The Material World of Entrance

Matting
By Simon James on July 24, 2019
Home » The Material World of Entrance Matting
Why is the material of entrance matting so
important?
Selecting the right entrance matting for any building, whether it is commercial or domestic, can
make a world of difference when it comes to performance, durability and value for money. Much
of that ‘performance’ is attributed to the materials from which entrance mats are made. Having
an insight into various materials’ characteristics can be helpful when specifying entrance matting
to make sure it can stand up to the job!

Properties of the materials used to make

door mats
Some materials wick away moisture more effectively than others and have inherent quick drying
properties; some fibres retain their structure making them more crush-resistant, while other
materials are by their very composition, simply more durable.

Different manufacturing processes

The manufacturing technique can also make a difference such as ‘tufting’, ‘weaving’ or ‘needle
punch. Some entrance matting is made from a combination of materials to give it a multi-action
performance. You will notice that many entrance mats feature strips of different materials –
some strips will scrape, some strips will brush, some strips will wipe moisture.

Making sure your door mats are compliant

There are some important factors to take into consideration when planning a public entrance,
including legal scrutiny. Entrance matting in commercial buildings should also accommodate
wheelchair access in line with the Equality Act 2010 so any material that is very soft, or that has
too deeper pile is not generally deemed suitable for this. Matting is usually installed in recessed
matwells for this reason to allow it to fit flush to the floor surface. If a matwell is not feasible and
there is no option but to lay to surface, then it can also have bevelled ‘ramped edging’ to
overcome this problem of wheeled access, while also minimizing trip hazards.

While understanding the most common materials used for entrance mats is not the proverbial
‘rocket science’, it is a little more complex than first meets the eye. It is helpful
for architects, specifiers and facilities managers to have a basic understanding. COBA Europe
offers the following advice.

Common surface materials for dust mats:

Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fibre and is very much regarded as the ‘crème de la crème’ of entrance
matting materials, usually with a higher price point to reflect this. There are many types of nylon,
such as Polyamide for example, which is a common material for heavy duty entrance matting.
That is why it is popular for areas such as shopping centre entrances or public travel, where high
levels of footfall are normal. It has a luxurious feel that ‘brushes and scrapes’ and offers some of
the best resiliency of all carpet materials through good crush resistant properties. It is a material
that is hard to impregnate, therefore more stain and fade resistant making it easier to maintain
that ‘as new’ condition. The other benefit of nylon entrance matting is its ability to dry quickly
– there’s nothing worse or less effective than a soggy doormat! Used for indoor locations only.
COBA Europe’s Premier Track Tiles and atrium carpet are examples of nylon entrance
matting.
Polypropylene
Derived from a thermoplastic polymer, entrance matting with Polypropylene fibres such as
COBA’s Needlepunch and Premier Plus Tiles, are very popular as the fibres give an effective
scraping action due to their abrasive texture. This makes it an especially good performer when it
comes to scraping dry dust. Entrance matting manufactured from Polypropylene fibres is
generally durable and frequently used for ‘zoned’ areas, or used in longer lengths as dirt-barrier
runners in reception areas for maximum floor protection. It is also normally a lower cost
alternative to nylon entrance mats and its versatility and durability makes it popular
for retail, offices, hotels and leisure.

Coir – dust mats made from coconut fibre

Coir is the epitome of the classic door mat, which today has been overtaken by more modern
materials for commercial entrance areas. It is a natural material derived from the husks of
coconut shells, which being coarse to the touch gives coir its bristly ‘brushing’ properties. Coir
does not have the quickest of drying properties and is prone to soiling. While still popular for
domestic use in its ‘door mat’ form, coir is frowned upon for commercial buildings because it is
not wheelchair friendly.

Cotton
Another natural fibre, cotton has many advantages when used for doormats in indoor domestic
situations. Rather like a towel, it soaks up moisture and is renowned for
its absorbency and quick-drying properties. It is ideal for wet, oily, or grease carrying moisture
but not so good for dry dust and dirt. Cotton pile has a tendency to flatten but can normally be
washed which restores it to its former self. Many of the cotton doormats, such as COBA’s Dirt
Trapper, are suitable for domestic washing machines and can be washed at 40ºC making
cleaning a hassle-free task. While its performance in the home for light duty use is
unquestionable, unfortunately cotton cannot stand the rigours of commercial use.

Microfibre
Microfibre is a synthetic material made from extremely fine individual fibres that are split to be
even thinner than the human hair – usually 1.0 denier or smaller. Different fibres can be used to
produce microfibre, but most commonly in entrance mats it is polypropylene and nylon
(polyamide) yarn. The term ‘microfibre’ is used to describe the yarn’s fineness – there is
microfibre and ultra microfibre. The huge benefit of microfibre is its amazing absorbency thanks
to its increased surface area. The star shaped structure of the miniscule micro-fibres creates a
capillary effect that traps moisture and dirt with exceptional efficiency. And the fact that it is so
soft, flexible and fine, means it penetrates all those hard to reach areas on footwear and wheel
treads that conventional materials cannot touch. Not only is it unsurpassed in trapping moisture –
even more efficient than cotton – it is also delivers great performance in scraping and trapping
dirt and debris. In fact, movement on a microfibre mat’s surface creates a static charge that
effectively attracts dirt and debris, and the particles are contained within the pile until it is
vacuum cleaned. Another bonus of microfibre is its quick-drying properties – incredibly it dries
in a third of the time of cotton mats. It is also durable and despite being soft to the touch, won’t
lint or fluff. Machine washable, it is renowned for its anti-bacterial benefits.
Natural Rubber / Nitrile Rubber door mats
Rubber (especially Nitrile Rubber) is suitable for heavy duty outdoor entrance areas. Unlike
PVC, rubber is not prone to cracking. When it comes to rubber door mats, there are many
choices in design – some feature open holes, while others have a textured solid surface. Opened
holed rubber door mats are effective dirt-scrapers and allow the debris to fall through the
mat. Rubber door mats have good non-slip characteristics. They are generally quite heavy and
therefore stay in place well on the ground. Rubber can be ‘Natural Rubber’ coming from the
Rubber Tree or synthetic as ‘Nitrile Rubber (NBR)’ – the addition of nitrile gives greater
resistance to heat and a longer lifespan in oily or greasy conditions. Compounds can vary so the
more nitrile, the better the performance. Nitrile has the ability to withstand a range of
temperatures from -40 °C to +108 °C. However, Natural Rubber is more flexible than its
synthetic counterpart. ‘Recycled Rubber’ is also used for some entrance mat products.
Popular Backing Materials:
Nitrile Rubber (Synthetic Rubber)
Nitrile backing is very popular (especially in the rental market) as it withstands laundering well.
It is also more impervious to oils and chemicals, with better heat (flammability) resistance than
natural rubber. On the whole, Nitrile backed matting should have a longer lifespan. Nitrile rubber
backing tends to stay in place better on smooth floors.

PVC
PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastic), sometimes termed ‘Vinyl’, is the lower cost option but care has
to be taken where the matting is situated as it is not suitable for very cold environments. Harsh
climatic conditions can eventually make PVC brittle and prone to cracking.

Obviously reputable manufacturers and suppliers

should always be there to give technical advice but it is
always useful to have some background knowledge!
https://www.cobaeurope.com/features/the-material-world-of-entrance-matting