ENTRANCE MATTING
In many instances, the first matted area will comprise a dirt-scraping mat to release larger particles of dirt, while the second matting zone will be a softer fibre, such as nylon which has good moisture absorbing properties and wears well, to wipe wet footwear.
Many matting suppliers also offer a range of heavy duty carpet runners, which are useful in enhancing the effectiveness of the overall entrance matting system. They form a practical and smart walkway. These can very often be laid to surface or glued to the floor depending on the interior floor.
There are also various legal requirements regarding entrance areas. They should be DDA compliant to allow wheeled access. Fire tested materials that meet European standards (such as EN 13501 classifications) are also available – in some environments this is compulsory criteria.
For those wishing to help the environment, there are also matting options made from recycled materials.
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
The design of the entrance area will have an impact on the type of matting that can be used too. Not all matting products can be fitted to more unusual, non square edged shapes. There are also entrance matting options available, such as PVC based products, that can be cut to shape with relative ease while aluminium systems would need to be custom-made and fitted. Some anti-theft systems actually conflict with metal based matting so it is wise to check or trial this before purchase.
Interlocking ‘tile’ systems can be useful for less conventional shapes and sizes as they can be linked
together to cover any floor space. This type of interlinking system is also versatile, especially as tiles can be very often removed or simply replaced instead of having to invest in a completely new system. It is usually the central pathway that is subjected to greater wear and tear so a tile system is a useful, cost- effective way of addressing this problem.
Some mats are fitted into recessed wells, while other options can be laid to surface. In the case of the latter, it is important to have ramped or ‘bevelled’ edges to reduce the risk of tripping and also allow for wheeled access.
It is worth saying that matting can only be truly effective when it is well cleaned and maintained. Worn out, dirty entrance mats serve little to no purpose. Systems that fit into recessed wells can be more difficult to clean, while others can be lifted out of the well and the debris simply vacuumed. Cleanliness is obviously of major importance to most buildings but when it comes to hospitals for example, contamination control is vital to prevent the spread of potential infection.
And that old cliché ‘first impressions count’ really does ring true. So quite apart from all the practical benefits of quality entrance matting, a smart entrance to any building speaks volumes about a business or organisation. So whether you’re stepping in or stepping out, don’t neglect the benefits of entrance matting.
www.cobaeurope.com
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