Floor mats help keep facilities clean and reduce slip-and-fall accidents. But if yours are showing signs of wear, it’s time to replace them.
Most commercial mats require regular cleaning and laundering. This is especially true for specialized mats like scraper and outdoor mats. But too frequent laundering can result in the mats’ edges rippling or forming humps/waves.
They’re Worth It
Floor mats are an often-undervalued accessory that is crucial to keeping your car’s interior clean and protected. They protect the carpeting from spills, dirt, mud, and foot traffic, and can add value to your vehicle’s resale price. They also make it easier to keep your car’s interior clean, which can save you time and money on detailing services.
Different types of floor mats are designed for specific purposes. For example, commercial floor mats are placed inside facilities to prevent slips and falls and protect floors from abrasive soils and chemicals. They are typically made from heavy-duty materials that resist deterioration in harsh environments and have grooves or ridges that trap soil and force liquid to the side of the mat. Some mats are also made to contain oil or grease.
Carpeted floor mats, on the other hand, are usually made from less durable fabrics and can deteriorate quickly, especially if abused. All-weather floor mats, on the other hand, can last much longer and are typically made of rubber or thermoplastic polymer. They are designed with grooves and ridges that capture and hold water and debris, and they are often molded to the shape of your vehicle’s carpet to ensure proper fit and function.
Another type of floor mat is modular, which consists of numerous elements that are designed to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They are commonly used for one-time events or on a temporary basis, such as fitness centres and sports competitions. Modular floor mats can be removed, washed, and stored easily.
Lastly, there are floor mats that are designed to work as an anti-fatigue mat. These are usually used for employees who need to stand for long periods of time and help to relieve stress and fatigue in the feet, legs, and back. These mats are typically thicker than standard carpeted mats and may have a raised surface to reduce the impact on your feet. Some also have a non-slip backing to prevent them from shifting around. Many of these mats are also made from environmentally friendly, pet-friendly, and biodegradable TPE, which is a great choice for those looking to minimize their environmental footprint.
They’re Safe
A properly-installed floor mat can reduce the amount of dirt brought inside a building, lower cleaning costs, and significantly reduce the incidence of slip, trip, or fall accidents. Without the appropriate matting system, guests can track abrasive soils and liquids throughout your facility, causing damage to hard floors and carpeting and increasing the frequency of costly restorative maintenance procedures. Mats help extend the life of your carpeting and hard surfaces by reducing the amount of dirt, debris, and spilled chemicals that enter your building.
Mats of the right size, thickness, and design can also improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by trapping dust, allergens, and other contaminants that would otherwise be tracked into a building. Many mats are designed with anti-static properties, which help reduce the spread of these contaminants and reduce the need for excessive cleaning. Additionally, some mats are designed with anti-fatigue properties, which have been proven to reduce employee sick-days and injuries by reducing the amount of muscle strain and stress that occurs while standing for long periods of time.
When mats aren’t installed correctly, they can create a slip and fall risk for pedestrians. They can also be a tripping hazard, especially if they curl, feature ridges or bumps, or become brittle due to excessive wear.
While the installation of the proper mat is essential to preventing a slip and fall incident, it’s equally important to maintain them regularly. Mats that are worn, missing chunks of rubber or plastic, or have holes in them can no longer effectively collect and contain dirt, spills, or other contaminants. Mats that are not secured to the ground by an anchoring system can also present a tripping hazard, as well as creating gaps between the mat and the floor, which may allow water or other substances to seep through.
If you’re looking for a wide variety of high-quality floor mats, a trusted Mat Shop can help you find the perfect solution for your needs. Whether you need durable mats for your business or stylish mats for your home, visiting a professional mat retailer ensures you get the right products to suit your space.
They’re Durable
The lifespan of floor mats depends on their quality, materials, and usage. Typically, mats with higher-quality materials and more specialized functions last longer than those made from cheaper or less-durable materials. Mats that are abused by frequent or heavy traffic, or those exposed to moisture will wear out faster than those in more sheltered and moderate usage environments. When buying floor mats, buyers should look for those with durable construction, including sturdy and long-lasting seams. Mats with molded and foam constructions tend to last longer than those with rubber or vinyl constructions. Buyers can also observe rating trends on products to see if a particular product has received high ratings by many customers, indicating that it meets and exceeds buyer expectations.
Carpet-mats, which have more in common with rugs than with floor liners, are usually the cheapest. These mats are designed to absorb a large amount of dirt, dust, and debris that would otherwise settle into the carpeting of the vehicle and cause it to degrade or even become moldy over time. They’re designed for easy cleaning, and they’re often made of thicker material than universal-fit floor mats to help them resist the ravages of wear and tear.
Floor liners are more expensive than carpet mats, but they last far longer and offer a greater degree of protection. Unlike mats that feature a rubber or carpet-like surface, floor liners are usually constructed of ultra-durable materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubberized plastic. They’re designed to withstand the harshest elements, and some have lips or walls that prevent spills from reaching carpeting or seats.
Mats are a vital safety tool for facilities, protecting their patrons against slip and fall accidents and mitigating hazards such as worn floors, indentations, transitions, high-traffic zones, and locations susceptible to spills. They’re especially effective in areas that have low ceilings, like kitchens and bathrooms, and they can be customized with facility logos or designs to promote branding.
In addition to increasing safety, floor mats improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and reduce the need for extensive cleaning. They trap dirt, allergens, and other harmful substances that would otherwise enter a home or commercial building through the doors. In addition, some mats are resistant to welding sparks, making them an excellent option for industrial and automotive applications.
They’re Eco-Friendly
Many people are becoming more aware of the importance of protecting the environment and making sure we have a clean and sustainable future. They’re looking for ways to be greener and companies are taking notice. Even something as simple as using eco-friendly floor mats can make a difference to customers and clients.
Quality floor mats improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by trapping dirt, allergens, and dust before it can get into carpeting or other interior surfaces, reducing the need for extensive cleaning. They also help prevent slips and falls that can result in injury and liability damages. And they can keep employees safe by providing a comfortable and sturdy surface to stand on when working in industrial settings with welding equipment or chemicals.
There are several different types of floor mats available, including all-weather and carpeted versions. All-weather mats are typically made with a heavy-duty polyethylene core between two layers of vinyl or thermoplastic material, making them durable and long-lasting. Carpet-based floor mats may have a woven or non-woven polypropylene backing, with the carpet layer stitched to the back of the mat. Some also have channels sculpted into their top surface to collect debris and moisture.
Whether you choose all-weather or carpet-based floor mats, you can find versions that are eco-friendly by looking for those with recycled materials. Often, these will have a recycled rubber or plastic backing that has been re-purposed from used tires or old plastic bottles. They’ll also be free of harmful chemicals, such as lead and cadmium. Another option is to go with a natural floor mat made from a renewable resource such as jute or coir. These mats are biodegradable and can be repurposed or composted at the end of their lifespan.
Other flooring options, like PVC mats, require regular and thorough cleaning to remain durable and attractive. By contrast, rubber mats are easier to maintain and can be sanitized quickly and efficiently. They’re also resistant to water, detergents, and oils so they can withstand spills and heavy use.
