Which Doormat Is Right For You?

One of the fastest ways of livening up your entryway patio or porch is with an alluring entryway mat. Mats give a warm, snazzy inviting component while attempting to keep your housekeeper.

There are various considerations, depending upon what you're searching for. 

Correct Size

You’ll first need to pick a size. Start by measuring the width of your door, including trim and sidelights.

Indoor and outdoor mats should be 80% percent of the width of your door or more to provide proper surface coverage and attractive visual proportions. A standard front door is 3 feet wide, which means the mat should be at least 29 inches wide, and a mat in front of double doors works best when at least 57½ inches wide.

If the door swings over the mat, make sure it freely swings without catching or snagging. Otherwise, the door could scrape, snag or damage the mat. Most doors have clearance from a finished floor, but measure yours when it is open – especially if it has weather stripping or swings outside – to be sure.

Material and Maintenance

Mats with a hand-tufted design should be vacuumed regularly and cleaned with a mild soap/detergent.

Coir is yarn created from the fibrous outer husk of coconut shells. The naturally absorbent material is woven into a dense pile for a rough texture that helps scrape dirt and water from shoes. Coir mats are typically thicker and heavier than synthetic or fabric mats, and are designed for outdoor use. 

Over time they can fade, and the natural color can stain stone, concrete and chemically treated surfaces (including slate, granite, cobblestone and limestone). We recommend that you place your coir mat in an indoor or covered outdoor area and always use a rug pad with it. Coir mats will also shed a bit at first and should be periodically brushed or shaken out to remove loose fibres and prevent dirt buildup.

Rubber mats, typically used outdoors, are great at trapping dirt and debris while providing a non-slip surface. They also resist fading and are extremely easy to rinse clean with a hose. While rubber naturally resists water and works well in most weather, it should not be kept in freezing conditions for long periods of time, as prolonged exposure to cold can cause it to crack.

Final Thoughts

For the best of both worlds, use an outdoor and an indoor mat at the same door. The outdoor mat will act as the initial line of defence, while the indoor mat will perform the final cleanup. Mats can also be layered to create a framing effect, and you can change out one or both of the mats periodically to create a new look. Two mats of different sizes but the same proportions work best with a thinner, larger mat on the bottom and a smaller, heavier or thicker mat on top. To prevent moving and clasping, ensure the two mats have a non-slip back or a cushion, and attempt to utilise a heavier mat on top.

Pretty much any printed plan will ultimately show its age, and weighty traffic will wear out any material over the long haul, making the surface and shading change. With regular cleaning and by rotating or swapping out mats to reflect the season, you’ll enjoy each mat even longer.