There are lots of factors to consider when purchasing a doormat. Size, thickness, material and durability all come into play. Choosing the right door mat material for your space can make a huge difference from performance all the way to value for money.
Matwell matting creates a neat and contemporary entrance area that is easy to maintain, so you don’t need to lift your hoover up onto the doormat anymore.Keep reading our comprehensive guide to find out all you need to know about how to choose and install matwell matting for your home.
What is a matwell?
Simply put, a matwell is a recess in the flooring around your door, into which matting is fitted as an integral doormat. Ideally, the matting should be flush with the surrounding flooring to create an even, continuous surface.
What are the different matwell matting types?
Coir
Considered a true classic material, coir provides a durable and affordable doormat surface. Manufactured from coconut husks, it is a natural, eco-friendly option that rates high on performance.
Its coarse texture gives a great scraping effect that wipes dirt and moisture off footwear efficiently to keep your floors clean.
Tiles
Matwell tiles are incredibly efficient and cost-effective pieces of kit – suitable for high volumes of footfall in busy commercial areas where safety is pivotal. They are suitable for wheeled traffic, making matwell tiles ideal for places like supermarkets and hotel entrances.
With an interlocking system, matwell tiles are easy to install and can be trimmed to shape for a perfect fit. They also sport a clever open or closed system, giving you the choice to allow debris to fall underneath the mat (open) or on top of it (closed) depending on how you want to clean it.
Ribbed polypropylene
An ideal option for heavy traffic areas, this abrasive material provides a great scraping action especially for dry dust and dirt. Lightweight and very easy to clean, polypropylene door mats are a durable and low-cost solution to protecting floors in many industrial and commercial workplaces.
Which thickness do I choose for my matwell matting?
The first thing to do is measure the depth of your mat well using a tape measure. It may not be the same depth across the whole matwell, so it’s recommended to check the depth in a number of places to ensure accuracy. You can use a spirit level to double-check.
Many people think that the thicker the depth of the matting, the better and more durable it is. However, this is not always the case. For example, matting that is too thick for the matwell is more difficult for people to walk on or push a wheelchair across.
And if you have a very deep recess, you may find it beneficial to lay down some floor screed or marine plywood to reduce the depth of matting that you require. The key thing is to select matting that sits in the matwell flush with the floor.
Most types of matting are available in thicknesses between 12mm and 23mm.
Do I need a frame or trim around my matwell matting?
This is really down to a personal choice. You may want to source a matwell frame or flooring trims to help finish off your matwell, but this is not essential. It may be worth waiting until after the mat arrives to see how it looks, and deciding then.
How do I install matwell matting?
Once you have an idea of what type of matting you want, it’s pretty easy to install it yourself. Just follow these five simple steps:
- Measure: first, you need to measure all four sides of the recess where you want your mat to go. Don’t forget to measure the depth too! It’s best to work in centimetres for all measurements to avoid any confusion.
- Choose: you may have decided on material and thickness beforehand but, if not, then now’s the time. There are many different matting materials available for you to choose from, each with its own unique set of benefits for your home.
- Unroll: once you’ve placed your order and your mat has arrived, it’s time to unroll. It’s best to leave your mat unrolled and flat for 24-48 hours after you receive it to help the backing straighten and the fibres settle.
- Trim: if your mat is a perfect fit then it may be possible to skip this step. However, sometimes you may find that a corner needs a little trim to get that perfect fit. It’s best to do this using a Stanley knife and always cut from the backing side up. For a clean finish, you may wish to use a ruler or mark the back with chalk before cutting.
- Enjoy: your new matwell matting is ready to use and your entrance looks great too!
Can I install matwell matting outside?
Generally speaking, no. Matwells are used inside buildings. Most matwell frames incorporate wood, iron or steel and so when in contact with the elements they may start to decompose and rust. This greatly reduces the effectiveness and lifespan of the matwell and will cost you more as you will have to keep replacing it.
Also, installing matwell matting outdoors causes safety risks to yourself and visitors. Unlike indoor environments and floorings, trying to add a matwell frame on rough, uneven concrete slabs, pavement and earth is not advised.
How do I care for my newly installed matwell matting?
Since the matting is fitted into the floor and cannot be removed, the best way to maintain it is by regular cleaning instead of a deep clean once every couple of months.
You can do this by regularly hoovering your matting to remove any dirt or debris. For an enhanced clean, you can use dry cleaning powders that can reach right into the depths of the mat.
To do this, sprinkle the cleaning powder (or a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda works too) liberally all over the mat and leave for 30 minutes to absorb. Then use a vacuum cleaner to hoover up the powder and the dirt.
Author Bio: First Mats started life as safety matting specialists, but have since expanded to become a complete industrial and commercial supplies company. The focus of First Mats is to provide safety-focused products that improve the wellbeing of staff through quality approved products, backed up by extensive knowledge. www.firstmats.co.uk
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