Questions to Ask Before Selecting a New Matting System

Some building managers and cleaning professionals believe all matting is essentially the same. While this may be true for rental mats, when it comes to high-performance matting systems, there are many types of mats. Selecting the right mat for the right purpose, therefore, can be confusing.

Here are some of the key questions building owners, managers, and cleaning professionals should ask to ensure the most effective matting system is selected for a facility and where it will be used:

A building entry is considered to have heavy traffic if more than 1,500 people use the facility; moderate to heavy traffic refers to 500 to 1,500 people; light to moderate traffic refers to 125 to 500 building users.

Some mats are specifically designed to help reduce fatigue for workers who must stand for long periods of time. The most effective anti-fatigue mats contain Zedlan, a patented foam that provides a gentle but noticeable bounce. This helps improve circulation to the lower ligaments, important in preventing worker fatigue.

What type of facility is it?

Different high-performance mats are designed for different types of facilities. Some examples include such auto dealerships, grocery stores, banks, and health care facilities. Further, the type of mat selected for an industrial location might not be the type of mat placed in an office building. Properly selected, the mat should enhance the appearance, health, and safety of the facility in which it is installed.

What is the climate like in your area?

The type of mat selected for a very dry climate will likely not be effective in a very damp climate. Further, some areas of the country do not have all four seasons while others do. In some cases, the types of mats installed may vary based on the time of year.

Where in the facility will the mat be installed?

This is very important. Mats should be viewed as a facility’s “line of defense” against soil and contaminants entering the building. Three kinds of mats work together to keep facilities safe and clean. Scraper mats are installed directly outside the facility; scraper/wipers and wiper mats are installed inside the building. These are three different types of mats are each designed to play a different role in the system. In addition, some mats are designed to be placed at specific areas in a facility, such as before elevators, to help prevent soils from one area of a facility being brought into another. There are even anti-static mats designed to be installed where static electricity is a concern.

Will the mat be used for branding or marketing purposes?

Many facilities, such as hotels and office buildings, select mats with their logo embedded into the mat. Known as logo or image mats, these are double-duty mats designed to promote a company and its products, as well as help keep soil and moisture from entering the location. All types of facilities, from stores to hospitals, are now selecting image mats.

To meet with a Crown Matting Specialist in your area, contact us here.