High-performance Matting Systems

For every pound of dirt that gets tracked into a facility, experts say it costs roughly $500 to remove it. Thus, preventing unwanted dirt, debris and contaminants from entering a facility and doing its damage can be dramatically lowered with the implementation of a high performance matting system.

A high performance matting system is broken down into three distinct parts. The first matting type in the system, scraper mats, are used outside of the entryway and scrape debris off of shoes as well as begin the removal of moisture.

Studies show that 70 to 80 percent of the dirt and debris that enters a facility comes through the front door by way of building occupants and visitors’ shoes. So, scraper mats are best placed outside the main entranceway of a facility.

Following scraper mats are wiper/scraper mats, which clean shoe bottoms just inside the doorway and remove soil as well as any remaining moisture. Designed to clean shoes and absorb moisture, wiper/scraper mats are more aggressive than a wiper. This type of matting works best when used following a scraper mat or in conjunction with a wiper mat, the final mat in the three-piece system.

Wiper mats, placed inside the facility, remove any remaining contaminants from shoe bottoms so that the first steps on a hard surface floor are clean, dry and safe.

The upfront cost of purchasing a high performance matting system can be costly depending on the number of entrances a facility has. However, without an effective matting system that covers at least 15 feet in length from the entranceway, more work will be required from the cleaning personnel.