Floor Mats for Hire: Renting vs. Buying
Floor mats serve multiple purposes in commercial, industrial, and residential spaces. They improve safety, protect flooring, and contribute to branding in businesses. Some situations call for long-term use, while others require a temporary solution.
Renting can be practical for short-term needs, while purchasing may offer better value over time. This guide explores both options, highlighting key advantages and recommendations for rental services. For those interested in high-quality mats built for long-term use, Matshop’s selection provides a variety of choices.
Why Rent Floor Mats?
Temporary needs, limited budgets, and maintenance-free convenience often make rental services an appealing choice. Events, workplaces, and industrial sites all benefit from short-term mat solutions.
Common Uses for Rental Mats
- Events and Venues – Trade shows, exhibitions, and outdoor festivals require temporary flooring solutions.
- Workplace Safety – Anti-slip mats help reduce fall risks in wet or high-traffic areas.
- Construction and Industrial Sites – Heavy-duty ground protection mats provide stability for vehicles and equipment.
- Branding for Promotions – Custom logo mats create a strong brand presence at pop-up shops or corporate events.
Types of Rental Floor Mats
- Entrance Mats – Trap dirt and moisture at building entry points.
- Anti-Fatigue Mats – Designed for workplaces where employees stand for long hours.
- Safety Message Mats – Reinforce safety protocols in industrial environments.
- Bog Mats – Provide temporary roadways for vehicles and heavy equipment in outdoor settings.
Temporary solutions work well for businesses with frequent changes in setup or location. For those seeking a permanent option, Matshop’s custom mats offer long-lasting alternatives.
Recommended Floor Mat Rental Companies
Several rental providers offer quality matting services. Two stand out for their reliability and range of options.
Kennards Hire – Bog Mats & Ground Protection
Kennards Hire supplies bog mats designed for events, construction sites, and conservation projects. These mats create stable pathways, allowing machinery and foot traffic to move without damaging the ground.
Why Choose Kennards Hire?
- Multiple sizes are available for various site conditions.
- Sturdy design supports vehicles and heavy equipment.
- Protects grass, soil, and sensitive surfaces from wear.
For businesses or event organisers needing temporary ground protection, Kennards Hire provides a practical solution. More details are available on Kennards’ official website.
ALSCO – General Floor Mat Rentals
ALSCO provides entrance, safety, and anti-fatigue mats, catering to commercial and industrial spaces. Their rental service includes professional laundering, with mats replaced regularly.
Notable Features of ALSCO’s Mat Rental Service
- Branded Logo Mats – Custom designs for businesses that require brand visibility.
- Regular Maintenance – Cleaning and replacement handled on schedule.
- Flexible Options – Suitable for offices, retail stores, and hospitality venues.
For businesses seeking a convenient matting solution, ALSCO offers a reliable service. More information is available on ALSCO’s website.
Renting vs. Buying: Which Option Works Best?
The decision to rent or buy depends on budget, frequency of use, and long-term considerations. Both options offer distinct benefits.
Advantages of Renting Floor Mats
Lower Initial Costs
Rentals require minimal upfront investment. Instead of purchasing mats outright, businesses can spread costs over time.
Hassle-Free Maintenance
Rental providers manage cleaning and replacements, making it a practical choice for businesses that prefer an outsourced approach.
Short-Term Flexibility
For temporary setups or seasonal changes, renting provides adaptability without commitment.
Advantages of Buying Floor Mats
Long-Term Savings
Weekly rental fees accumulate over time. A mat that costs $10 per week can exceed $500 in a year. Purchasing eliminates ongoing payments.
Higher Quality Options
Mats designed for ownership often feature thicker materials and greater durability than rental versions. Purchased mats hold their structure and maintain effectiveness longer.
Customisation and Brand Control
Buying allows for custom sizes, colours, and branding that may not be available through rental services. Businesses seeking full control over appearance and performance benefit from this flexibility.
For those considering an investment, Matshop’s selection of premium mats ensures durability and long-term value.
When to Rent vs. When to Buy
Every situation calls for a different approach. A temporary event has different requirements than a long-term business installation. Comparing costs and long-term value can guide the decision.
Situations Where Renting Works Best
Short-Term Events
Concerts, trade shows, and corporate gatherings—these events demand practical flooring solutions. Renting removes the need for long-term storage while providing mats that fit the occasion.
Temporary Safety Measures
Construction zones and high-traffic workplaces often need an interim matting solution before a permanent installation is in place. Anti-fatigue or slip-resistant mats keep workers and visitors safe during this period.
Frequent Replacements Needed
Businesses requiring a constant rotation of clean mats may benefit from rental services. Hotels, restaurants, and retail stores often opt for professional cleaning and replacements to maintain a polished appearance.
Situations Where Buying Is the Smarter Choice
Long-Term Use
A single mat purchase can replace months or years of rental costs. Offices, warehouses, and industrial facilities often benefit from ownership since mats remain in the same location for extended periods.
Recurring Events
Festivals, seasonal promotions, and conferences that take place year after year can justify purchasing. Mats can be stored and reused, keeping costs down over time.
Aesthetic & Branding Control
Owning mats means having control over quality, branding, and consistency. Businesses that invest in branded logo mats gain a professional appearance tailored to their specifications. Matshop’s custom floor mats provide long-lasting branding solutions.
Caring for Floor Mats: Rental vs. Ownership
Clean mats last longer and perform better. Rental services handle maintenance, but purchased mats require regular care to stay in good condition.
Rental Mat Maintenance
- Providers clean mats regularly, ensuring a fresh supply.
- Businesses can exchange mats based on wear and tear.
