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Best Commercial Entrance Mat Tips

by | Mar 10, 2017 | Hiring a Commercial Cleaning Company

Entrance Mat Purchasing Guidelines

Aside from adding to the look and curbside appeal of your building, entrance mats serve several purposes, and may be all but required for companies located in areas with heavy rain and snowfall.

Long-term, purchasing a custom entrance mat will save your organization a significant amount of money, and allow you to personalize its look to compliment your particular brand.

Depending on the amount and type of foot traffic in and out of your establishment, as well as the typical outdoor environment, it may be more prudent to purchase multiple types and lengths of mats to suit your particular purpose.

Additionally, whether you decide to rent or purchase your mats, you will need to establish cost-effective cleaning guidelines to prevent accidents and dirt and contaminant transfer.

Why Invest in High-Quality Entrance Mats?

Initially, renting may seem more economically viable than purchasing, but the short-term cost-savings is quickly eclipsed by long-term rental and maintenance fees.

High-performance mats come in multiple shapes and sizes, as well as types that serve a dedicated purpose.  Rentals are usually a smaller doormat made of inferior materials.

Once the rental mats are worn down, they must be replaced, or they could potentially pose a health and safety risk due to matting and water overflow, or a lessened ability to capture contaminants, allowing dirt and germs to be tracked across the floor.

For More Information:

What Type of Entry Mat Should you Purchase?

The type, size, and makeup of your mat will depend on several factors:

  • Surface area
  • Purpose
  • Budget

 Surface Area

The size can be determined by the area that needs protection.

High footfall hallways should be covered to extend past the traffic area, while an elevator floor should be covered almost entirely.

Bathroom entryways won’t need very large coverage, but a mat should ideally be placed on both sides of the doorway.

Mats should provide at least 5 feet of coverage on either side of a door, allowing them to trap an estimated 85 percent of soil and contaminant, with 25-foot mats capturing an estimated 95 percent.

Purpose

Not all matting was created with the same intent or purpose in mind.

Scraper mats are typically large and heavy, made of thick rubber, and placed on the inside and outside of primary entrances to remove as much soil as possible before walking across the floor, making them ideal for areas with a lot of mud or snow.

Other high-performance mats are coated in an antimicrobial additive that eliminates mold and bacteria, as well as controlling odors, making them ideal for primary and restroom entryways.

Regardless, all mats should either be thick enough to not slip, or come manufactured with a non-slip surface on the bottom.

Additionally, beveled edges are recommended to prevent tripping hazards.

Budget

Regardless if you choose to rent or purchase matting, your budgeting will need to cover more than initial costs.

Mats must be cleaned regularly to remove all of the trapped soil and maintain their appearance and performance.

Rental companies rarely provide necessary daily vacuum services, with many offering a two-week exchange plan, leaving the facilities manager to deal with the additional cost of daily maintenance.

High-quality matting can include your company logo, or be custom-cut to fit precisely in entryways, providing a professional appearance and appeal, as well as make your building a healthier and safer place to work or patron.

An alternative that could potentially lower purchasing expenses and protect the environment would be recycled rubber mats.

Placement

Aside from entry and hallway placement, matting should be placed in high footfall areas, including:

  • Transitional areas between buildings.
  • Inside elevators and at the entrance of escalators, and;
  • Around water fountains, as well as dining areas.

Additionally, consider placing:

  • Anti-static mats next to electronic equipment, and;
  • Anti-fatigue mats at employee workstations.

Never overlap mats or install them on carpeting, as this could curl the matting and create a tripping hazard.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Mats are an investment, and they need to be cared for as such, especially considering the volume of dirt they absorb daily.

  • Vacuum the mats daily with a HEPA filtered vacuum.
  • Make sure the floor under the matting, as well as the bottom of the mat itself, is dry and clean to prevent molding, which will eventually create a slip hazard.
  • Have the mats professionally cleaned with a dirt extractor on a regular basis.
  • Make sure to roll, not fold the mats for transfer and storage.

References

  • Cleaning and Maintenance Management
    • More on Mats Than You Ever Thought Possible
    • What’s in a Mat?

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Takeaway

High-performance matting is a cost-effective solution to several facilities maintenance and property management challenges.

Entrance mats provide necessary slip and fall prevention that, if left unaddressed, could potentially result in litigious action in the event of an accident, as well as create a significant barrier against the transfer of dirt and germs.

They also add to the appeal and professional appearance of the building.

Renting may seem ideal, but the quick savings will cost you in the long-run.

Professional mats are designed with a specific purpose in mind, and you should consult a professional regarding your needs, as well as maintenance and cleaning costs and services.

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