How to Choose Entrance Matting for Your Business (UK Guide)

Last updated: May 2026

Why Entrance Matting Matters More Than You Think

First impressions in business premises start at the door. But entrance matting UK does far more than look professional. Studies show that up to 80% of the dirt tracked into a building arrives on the soles of shoes. Research by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) estimates that effective entrance matting can reduce interior cleaning costs by 50–75% annually. Beyond cleanliness, wet floors at entrances are a leading cause of slip and fall accidents — the most common type of workplace injury in the UK according to the HSE.

This guide walks through everything you need to know to choose the right entrance matting for your business.

The True Cost of Not Having Entrance Matting

Consider these statistics:

• A single person walking into a building on a wet day tracks in approximately 1,000 bacteria per step
• It takes up to 12 steps on carpet to remove the dirt from one step on a wet surface
• Floor cleaning accounts for a significant portion of commercial cleaning budgets — entrance matting directly reduces this spend
• Slip and trip accidents cost UK businesses over £500 million per year in compensation, lost time, and legal costs

Quality entrance matting pays for itself — typically within the first year of use in a medium to high footfall business.

Types of Entrance Matting

Coir Matting

Coir is made from natural coconut husk fibres and is one of the most effective materials for scraping heavy mud and debris from shoes. It is the classic choice for exterior doorways and covered porch areas. Coir dries out naturally and resists compression, maintaining its scraping effectiveness for years.

Best for: Exterior use, covered entrances, traditional aesthetics, heavy mud scraping.
Limitations: Not suitable for fully exposed outdoor use (rain destroys it), not wheel-friendly for trolleys or wheelchairs.

Rubber Entrance Mats

Rubber mats at entrances provide excellent grip, durability, and wet weather performance. Raised profiles (ribbed, studded, or link bar) channel water away from the foot surface while providing grip. Rubber is ideal for high-footfall commercial entrances where durability and easy maintenance are priorities.

Best for: High footfall commercial entrances, outdoor covered areas, environments with heavy moisture.
Limitations: Less effective at removing fine dust than fabric-surfaced mats.

PVC and Vinyl Entrance Matting

PVC link mats and vinyl-backed fabric mats are versatile and cost-effective. Many PVC link mats are suitable for wet outdoor use and can be cut to size. Vinyl-backed fabric mats combine a scraping/absorbing surface with a non-slip PVC backing.

Best for: Indoor/outdoor transitional areas, budget-conscious applications, cut-to-size requirements.

Logo and Branded Entrance Mats

Custom logo mats allow businesses to display their brand at the entrance while still providing functional dirt-trapping performance. Usually constructed with a nylon or polyamide face on a rubber or vinyl backing. Available in full colour with photographic quality printing.

Best for: Reception areas, branded retail environments, hotels, corporate offices.

Recessed Entrance Matting Systems

For prestige commercial builds, recessed aluminium entrance matting frames allow matting to sit flush with the surrounding floor surface. These systems use aluminium, rubber, or textile insert strips to provide aggressive dirt removal. They are specified by architects and facilities managers for airports, shopping centres, and corporate HQs.

Best for: High-traffic commercial builds, architectural applications, very high footfall venues.

Entrance Matting Sizing Guide

The key principle: a person needs at least 3–4 steps on entrance matting to have their footwear effectively cleaned and dried. At a typical stride length, this means a minimum of 1.2–1.5 metres of effective matting for medium-footfall premises.

Indoor vs Outdoor Entrance Matting

A two-zone entrance system is recommended for most businesses:

• Zone 1 (Outdoor/Scraper): Positioned outside or in a covered porch. Purpose: remove heavy mud, wet debris, and grit. Materials: coir, rubber, PVC link.
• Zone 2 (Indoor/Absorber): Positioned inside the building. Purpose: absorb residual moisture and fine dust. Materials: nylon, polyamide fabric on rubber or vinyl backing.

Maintenance and Care

Entrance mats work hardest of all your flooring, so maintenance is critical:

• Daily: Shake or vacuum to remove trapped grit (grit left in mats damages flooring underneath).
• Weekly: Hose down rubber and PVC mats; machine wash fabric mats (up to 40°C typically).
• Monthly: Inspect for wear, particularly at leading edges. Replace when surface compression or wear reduces effectiveness.
• Seasonal: Replace coir mats annually — they compress over a winter season.

