A carpeted mat can be broken down into three basic components: the surface (the carpet), the backing material, and the backing surface.
Difference between a mat and a rug. Rugs are typically used for decorative purposes; mats tend to be used more functionally. Carpeted mats are backed, typically with vinyl or rubber to minimize movement, and while they can be decorative, they are generally placed to serve a specific purpose – to protect floors and prevent tracking, to provide added slip resistance in slick or wet areas, or in the case of anti-fatigue mats to provide comfort and reduce standing fatigue.
The Surface
Carpet comes in a variety of materials, both natural and synthetic. Natural fibers like cotton offer excellent absorbency. Synthetic fibers like nylon, polypropylene, and polyester constitute most of all carpet sold because they offer a variety of benefits over natural fibers, including their resiliency, colorfastness (fade resistance), and their natural resistance to staining.
Nylon is the most versatile of the synthetic fibers. It can be used to produce many styles, from plush, luxurious cut pile carpets to low maintenance loop carpets, like Berber. It’s a resilient fiber that holds its twist well, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas with lots of activity.
Polypropylene fibers will not absorb dye so they must be solution dyed. Since solution-dying builds the color into the structure of the fiber, polypropylene is naturally resistant to fading and staining.
Polyester offers the versatility of nylon with the colorfastness of polypropylene. However, “polyester” is a broad material category, and not all polyesters are created equal. Our polyester of choice is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET offers un-matched stain resistance, the versatility to produce plush cut pile carpets, and it’s one of the most eco-friendly carpet choices.
The Backing Material
Carpeted mats can be backed with a variety of materials. Most commonly, PVC (vinyl) or rubber. While these materials may look similar, they perform very differently.
· Vinyl mats may perform suitably in a low/light traffic area, over time vinyl is prone to curling, warping, and cracking, especially in extreme temperatures.
· Rubber mats are best for high-traffic and heavy use areas. Unlike vinyl, rubber has no memory. It can be rolled and stored, yet still lay flat when placed on the floor. Rubber can endure extreme temperatures.
Two primary types of rubber used for backing carpeted mats:
SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) and nitrile rubber. Nitrile is oil-resistant and can withstand the rigors of repeated washing and drying. If your mat will be exposed to oil or grease, or if you are planning to have your mat commercially laundered, you will need to choose a mat backed with nitrile rubber.
Backing Thickness: We offer SBR rubber in one thickness, 48-mil while nitrile rubber in three primary thicknesses of 52-mil, 65-mil, and 90-mil; however, select products are available in 100-mil nitrile. The thicker and heavier the rubber, the more stability the mat has.
The Backing Surface
The backing surface of your mat should be chosen based on the type of flooring the mat will be placed on. And regardless of the backing-flooring pairing, the mat should always be placed on a dry floor.
· Smooth surface like marble, tile, or wood performs best with a smooth backing.
· Carpeted surfaces perform best with a cleated backing. Cleats are small nubs that grip the carpeted surface to minimize movement.
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