What Is Entrance Matting? UK Expert Guide 2026
What Is Entrance Matting? UK Expert Guide 2026
What Is Entrance Matting?
Entrance matting is specialist flooring installed at building entrances to remove dirt, moisture, and debris from footwear before it enters the interior. Entrance mats trap soil and water in their surface texture or fibres, preventing contamination from being tracked deeper into the building. Effective entrance matting removes up to 85% of incoming dirt at the door, protecting interior floors, reducing cleaning costs, and improving slip safety.
Also called entrance mats, barrier matting, door mats, or threshold matting, entrance matting is used in commercial offices, retail stores, schools, hospitals, hotels, and industrial facilities across the UK.
Types of Entrance Matting
There are five main types of entrance matting used in UK buildings:
- Coir entrance matting — made from coconut husks, coir scrapes mud and coarse debris from shoe soles. Best for outdoor use or covered entrances
- Rubber entrance matting — durable, waterproof, heavy-duty mats for high-footfall commercial entrances. Ribbed or studded surface provides effective dirt removal and excellent wet weather traction
- Carpet barrier mats — textile-surface mats that absorb moisture and fine particles after the initial scraping zone. Best positioned as the second mat inside the entrance
- Rubber-backed carpet mats — combined scraping and moisture absorption in one mat. Popular in retail and office entrances
- Drainage matting — modular rubber mats with open drainage structure for wet environments like pool surrounds, changing rooms, and wash-down areas
How Much Entrance Matting Do You Need?
BS 7953 (the British Standard for entrance flooring) recommends a minimum of 2.1 metres of matting depth in the direction of travel for commercial buildings. This equates to 5–7 footsteps on the mat surface. Larger buildings with very high footfall may need 4–6 metres of combined matting zones across two or three separate mat areas.
| Building Type | Recommended Mat Depth | Best Type |
|---|---|---|
| Small office / shop | 2.1m minimum | Rubber entrance mat or coir mat |
| Large retail / supermarket | 4–6m | Two-stage: scraper mat + barrier mat |
| Hotel / hospitality | 3–4m | Decorative carpet barrier mat |
| School / leisure centre | 2.1–4m | Rubber entrance matting, heavy duty |
| Factory / industrial | 2.1m+ | Heavy-duty ribbed rubber mat |
BS 7953 and Occupiers Liability
BS 7953 is the British Standard for entrance flooring systems. Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984, building owners and managers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent slipping hazards to visitors. Compliance with BS 7953 entrance matting guidance is considered best practice and demonstrates due diligence if a slip incident occurs.
Key BS 7953 requirements:
- Minimum 2.1m mat depth in direction of travel
- Slip-resistant surface when wet (pendulum test value PTV 36+)
- Mat edges flush with surrounding floor or chamfered to reduce trip risk
- Regular maintenance to keep mat effective (weekly vacuuming minimum)
Rubber vs Coir Entrance Matting
The choice between rubber and coir entrance matting depends on the entrance environment:
| Feature | Rubber Entrance Mat | Coir Entrance Mat |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | 10–15 years | 2–5 years |
| Wet weather performance | Excellent | Good (absorbs water but can become soggy) |
| Dirt scraping | Good (ribbed/studded) | Excellent (aggressive fibre texture) |
| Indoor use | Yes | Best for covered outdoor areas only |
| BS 7953 compliant | Yes (when correctly specified) | Yes |
| Price | £15–45/m² | £8–25/m² |
Browse Rubberco Entrance Matting
Explore our full range of commercial entrance matting, including heavy-duty rubber entrance mats, coir matting rolls, and barrier mats: Entrance Matting UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an entrance mat and a barrier mat?
An entrance mat is any mat placed at a building entrance to capture dirt and moisture. A barrier mat is specifically a mat designed to form a barrier against soil and water ingress — it is positioned inside the entrance, typically as the second mat zone after an outdoor scraper mat, to absorb residual moisture and fine particles. All barrier mats are entrance mats, but not all entrance mats are designed as barrier mats.
Do entrance mats prevent slips?
Yes — effective entrance matting is one of the most important slip prevention measures in commercial buildings. Wet hard floors at building entrances are a leading cause of slip accidents in the UK. A properly specified, maintained entrance mat removes water from footwear before it is transferred to the interior floor, dramatically reducing the slip risk. This is why BS 7953 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 both highlight entrance matting as a key control measure.
How often should entrance mats be replaced?
Quality rubber entrance matting should last 10–15 years in commercial use. Coir matting typically needs replacing every 2–5 years. The functional test is whether the mat is still effectively capturing dirt — if you can see it is saturated, has lost its surface texture, or no longer holds fibres securely, it needs replacing. A worn entrance mat is not just ineffective — it becomes a trip hazard in its own right.
Shop Entrance Matting & Related Products
Ready to specify or buy entrance matting? Browse our full range:
- Entrance Matting UK — Commercial door mats & entrance systems
- Anti-Slip Mats — Safety-rated slip prevention for entrances and walkways
- Anti-Fatigue Mats — For reception areas and standing positions
For full specification guidance, see our Entrance Matting UK: Complete 2026 Commercial Buyer's Guide.
See our full range of rubber matting UK including entrance matting, commercial door mats and heavy-duty barrier matting for high-traffic entrances.