- No extra effort is needed for upkeep.
Owned Mat Maintenance
- Entrance mats: Regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning prevent dirt buildup.
- Anti-fatigue mats: Wiping with a damp cloth maintains surface traction.
- Bog mats: Hosing down after outdoor use removes mud and debris.
For a full breakdown of cleaning techniques, check out Matshop’s guide on door mat cleaning.
Final Thoughts: Rent or Buy?
The choice depends on cost, convenience, and intended use. A one-time event might call for a rental, while a long-term investment often makes ownership the better choice.
Rentals provide flexibility and convenience while purchasing guarantees better control over quality and long-term savings. For those considering high-quality, durable options, Matshop offers a range of mats designed to meet various needs.
Have questions? The team at Matshop is always ready to help find the right mat for your space.
To rent or not to rent, that is the question.
If you’ve got a one-off event or special project coming up, you might be considering renting mats, instead of buying. There are pros and cons to both, so you should consider your needs and goals very carefully.
Being a mat shop, we don’t hire out mats, but we can point you in the direction of the people that do. Here are our recommendations for rental companies with floor mats for hire:
Bog mats for hire: Kennards Hire
To hire bog mats, we only ever recommend one place: Kennards Hire. They stock grounds mats in various sizes and hire them at a very reasonable rate.
For events, bog mats are the best way to move vehicles and machinery across delicate grass. They form a sturdy temporary road that protects the ground from damage while also providing a safe route for heavy and expensive machinery.
In conservation, ground protection mats allow access for studying and repair, without compromising the site being conserved.
Floor mats for hire: ALSCO
For general matting rental, ALSCO is our recommendation. ALSCO offers matting to suit a wide range of applications, including anti fatigue mats, entrance mats and safety message mats.
One of our favourite things about ALSCO is that they offer branded logo mat rental. You don’t have to worry about cleaning because ALSCO mats are freshly laundered once a week and replaced with another mat while you wait.
Should I buy or rent floors mats?
Deciding whether to rent or buy can take time. You need to consider how much you want to spend, as well as what you want to achieve from the project you need your matting for.
Customers often think they’re better off renting if they only need a mat temporarily, but this is not always the case. Here are some of the benefits of both options:
Benefits of renting
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Convenience
The main non-financial benefit of renting your floor mats is that you don’t have to be responsible for cleaning. You also don’t have to worry about your mat breaking or becoming ineffective, as that responsibility lies with the rental company.
Overall, if you don’t have the time or money to organise cleaning and replacing mats yourself, renting is an easier option.
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Lower initial cost
The other – arguably more attractive – benefit of renting your mats is that it costs less initially. You can hire out non slip mats for less than $10 a week, with more specialist mats costing a little more.
That figure seems great when you compare it to the cost of buying a similar mat brand new. Our smallest branded non slip mats cost around $100, and you are likely to need something larger.
Benefits of buying new mats
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Cost
You might be thinking ‘didn’t you have cost on the rental list?!’ but the cost-saving benefits of buying your own mats are different.
While the $10 a week rental fee seems much better than the 10-100 times more you might spend on your own mats, bought mats do tend to save you money in the long run. Depending on how long you need your mats for, that $10 a week will cost you $1000 in just under 2 years.
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Quality
Cost aside, buying your own mats outright guarantees you a better-quality product. Your rental mat will definitely not be new, and it usually shows in the quality of the mat. Brand new mats look fresh and smart, and you can clean them as often as you like.
Rental mats are thinner than those you can buy because they are cleaned in a washing machine that needs them to be flexible. This means they wear out over time and there is no guarantee you will get a good quality mat.
When to rent?
There are a couple of scenarios where we would recommend renting over buying.
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One-off, short-term events
If you only need your mat for a short time, the rental fee may not have time to add up to much. Work out how much you are likely to spend in total and compare this to the cost of the mat if you buy it outright.
If the cost of the new mat is significantly higher than your total rental cost, a rental might be a cost-effective option.
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Temporary safety feature
In areas that have not yet had their permanent safety features installed, renting safety matting is a good interim solution. For example, while you wait for non slip flooring to be installed on a ramp, temporary matting can prevent accidents.
If you are waiting for your fancy safety signs to be delivered, safety message matting is a great alternative.
When to buy?
We generally recommend buying new matting for any of the following applications:
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Long-term installation
As with renting, you can work out which is the more cost-effective option by adding up the total you expect to pay over the entire rental contract. If the cost of buying the mat is anywhere close to or less, you are best off buying a nice shiny new one.
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Recurring events
Even if your events a typically short-lived, you still might be better off buying your mats – as long as you have somewhere to store them. Using your own mats repeatedly lets you maintain brand consistency as well as control over your image.
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Style-conscious applications
The main benefit of buying mats is the quality. Rentals are less well maintained in every industry but this is especially true when it comes to matting. Older mats tend to ripple and look worn much faster than mats you own – which is understandable as they get a lot of use!
If you want to clean your own mats every day, you can. But if you rent them, this might not be an option. Cleaning your mat is easy, but make sure you follow the right direction for your material. Coir, for example, needs to be dried completely before it’s put back to use. For a general overview of mat cleaning, check out our door mat cleaning instructions.
Rent or buy: it’s your choice.
We get it, sometimes you just need to hire a mat. We won’t hold it against you, and we always want to be as helpful as possible. So, hopefully, one of the businesses listed on this page can help you with your mat hiring needs.
But, if you ever need to buy a mat outright – you know where to look. Our friendly matxperts are always on hand to help you with your mat buying need. So, give us a call on 1300 628 746 or reach out using the chat function below.
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