Door Mat Backings – Vinyl or Rubber?

So, one of the questions we are often asked is what is the difference between a vinyl backed doormat and a rubber backed door mat?

Vinyl Backed Door Mats

Vinyl backing is really used in order to keep the mat light weight and has the added advantage of keeping down the cost of the mat. As this type of mat backing is smooth, it is more suited to hard floors as on carpets it can be prone to ‘creeping’ across the floor. Vinyl is made using PVC so will withstand damp conditions and withstand exposure to many chemicals.

Rubber Backed Doormats

Rubber backing comes in two main types, latex and nitrile. Latex backing again is more suited to hard floors and again helps to keep the mat lightweight for easy lifting. Latex back mats are usually suitable for occasional machine washing. Nitrile rubber backing is much heavier and is used where a much more robust mat is required in busy entrance areas. Nitrile rubber backed door mats can withstand frequent machine washing and many are also suitable for tumble drying.

Additionally rubber backing is available in 2 types, smooth and cleated. Smooth rubber backing is suitable for hard floors and will help to prevent the mat from skidding on hard floors. Cleated rubber backed doormats are suitable for both hard floors and carpeted floors. A cleated backing has hundreds of rubber nodules which stand proud of the backing. These cleats help to grip onto carpet to minimise mat movement. Another advantage of a cleated backing is where the mat is replaced after a floor has been mopped and not completely dried. The cleats allow for a certain amount of air to circulate beneath the mat helping to avoid the growth of mould and mildew.

So there we have it, depending on your requirements you can choose a mat backing to suit.

If you require any further information about which door mat backing will be right for your particular needs, please contact us using the ‘contact us’ link at the top of the page.