The 10 best floor mats used in businesses today are popular for different reasons. Some of the factors to consider are price, functionality, and aesthetics. Identifying which factor is most important to you will help you choose a mat that will work best for your particular application. It is helpful to understand that the material the mats are made from will affect the benefits provided to the end user and the price.
For example, many of the most popular floor mats used as entrance mats consist of a vinyl or rubber backed mat and some type of carpet fiber on the surface which is usually a solution dyed polypropylene fiber or polypropylene fiber. nylon. The face weight of that surface fiber will greatly affect the price and performance of the floor mat. Another factor that affects price and performance is the fiber surface design (ie cut pile, loop, needled, etc.). This design offers a different look along with different performance characteristics.
Below you will find 10 of the most popular rugs in use today. Each mat can be used as an entrance mat. Some of these mats will have features that allow them to be used indoors, outdoors, or both. Some of the mats will have the freedom to be customized with a special logo or size to meet particular needs, and some of these mats can be used as a type of surface mat, in a recessed pit application, or both.
1. Olefin mats –
For indoor use only
vinyl backing
Cheap
Available in 3′, 4′ and 6′ widths Products up to 60′ long
Construction of cut piles generally 18 to 24 ounces face weight
Ideal for use on hard floors when money is tight
Useful shelf life: 6 months to 1 year
Logo Options: Flocking, Vinyl Insert
2. Double ribbed floor mats –
Indoor or outdoor use
Vinyl backing with ribbed fiber surface
relatively cheap
Available in 3′, 4′ and 6′ widths Products up to 60′ long
Needle punched polypropylene construction between 18 and 24 ounces face weight.
Polypropylene fibers are stain resistant and dry quickly.
Ideal for use on hard floors when better dirt removal is desired
Useful shelf life: 6 months to 1 year
Logo Options: Flocking, Vinyl Insert
3. Chevron Rugs –
Indoor or outdoor use
Vinyl backing with herringbone fiber surface
relatively cheap
Available in 3′, 4′ and 6′ widths Products up to 60′ long
Needle-punched polypropylene construction, typically between 18-24 ounces face weight.
Polypropylene fibers are stain resistant and dry quickly.
Ideal for use on hard floors when better dirt removal and a different appearance are desired
Useful shelf life: 6 months to 1 year
Logo Options: Flocking, Vinyl Insert
4. Floor mats with studs –
Indoor or outdoor use
Vinyl backing with a Berber or diamond pattern fiber construction
relatively cheap
Available in 3′, 4′ and 6′ widths Products up to 60′ long
Needle-punched polypropylene construction, typically between 18-24 ounces face weight.
Polypropylene fibers are stain resistant and dry quickly.
Ideal for use on hard floors when better dirt removal is desired
Useful shelf life: 6 months to 1 year
Logo Options: Flocking, Vinyl Insert
5. Waffle Mats –
Indoor or outdoor use
Rubber backing with a waffle pattern Backing can be grippy or smooth backed
The edge is water-damped to prevent excess moisture from dislodging from the mat.
moderately expensive
Available in 3′, 4′ and 6′ widths Products up to 60′ long
Needle-punched polypropylene construction, typically less than 26 ounces face weight
Polypropylene fibers are stain resistant and dry quickly.
Raised rubber nubs under each waffle pattern square make this mat a superior choice
to scuff up shoes and elevate foot traffic above moisture trapped in the mat
Waffle rugs and many of these rug types are also available in large area tiles and can
be installed in a recessed application or used as a surface mat
Useful shelf life: 2-3 years
Logo Options: Inlays
6. Waterhog Grand Premiere Floor Mats –
Indoor or outdoor use
Rubber backing with a diamond pattern and a 1/2 oval or double 1/2 oval end
Cloth Edge Backed Clip
This mat has revolutionized the mat industry as it is truly attractive and functional.
moderately expensive
High-end look and performance with over 30 sizes and many colors to choose from
Needle punched polypropylene in 36 oz front weight
Useful shelf life: 2-3 years
There are no logo options at this time
7. Rubber Backed Nylon Twisted Floor Mats –
For indoor use only
Rubber back with smooth or studded back
moderately expensive
Readily available in widths of 3′, 4′, 5′ and 6′ up to approximately 40′ – Certain types of this style of
Mats with a different name are available in widths of 7′, 8′, 9′, 10′, 11′ and 12′ up to
about 40′ long
Face Fiber is a nylon in a looped pile, typically 18 to 20 ounces face weight – some versions of
This rubber-backed nylon spinner mat is solution-dyed to resist stains.
Ideal use is as a finishing cleaning mat to absorb moisture from shoes.
Many colors to choose from.
Useful shelf life: 2-8 years
Logo options: dyeing and tufting process
8. Sand Trap Mats –
Indoor or outdoor use
Gummi or waffle crumb backing
moderately expensive
Available in any size up to 13’2″ x 82′ long – All mats are custom
Face fiber is heavy denier polypropylene solution dyed in a Berber pattern
When used as a surface mat, a rubber edging can be applied to ease transitions
Ideal for heavy traffic applications such as office buildings, shopping malls, airports, schools, etc.
It can be used as a surface mat, glued in place or loose and also as a recessed floor mat in
an inside or outside hole
Due to the available roll sizes, this product lends itself to odd configurations and sizes
This rugged product not only looks good, it’s tough enough to use in soccer locker rooms and
actually it is spike proof when you stick it
Useful shelf life: 2 – 5 years
Logo Options: Embedding and Flocking Processes
9. Aluminum foot rack mats –
Indoor or outdoor use
The mat surface can be fitted with carpet inserts, aluminum abrasive inserts,
vinyl inserts or have serrated aluminum construction – Carpets are the most popular
Carpet inserts are replaceable to provide many years of functionality
Expensive
The foot grid version of these mats is highly durable and is recommended for heavy traffic
use and lend themselves to recessed applications where a drain may be required
Foot louvers can only be used in a deep recessed application
Each floor mat with foot grid is made to measure
Architects like this style of rugs for its high-end appearance.
It is recommended to use an experienced floor mat contractor when choosing this
mat system
Useful shelf life: very long as long as the aluminum is not damaged. Rug
The inserts will need to be replaced every 2-3 years, but this system has been known to last
for 15 years or more
Logo Options: Limited
10. Aluminum roll-up floor mats –
Indoor or outdoor use
Aluminum roll up mat is available with aluminum, PVC or rubber hinges
The mat surface can be fitted with carpet inserts, aluminum abrasive inserts,
vinyl inserts or have serrated aluminum construction – Carpets are the most popular
inserts
Carpet inserts are often replaceable to provide many years of use
Expensive
These mats can be used in a recessed or surface mounted application.
Each mat is custom made.
Architects like this style of rugs for its high-end appearance.
It is recommended to use an experienced floor mat contractor when choosing this
mat system, especially if there is a custom size or shape requirement
Useful shelf life: aluminum hinged versions last longer, PVC versions last about 2 years,
Rubber lasts 3-4 years. Carpet inserts will need to be replaced every 2-3 years.
provided the mat system is in good condition
Logo Options: Limited
There you have the top 10 types of rugs available on the market today. There are literally hundreds of manufacturers of these mats. Each manufacturer can alter some of the characteristics of their product. Generally, however, one can use the information above to make an informed decision before choosing a rug for their entryway.