Tips for Choosing the Perfect Door Matting

Door matting performs a practical and aesthetic function in the home – it keeps dirt and mud outdoors and provides an interesting focal point for the entryway. When buying, here are some tips to keep in mind:

What kind of foot traffic do you have?
Some mats are made to handle light foot traffic while others are built for punishment in high traffic homes. Consider if you have pets as well. If you have animal companions that spend time outdoors before going indoors, you will need an easy-to-clean doormat that can absorb dirt, dust, sand, mud and organic debris.

What is your environment?
If you live in an area or neighborhood that gets a fair amount of snow or mud, look for door matting that features a rough, scraper surface. This will help in removing organic debris from soles and prevent dirt tracks inside the house. You might also want to consider using mats with a rubber bottom to prevent slipping, particularly during rainy season.

What kind of style do you have?
As lowly as a doormat’s job may be, it is still a reflection of your character and style as a homeowner. These days, door matting is available in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and materials. You could choose from designs that range from the solid and plain to the bold and bright, all of which can be used to match or complement an existing color or design scheme. There are even statement-making doormats that come with texts and graphics that show your fun-loving personality. Of course, there are also those that border on the loud and tacky if you want them. If you prefer a more unique approach, there are even companies that offer customization so you and only you will have a door mat of that specific design and shape in your neighborhood.

Choosing the right material
Door matting material plays an important role not just in the function of the mat but also in its appearance and ultimately, its efficiency. Materials typically range from organic or natural to synthetic fibers. To give you an idea about which type to consider, here are some of the most popular materials and their features:

Rubber – economical, recyclable, very durable, provides easy drainage for wet days, easy to clean, limited selection in terms of color

Dragon grass – made from a natural material, biodegradable, natural color, comes in wonderful patterns, handles drainage well, easy to clean

PolyCoir – made from coco brush, very durable and dense, easy to clean

Coco brush – made from natural materials, resistant to mildew and molds, rough enough to clean shoes well, dries quickly, comes in different colors and designs, easy to clean

Aluminum – very durable, rustic-looking, comes in designs that aid in efficient drainage, comes in different colors, resists sun, wind and rain

Need low maintenance door matting?
Unless you have time to brush, vacuum or wash your doormats, it is a good idea to buy one made from materials that are easy to keep clean and maintain. This also helps extend the useful life of the mat. Luckily, most of the door matting available today can be washed with plain water or even vacuumed to avoid buildup of dust and dirt.