Professional entrance mats: are you making these mistakes?
Entrance mats act as a barrier between the dirt on the outside and the cleanliness on the inside of an establishment. This professional floor covering helps reinforce your company's image as soon as the public enters your premises. Choosing it is therefore a very important step. With so many different models to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which mat is best suited to your space. Scratch-resistant, absorbent or anti-slip mats: many ERPs are unaware of the different criteria for choosing an anti-dirt entrance mat, and unfortunately make mistakes. That's why NeoSol has put together a few tips to help you avoid mistakes and make the right choice.
Criteria for choosing an entrance mat
When it comes to investing in a professional entrance mat, it's essential to turn to an expert in floor coverings for all sectors of activity. As a specialist in the sale of floor mats for professionals, NeoSol can advise you on your choice of matting, offering several models such as entrance mats.
To choose the right entrance mat, you first need to define your needs by asking yourself the right questions: what will it be used for? How busy is my establishment? Is it for indoor or outdoor use? What's my budget? Will it need to be customized? These answers will help you make an initial selection from among our various brands and models of mat. Next, you'll need to consider other criteria such as :
- size,
- thickness,
- its location,
- its material,
- its fire rating,
- its aesthetics.
To find out more about the different characteristics of an entrance mat, we invite you to consult this article: how to choose the right entrance mat?
Entrance matting: mistakes to avoid!
As you can see, to avoid mistakes when choosing your entrance mat, it's essential to define your needs and the purpose of the flooring. Mistakes when choosing an entrance mat can be aesthetic, dimensional, related to its thickness or even its use. For example, an entrance mat in a supermarket will not have the same characteristics as one in a small restaurant. In fact, each work environment has its own specificities. To illustrate some of the issues involved, we've selected 3 common mistakes made by ERPs.
1. Entrance matting with edging: watch out for the pit!
One of the main errors is aesthetic. Aesthetics is not just about the color, design or customization of the mat, but rather the final look once it's been laid. For example, if you opt for a floor mat with a border, it's essential to consider its location. It can't be placed just anywhere. Many professionals integrate an entrance mat with a border into a pit. This is aesthetically incorrect and can even lead to accidents! The pit will allow your mat to be embedded in the ground, giving a natural effect to your entrance. If you have one, it's best not to choose a mat with a border.
2. Wrongthickness of entrance matting: risk of accidents
Another common mistake is choosing the right thickness of matting. Some floor mats are customizable and can be made to measure. This means you can choose the dimensions and thickness of your matting. Thanks to technological advances, professional mat manufacturers have been able to design ergonomic, comfortable mats, thanks to the thickness of the natural fibers and other materials used. A thick mat will provide a comfortable passage for the public and facilitateaccess for PRMs (persons with reduced mobility), as well as the movement of furniture or boxes.
However, don't choose just any thickness. Mats that are too thick or too thin can be awkward for certain uses, and can cause accidents of varying degrees of severity. Taking into account the place where you want to place it and the depth of the pit, if your entrance has one, will protect passers-by from the risk of falling or having an accident. The thickness should fill the entire space of the pit frame. This will ensure continuity with your floor and a more natural appearance.
3. Crowding in public buildings
Another mistake often made by ERP companies is not to take into account the number of visitors to their establishment. In fact, the number of people passing through each day will influence your choice of matting. As each entrance mat is different in terms of composition, finish, fire rating and performance, you'll need to choose a mat that can withstand the intensity of daily traffic. An entrance mat that is not designed for heavy traffic may not last as long. It will degrade more quickly, and you'll have to invest in a new mat a few months after your first purchase. The aim is to keep your entrance mat in place for several months, so it should be chosen with care.
Of course, these 3 mistakes are not the only ones, but thanks to the information and advice provided in this article, you'll know the main characteristics of a mat and which one is best suited to your environment, without making any mistakes.
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