Look Down… Floor Mats Matter!
Thousands of years ago, the floor mat was born. Originally made from braided plant fibers, today’s mats are quite evolved to say the least! The basis for most all mats these days is highly engineered rubber and fabric. The value of rubber mat material dates back to Mesoamerica where rubber was being cured for use by the Olmecs (1500 B.C. to 400 B.C.) and the Aztecs (1100 A.D. to 1522 A.D.). These ancient peoples were extracting latex from rubber trees, mixing it with the juice of local vines and processed rubber took its first steps.
In the 19th century, vulcanization was invented making flexible rubber mat material a mainstay in the marketplace. Today’s vulcanization processes are very sophisticated and allow for the bonding of non-woven synthetic fabrics directly to rubber. These processes provide manufacturers with an opportunity to produce rubber mats that are not only durable, resilient, and comfortable, but can also absorb liquids and serve as an abrasive for the bottom of shoes.
An average building with as few as 150 people entering and exiting can have over a pound of dirt tracked in every week, but that can be reduced by 85-95% with a floor mat! Between 70-80% of all moisture, dirt and debris are brought into a facility on the bottom of shoes. It has been recommended that at least 15 feet of matting is required to remove the majority of dirt and debris from foot traffic.
What else can floor mats do?
– Protect and extend the life of your resilient & carpet flooring
– Free standing rubber mats lie flat without cracking and wearing. Puncture free design makes them ideal for areas with heavy weights.
– Provide comfort for standing workers – Cushioning qualities found in matting alleviates foot and lower back pressure, while stimulating blood circulation that helps to reduce stress on major muscle groups.
– Improve safety conditions & reduce accidents
– Dissipate static electricity
– Keep moisture and debris free from work platforms – Pebble and raised matting bottoms allow for water drainage, air circulation and a debris free work station.
– Minimize tripping hazards
– Promote company image and spirit with custom graphics
So many options… so many mats. It’s all about what works for you. Here are a few uses to consider:
Entrance Matting – Design your own entrance floor mat to include your logo or select from a wide range of carpet mats. Mats can be made with durable rubber and are available for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Specialty Matting -For athletic applications, choose from skate-spike resistant or weight room matting. Safety-Grid products are excellent for wet areas like locker rooms or spas.
Safety and Comfort Matting -Whether you need to designate a hazard area with a safety mat or have a kitchen area that needs help with slip resistance. A complete line of anti-fatigue and anti-static mats are also available. Mats are offered in a variety of textures and colors and offered for both wet and dry areas.
Runners & Switchboard Matting -For work areas requiring grounding, there is an option of PVC matting. Clear protective runners and various industrial and commercial runners are available as well.
Custom-Designed Matting -If you need a matting product with flexibility, mats can be custom-designed for specific work stations in a variety of widths, lengths, lengths and/or shapes. Ramp edging can also be specified.
Floor mats are effective at keeping floors clean, they are eco-friendly, can extend the life of the flooring in your building or facility. \We’ll be sure to find the right floor matting for you. Continental Flooring offers materials only or complete installation services for all your floor covering needs. Please feel free to call us for product advice, free samples, assistance in specifications, or to place an order. One call does it all!
