Ways to Select Floor Mats Based on Foot Traffic

At first glance, most floor mats look pretty much the same. They typically are rectangular and come in a few different lengths and widths. This is most often the case if these are rental mats. Rental mats can be viewed as commodities. They are all pretty much the same as to size and quality, offering the customer relatively few options.

However, what we need to know, whether selecting rental mats or mats purchased from a manufacturer, is that not all floor mats are the same. Many are made for different purposes and different situations. And one of the most critical considerations that building owners and managers should be aware of is that some mats are designed for heavy foot traffic, moderate foot traffic, and very light foot traffic.

Selecting floor mats based on foot traffic can help keep facilities healthier, cleaner, safer, and be a cost savings. So how can we determine the amount of foot traffic an area has so that we can select the correct mat for that area? Here are four options:

Observe traffic patterns. A commercial facility, for instance, may have several entrances, but upon observation, we find that only one or two are frequently used to enter and leave the facility. A heavy foot traffic mat should be installed in such areas. Crown’s Commercial Clean Machine is a premium heavy-traffic scraper that is aggressive and will remove pounds of dirt, keeping the entrance clean. Selecting floor mats based on foot traffic can help keep facilities healthier, cleaner, safer, and be a cost savings. So how can we determine the amount of foot traffic an area has so that we can select the correct mat for that area? Here are four options:

Check the floor immediately following an entry mat. For instance, check to see how much soil and moisture has built up on the floor trailing an entry mat. If there is a considerable amount, either the wrong mat has been selected, the mat is not long enough, or the mat installed is not designed to handle the foot traffic at that entrance.

Note the mats life expectancy. Purchased mats are designed to last one to three years, sometimes longer. However, if the mat shows signs of wearing out quickly, it may indicate it is not designed for the foot traffic it is receiving.

Work with a distributor. The most effective way to select a floor mat based on foot traffic is to work with a matting distributor or sales representative familiar with floor mats. Some distributors will create a mat floor plan for an entire facility. The floor plan will outline where mats are needed, what types of mats should be selected – depending on heavy, moderate, or light foot traffic - and the length of the mat for each area of the facility.  Crown Matting Technologies provides a directory of sales representatives that will be happy to assist in the selection.

Many building owners and managers find this last option the most effective and the most cost-effective way to select floor mats. It turns the homework over to a professional, which for most busy building owners and managers, is one less thing they must be concerned with.

To increase the safety of entrance ways, Crown Matting Technologies offers ThermoGrip matting that is designed to be the very best entrance mat to uphold to high volumes of foot traffic for commercial retail stores, hotels, airports, education, healthcare and government industries.

The Crown Matting Technologies blog is where cleaning professionals and building managers can find expert, practical advice on the many features and benefits of high-quality, purchased floor mats and how they can help keep your facility cleaner, safer, healthier, and looking its best.  For more information, contact us at 800-MAT-LINE (628-5463).