The ROI of Good Entrance Matting

Let us put some numbers to the investment:

• Average commercial entrance mat (rubber, 90x150cm): £40–£120
• Annual cleaning cost saving: Typically 50–75% reduction in entrance area cleaning hours
• Slip accident prevention: Average cost of a single slip claim in UK: £10,000–£50,000+
• Floor damage prevention: Hard floors scratched by grit can cost thousands to repair

A £100 entrance mat that prevents one slip claim, saves 2 cleaning hours per week, and extends floor life by 3 years represents a return of many thousands of pounds. It is arguably the highest-ROI purchase in commercial premises maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best entrance matting for a wet UK climate?

For the UK's frequently wet conditions, a rubber or PVC scraper mat at the exterior, followed by a moisture-absorbing fabric-backed mat at the interior, is the recommended two-zone system. Look for mats with a high pile for moisture absorption and a non-slip rubber backing.

How often should entrance mats be replaced?

Fabric entrance mats typically last 1–3 years in commercial use before the pile compresses and loses effectiveness. Rubber mats last considerably longer — 5–10 years with proper maintenance. A simple test: if the mat surface is flat and no longer traps dirt effectively, it is time to replace.

Can entrance matting be cut to a custom size?

Yes. Many rubber and PVC link mats can be cut to size with a sharp utility knife and a straight edge. Fabric-backed roll mats can also be cut to length. Coir matting can be cut with heavy scissors or a carpet knife. For precise cuts, a purpose-made rubber/carpet cutter is recommended.

What is the slip resistance requirement for entrance matting?

The Health and Safety Executive recommends floors with a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of 36 or above to be considered low slip risk. Most commercial entrance mats exceed this when dry. Ensure any mat used in a wet entrance area is rated for wet conditions specifically.

2026 Trends: What's Changing in UK Entrance Matting

The entrance matting market has seen meaningful evolution in recent years, driven by sustainability requirements, accessibility legislation, and post-pandemic hygiene awareness:

• Recycled content matting — Public sector buyers (councils, schools, NHS) now commonly specify entrance mats with a minimum percentage of recycled rubber content. SBR rubber from recycled tyres is the standard material; look for suppliers who publish recycled content percentages.
• Wheelchair and mobility aid compatibility — The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses to make reasonable adjustments for disabled visitors. Mat pile height above 6mm can impede wheelchair movement; deep-pile entrance mats should be avoided at primary accessible entrances.
• Antimicrobial surfaces — Post-pandemic, some commercial buyers specify entrance mats with antimicrobial surface treatments. These reduce bacterial transfer from footwear and are specified for healthcare, food service, and educational settings.
• Colour-coded entrance zones — Multi-zone entrance systems using different-coloured mats to delineate pedestrian routes are growing in warehouse and logistics settings where fork-lift traffic and pedestrians share space.

Entrance Matting for Different Business Types

How Do I Measure for Entrance Matting?

Measure the width of your doorway or entrance zone first — the mat should be at least as wide as the door opening, ideally 10–15cm wider on each side. For length, use the 3–4 step rule: your mat needs to be long enough for visitors to take 3–4 full steps (approximately 1.2–1.5m minimum for medium footfall premises). For high-footfall entrances, a two-zone system with a total mat length of 3m+ is the professional specification.

Can Entrance Matting Be Used on Uneven Surfaces?

Standard flat entrance mats require a level, stable substrate. For slightly uneven surfaces (such as older stone thresholds), a rubber-backed mat with some flexibility will conform better than a rigid mat. For significantly uneven thresholds, recessed well mats are typically the professional solution, as they allow the mat frame to be levelled independently of the surrounding floor. Always ensure there is no upstand above surrounding floor level that could create a trip hazard — the DDA guidance specifies a maximum 4mm upstand for accessible entrances.

What is the Best Entrance Mat for a Pub or Bar?

Pubs and bars require entrance matting that can handle heavy moisture (rain, spilled drinks), is easy to clean, and is durable enough for weekend rush-hour footfall. A rubber ring mat or PVC link mat at the exterior handles mud and moisture; a rubber-backed coir or fabric absorber inside handles the transition to the interior. Avoid foam-core mats — beer and wet footwear will saturate them quickly. Monthly deep cleaning is essential; rubber mats handle pressure washing without damage.

See our full entrance matting UK range, including our complete guide to entrance matting types, and browse our anti-slip mats collection for stairways and wet areas.

Browse Entrance Matting at Rubberco

Rubberco supplies a wide range of entrance matting UK — from budget rubber door mats to professional-grade two-zone systems. Free UK delivery on all orders. Browse our full collection and find the right solution for your entrance.

Shop Entrance Matting

Shop Related Rubber Flooring & Matting

• Anti-Slip Mats
• Anti-Fatigue Mats
• Full Rubber Matting Range