Door Matting Derby

An important part of looking after your flooring is having the right door matting, and there's a wide choice for both indoors and outdoors. Door mats come in all shapes, sizes and colours, but they fall into a few broad categories, starting with whether the mat is indoor or outdoor.

It's tempting to have both, to double the protection for your floor, but think about how exposed the outdoor mat will be. Under cover, it's likely to be a good option. Fully exposed to the weather, it will soak up everything the weather throws at it and, once sodden, will be hard to clean or dry out and counterproductive as a dirt barrier.

The other main decision is whether the mat is integrated(built into the floor) or loose-lay(sitting on top). The pros and cons of each are below.

Integrated door matting keeps the inside of a building cleaner by trapping dirt, debris and moisture from shoes before they reach the rest of the floor, reducing the need for cleaning and maintenance. Its biggest advantage, though, is safety: because it doesn't protrude above the surrounding floor, there's no edge to trip on. That matters most in commercial premises, with staff and customers coming and going all day.

It also helps with accessibility. Guidance on accessible buildings, including BS 8300 and Approved Document M of the Building Regulations, looks for entrance matting that sits level with the surrounding floor, so it doesn't catch wheelchairs, walking aids or feet. For businesses, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also require floors to be kept free of trip and slip hazards. Check with your building control or access adviser for your specific premises.

There are some drawbacks. Integrated matting costs a little more to install and needs professional fitting, and it's best decided on before a new floor goes down, as it's much easier at that stage than as a retrofit. It's made to fit a specific entrance, so it can't be moved if you change the layout later, and it's cleaned in place rather than taken away.

Loose-lay door mats are effective at removing dirt and debris before they're walked into the property, and they reduce the risk of slips caused by wet footwear, especially where the floor beyond is a smooth hard surface. That makes them important in rainy and snowy weather. They can also be personalised, so businesses can include their logo and corporate colours.

A loose mat is only safe while it's in good repair. Matting that has started to lift at the edges is a trip hazard, so it's important to inspect loose mats regularly. Most modern commercial loose-lay mats are weighted to lie as flat as possible, with tapered edges so there's no raised lip to catch feet.

Coir mats, made from coconut husk fibres, give a rough surface that removes dirt and debris effectively. Rubber mats are durable, weather-resistant and give good grip. Indoor mats often use absorbent materials such as microfibre or nylon to trap moisture and keep your floors clean. Mats can also be personalised with names, logos or designs.

Whatever your entrance, we'll help you choose matting that suits your style, protects your floor and reduces the risk of slips and falls. For the floor beyond the door, see our safety flooring and commercial flooring pages.