Elevator Mats in 2025: Are They Still Worth It?

Elevator mats are rarely the first item on a facility manager’s checklist. They don’t generate revenue. They don’t impress investors. And they’re easy to overlook—until something goes wrong.

A scuffed floor, a slip incident, or an expensive repair will quickly put them back in focus.

Elevator floor coverings may seem minor, but they play a role in keeping buildings safe, clean, and presentable. In many cases, mats solve problems quietly in the background. Their absence becomes more obvious than their presence.

For commercial buildings, the case is stronger than ever. The wear from heavy foot traffic, trolleys, and equipment adds up fast. A thin floor finish isn’t built to take that on directly. In 2025,

floor matsremain a practical buffer against constant use.

What Are Elevator Mats?

Elevator mats, also called lift mats, are removable floor coverings made to fit inside elevator cars. They serve both protective and aesthetic functions.

They’re commonly made from:

• Carpet tiles or low-pile carpet: Seen in apartments, hotels, and office buildings.

• Rubber or PVC matting: Preferred in high-traffic zones such as hospitals, industrial lifts, and service elevators.

The mats are usually cut to size. Some are recessed into the elevator floor, while others sit flush on the surface with non-slipbacking.

Coir matsare not recommended for lifts. They tend to shed fibres and lose shape, which can lead to trip hazards or untidy presentation.

Do Elevator Mats Comply with 2025 Building Code Regulations?

They are not mandatory. But if installed, they must meet strict safety standards.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA)sets fire safety requirements for floor coverings inside lift cars. Clause C1.10 outlines the performance threshold for flammability, measured in critical radiant flux. Elevator mats must rate at least 2.2kW/m². Anything lower increases the risk of fire spread and fails compliance checks.

If your building uses removable floor mats in elevators, they must come with a current fire test certificate. This certificate should be readily available to fire assessors, insurers, or building surveyors.

Mats used in residential homes and private lifts aren’t covered by this standard but should still meet general safety expectations.

Why Building Managers Still Choose Elevator Mats

Their role is practical. Their impact is subtle but clear over time. In commercial settings, elevator mats still deliver value across three key areas:

Cleanliness

Lifts often serve as internal conduits between dirty and clean spaces. Shoes track in soil, grease, moisture, and dust. Without a barrier, all of that gets pushed into other areas—office carpets, apartment lobbies, retail floors.

In wet weather, water builds up fast inside a lift. People entering from pools, kitchens, garages, or driveways often bypass the entrance mat. The elevator becomes the first point of contact.

A well-chosen mat will:

• Catch grit and debris at the source

• Absorb moisture and reduce puddles

• Limit the spread of contaminants between levels

Keeping lifts clean also reduces long-term damage to the flooring beneath. Once damaged, most lift floors are expensive to restore or replace.

Safety

Slip prevention is a legal and operational priority in most commercial properties. Elevators, with their hard floors and enclosed space, become high-risk zones when wet.

Rubber-backed mats provide grip and absorb sudden foot pressure. A study published in PLOS ONE found that fall-related injuries dropped by 29% in acute care settings when patients walked on carpet instead of vinyl. In long-term care, injury risk fell by 59% when compliant flooring—such as rubber or padded surfaces—was used in place of standard flooring.

These results highlight how surface materials affect fall risk. Mats in lifts serve the same purpose: creating friction, absorbing shock, and lowering accident potential.

Fire resistance matters, too. All commercial lift mats must have a fire certificate showing they meet the minimum threshold. If they don’t, they become a liability.

Mats with curled edges or worn backing can also introduce hazards. Regular inspections are non-negotiable.

Aesthetics & Branding

An elevator often acts as the transition between first impressions and core services. A badly scuffed lift undermines a polished entryway.

Mats create a finished look. They bring uniformity to older elevators. They also help reduce the visibility of shoe prints, stains, or floor damage.

Branded logo mats are frequently used in office buildings, gyms, and hotels. They reinforce company identity or building professionalism. Personalised designs can also help distinguish service lifts from public ones.

Common Scenarios Where Elevator Mats Make a Difference

In our experience working with commercial properties across Australia, building managers often underestimate the load lifts take daily. One client in Brisbane saw a 40% drop in reported cleaning issues within three months after fitting custom mats into all lift cars. Another replaced loose vinyl tiles with fire-rated rubber-backed matting after a slip incident led to a compliance audit. These aren’t rare cases—they’re fairly typical once usage and risk are properly assessed.

Not every lift requires matting. But in high-traffic, moisture-prone, or image-sensitive environments, mats serve a clear purpose. Below are a few examples where their impact is noticeable.

1. Commercial Towers

Large office buildings see hundreds of entries and exits each day. Foot traffic wears down floor finishes fast. Elevator mats reduce abrasion and cut down cleaning time.

2. Apartment Blocks

Tenants bring in dust, water, pet hair, and grit from outdoor walkways. Lifts without mats collect that grime on the floor, which then gets spread through the building.

3. Hospitals and Care Facilities

These buildings need strict slip protection and hygiene. Elevator mats with antimicrobial surfaces and strong rubber grip are often used between wards and common areas.

4. Retail Centres

Trolleys and heavy footfall put pressure on elevator flooring. Mats reduce direct wear and make cleaning more manageable during trade hours.

5. Pools, Gyms, and Kitchens

Wet floors pose serious hazards. Buildings with internal lifts between wet zones and dry areas benefit from absorbent, fast-drying matting inside the elevator car.

How to Choose the Right Elevator Mat

Not all mats are fit for lift use. Materials, thickness, and surface texture all affect performance. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider.

Avoid mats with thick fibres, open weaves, or sharp edging. These wear out quickly, trap dirt, or become a trip hazard.

Real-world decisions often show the trade-offs that building managers face. In a Reddit discussion on choosing flooring for elevators, one user noted:

“Most buildings put a removable carpet in the elevator... Almost any tile that gets wet will be slippery. Most buildings I have seen with this concern have a custom rug made to fit the floor area that has a rubberised bottom for traction.” — Source: Reddit

This reflects a common sentiment—hard surfaces may look cleaner but tend to be more slippery and less forgiving underfoot. Custom-fit mats strike a balance between safety, upkeep, and appearance.

Maintaining and Replacing Elevator Mats

Maintenance is low-effort if handled routinely. Ignoring a mat for too long leads to faster floor wear and greater slip risk.

Basic Maintenance Checklist:

• Vacuum mats daily in high-use buildings

• Inspect for curling edges, frayed fibres, or worn backing

• Remove mats weekly for a deeper clean underneath

• Replace any mat lacking fire certification or grip

• Store extra mats on-site to rotate during cleaning cycles

Mats in commercial lifts should be checked quarterly as part of general facility inspections. Any sign of waterlogging, poor grip, or odour means replacement is overdue.

Final Thoughts: Are Elevator Mats Still Worth It in 2025?

They cost less than floor repairs. They reduce risk without drawing attention. And they support the overall appearance of your building.

Elevator mats remain relevant because they do their job without disruption. They solve problems related to safety, hygiene, and image—three areas that directly affect tenant satisfaction and building performance.

In buildings where presentation matters and traffic is constant, skipping elevator matting creates more issues than it saves.

Get Help From a Mat Expert

Need to check compliance? Looking for a fire-rated mat? Want to match your building’s style?

Our team can assess your current mats or recommend replacements. We work with commercial properties, strata managers, builders, and facility maintenance teams Australia-wide.

Call 1300 628 746 or start a live chat with our team. Custom sizing and fire-certified options are available. Site visits can be arranged upon request.