7-Dec-22 | Tips & Tricks

Floor Protection Mats – Where You Should & Shouldn’t Use Them

Aston martin logo on long floor mat

In the commercial world, floor protection is a crucial element. Proper floor protector mats will assist in protecting your flooring from harm, including scratches that could be brought on by various objects like chairs, desks or furniture. Floor protection mats will also help prevent damage from dirt or water brought in by foot traffic, especially during the wet winter season. In commercial environments, using door mats can ensure your floors stay protected while also welcoming customers and providing an opportunity to market your business. But where do you use floor protection mats, and are there places you can’t use them?

Where Should You Use Floor Protection Mats?

Doorways

The most common place for a protection mat is the entrance and exit to your business. These mats are the first line of defence for preventing dirt and water from entering the premises. There are many types of entrance mats, but a good option is a barrier mat, which is a carpet pile with rubber backing, perfect for trapping dirt and moisture in doorways.

Around the Office

Office mats can be deployed throughout an office to look after the carpets in areas where they are likely to be worn down by chairs and office furniture. We have office mats for large commercial premises, as well as coir, logo and dirt trapper mats available. We even have specialist anti-fatigue mats for those who are on their feet for long periods in order to reduce fatigue and boost productivity.

Commercial Spaces

Protective floor mats are useful in many commercial space, including schools, restaurants, retail locations, and hotel or leisure complexes. Mats should be placed where the floor needs protecting the most, for example, around workstations and machinery in production lines and industrial areas, which is where our oil and grease-resistant mat is best suited. Rubber entrance mats for commercial use need to be hard-wearing and durable to handle large amounts of footfall, but at the same time keep the entrances looking fresh and appealing.

Where Shouldn’t You Use Floor Protection Mats?

There aren’t many places you can’t put a mat, however, it is important to ensure the mat is safely and securely placed to avoid trips and slips, and isn’t a fire hazard or in the way. The main place to avoid putting a mat is stairways.

Mats should not be used on (or close to) stairs or steps, as they can be extremely dangerous if they are on or close to the top, bottom, or landings. Place mats far away from the stairs if the goal is to prevent dirt and debris from gathering on them. Someone could easily trip on their raised surfaces when climbing or descending and the risk isn’t worth it, given how serious falling down stairs can be.

Here are our top tips for mat safety:

  • Choose the right size of mat for your floor area
  • Replace your mat when it’s worn or damaged to avoid the risk of trips
  • Choose the correct backing type to ensure minimal mat movement
  • Avoid placing mats close to stairs
  • Don’t place mats over cabling or loose wires (unless it is a safety cable mat)
  • Place anti-static mats in front of lifts

Man leaving lift across anti-static mat

Finding the Right Floor Protection Mat for You

The type of floor is the first factor you should consider while selecting the best floor protector mat. The mats can be utilised for a variety of floors, including those in homes and offices. The floors are likewise constructed from a variety of materials, including hardwood and tile. Looking at the type and material of the floor can help you when choosing your mat. For instance, heavy-duty mats would be necessary for hardwood floors because they are prone to damage from objects like chairs and furniture.

Once you have the type of mat you require, you can then work out the sizing to suit your premises. For help on how to choose the right size door mat, visit our blog.

UK Floor Mat Specialists Mats Nationwide

We are the UK’s floor mat specialist, having dealt with requests from clients from a wide range of industries, and helping them come up with solutions to ensure they protect their floors throughout all seasons.

Should you need some expert advice about which protective floor mats are going to work best for your building, or you require some professional logo mats made to order that fit perfectly at your property then contact us via email or give us a call.