Choosing the right rubber floor mat for your home can seem daunting, but that shouldn’t be the case.
With the little guidance I am about to offer, I hope you’ll find the right rubber floor mat for your home.
Rubber floor mats prevent slipping and absorb impact, relieve fatigue, and increase comfort underfoot. You can use them in many areas including kitchens, offices, gyms, and stables.
Use the following guidelines to choose the right rubber floor mat for your home.
What you should know when Cutting Horse Stall Mats
Factors to Choose the Right Rubber Floor Mat
- Size
The first thing you should do is decide on where you want to place your mat. Many people use rubber mats in different locations such as a greenhouse, garage, stable, or any other place that needs the mat.
One of the finest reasons you would consider buying a rubber floor mat is its comfort.
If you spend much time standing in one posture, your joints may hurt. A rubber floor mat helps relieve stress on your joints.
- Purpose
Figure out the reason you want to invest in rubber floor mats. Consider what you want to achieve after using these products.
- Color
Rubber floor mats exist in different colors. Choose the one that suits your current home décor. Choose also the color suitable for the location you want to place your mat.
- Company/Brand
Always ensure you purchase all your products from an esteemed company. This ensures that you get assisted in case you place the wrong order. It will also be easy to replace if the wrong size mat is delivered.
- Durability
Rubber makes a strong material that withstands heavy weight, any intense use, and high foot traffic. I prefer this material because it is cheap and long-lasting.
- Convenience
Choose a rubber floor mat that is lightweight and portable. This way, you can move them around easily.
- Appearance
Standard rubber mats have a smooth finish that makes your gym or workplace look more professional.
What material is the best for floor mats?
The most commonly used materials for making floor mats are rubber, vinyl, and carpet fiber. You can choose any material for your matting products depending on how you intend to use them.
Matting companies use different materials to produce a variety of floor mats. Some mats are produced from a combination of one or two materials to ensure their proper functionality.
Outdoor entrance mats, for instance, are made from a combination of two or three materials to ensure they offer traction on slippery floors and are absorbent.
I will take you through each of these matting materials and their properties for you to know the one that suits your specific matting application.
Must Read! How Do I Dry A Floor Mat In 2022? (Easy And Cheap Steps)
Rubber
Rubber floor mats are made from natural rubber. They are very tough and long-lasting and are recommended for crowded places such as commercial establishments.
Rubber floor mats are budget friendly and useful in providing safety for your floors. They come in different tasty designs. One drawback is that they do not absorb moisture.
Rubber floor mats usually contain small surface ranges that direct moisture and water away from the surface of your mat.
Vinyl
A plastic polymer called vinyl is used to produce vinyl floor mats. Their cost of production is very low, making them less expensive.
Vinyl floor mats are produced in all kinds of designs and surface patterns. These patterns make them look beautiful and ensure they provide traction.
Like rubber floor mats, vinyl floor mats do not absorb water.
Carpet Fibers
Carpet floor mats have a clothing fabric that contains tough fibers on the surface. They come in different colors and excellent sewing patterns.
One major advantage of carpet floor mats is that they are absorbent. They are commonly used on wet surfaces.
Carpet floor mats are very colorful and cozy. You can use them to decorate the interior of your home.
Pros of Rubber Flooring
Rubber floor mats have several specific benefits;
- Rubber is resistant to heavy traffic and tough workouts.
- Numerous style options.
- Perfect fit for your space
- They are easy and quick to install due to their lightweight and interlocking design.
- No adhesives required
- Easy to remove, store and install in another location
- In case damage occurs, only one piece requires to be restored rather than the overall floor
- They are easy to clean
- They are affordable and long-lasting
Cons of Rubber Gym Mats
Many professional establishments use rubber mats, such as commercial gyms, school gyms, and hockey arenas. However, they’ve got their own disadvantages, such as;
- Installation of rubber floor mats in large spaces is time-consuming
- The floor may not look completely seamless
- Seams sometimes let in water on the subfloor
- Smooth rubber floor mats become slippery when wet
- The rubbery smell after installation may take a couple of months
- Sometimes, the rubber floor mats have edges that are jagged or too rough for use
- Rubber material is not resistant to fire
- Rubber floor mats are not absorbent
- The mats are likely to shift when one is working out
Can You Put Car Mats In A Washing Machine Or Dryer For A 5-Min Quick Wash?
Where to use rubber gym mats
- Fitness studios
- Residential /commercial gyms
- Locker rooms
- Weight rooms
- Sports arenas
- Under exercise equipment
Rubber mats for animal use: Horse Stall Mats
Rubber mats are currently used for barns, horse stalls, trailers, and dog kennels. Animal flooring should be durable so as to withstand the heavy traffic of paws and hooves from large horses.
Comfort and safety. Rubber mats provide a comfortable bed for animals and keep them warm from cold floors.
Non–porous. Rubber flooring does not harbor or grow bacteria.
Low maintenance cost. Rubber mats are easy to clean, keeping the animal mats looking good.
Where to Use Animal Rubber Mats
- Horse stalls
- Trailers
- Barns
- Doggy daycares
- Animal training facilities
How To Install Weathertech Mats Like A Pro (In 10 Simple Steps In 2022)
How Do I Install a Rubber Mat?
Rubber is simple to install. You don’t need adhesives to install. You can however use one with adhesives or some double-sided tapes if you experience slippage.
You need a couple of helpers when installing rubber floor mats in large spaces and commercial institutions.
Interlocking rubber mat kits and horse stall mats are also easily put together. A layout describing how to position your mat in the stall is provided in each kit.
Rubber Mat Cleaning and Maintenance
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose debris, crumbs, or dust. You can sometimes clean the rubber mats with a mop using water and soap solution.
Note: Do not use oil-based cleaners or any solvent such as Lysol, Murphy’s oil soap, pine-sol, WD40, paint thinner, etc.
The Bottom Line
Rubber floor mats are a good way to keep your home surfaces safe.
They are used in high-traffic areas, contain durable material, absorb shock, and are water resistant.
Choose the one you feel confident in.