyone entering the building.
Ribbed and Diagonal Matting
Diagonal and/or ribbed carpet entrance matting features a diagonal ribbed surface design. This helps to scrape moisture, dirt and other debris from the sole of the shoe.
Distance is Key to Stopping Dirt
As well as ensuring your premises has the correct material for entrance matting, distance should also be considered. The longer the matting, the more dirt is stopped at the entry point, keeping the building cleaner and safer.
- 1.8 meters of entry product stops 40% of dirt
- 6 meters of entry product stops 80% of dirt
- 12 meters of entry product stops 98% of dirt
If you require more information on picking the best entrance matting for your business, please get in contact with Selby Contract Flooring today.
