Wet Weather Entrance Mats: Choosing the Right Mat for Rainy Conditions
Rain brings hazards through your door. Water, mud, and grit stick to shoes and wheels. Once inside, that mess leads to slippery surfaces, dirty floors, and potential injuries. The simple addition of a well-placed wet weather mat can prevent slips and reduce maintenance costs.
Shops, schools, office buildings, and apartment complexes all face the same issue during storms. One person with wet shoes is enough to create a trail. Multiply that by hundreds of people daily and you get soaked entryways, cleaning bills, and safety risks.
What Makes a Good Wet Weather Mat?
A wet weather mat needs to do more than just sit at the door. It must actively trap water, stay in place, and resist wear. Below are the key features to assess:
Moisture Removal:
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Surface materials like polypropylene and nylon wick water from shoes.
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Scraper fibres help remove mud and debris.
Slip Resistance:
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Mats should stay flat and grip the surface beneath, even when wet.
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A poor backing system turns the mat into a hazard.
Durability:
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The mat must hold up under trolleys, prams, and daily foot traffic.
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Edging should stay intact and not curl over time.
Drying Time:
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Some mats need hanging space. Others dry quickly on their own.
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Choose based on your available storage and drying setup.
Compatibility:
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Not all mats suit polished surfaces or carpets.
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The right backing prevents slippage or water collection underneath.
Wet Weather Mat Types Based on Installation Style
Different locations and foot traffic levels call for different mat types. Choose a format that fits the entry point and is easy to manage in poor weather.
Permanent options need professional installation but perform better under constant use. Temporary mats are ideal for small shops or places that only need protection in wet conditions.
| Mat Type | Description | Best Use Case |
| Recessed Mats | Built into a floor well. Flush with surface. Permanent installation. | High-traffic buildings like shopping centres. |
| Surface-Laid | Rolled out and placed on top of the floor. Portable and easy to store. | Temporary wet weather response. |
| Modular Systems | Interlocking tiles or panels. Custom layouts, scalable in size. | Wide or irregular entryways. |
Traffic Volume and Mat Selection
One of the fastest ways to narrow down options is to classify your building by traffic level. High-volume entries require stronger mats, larger coverage, and better drainage.
High Traffic:
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Examples: Large shopping centres, public transport stations, schools with over 500 students
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Mat Requirements: Industrial strength, recessed or anchored surface mats, layered matting systems
Medium Traffic:
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Examples: Local restaurants, petrol stations, community centres
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Mat Requirements: Durable surface mats with non-slip backing, reasonable drying times
Low Traffic:
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Examples: Small offices, convenience stores, boutique retail
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Mat Requirements: Lightweight mats, fast drying, easy to roll up and store
Choosing too light a mat in a high-volume area leads to early wear and poor performance. Using a heavy-duty mat in a low-traffic site may be unnecessary and harder to manage.
Placement Considerations for Maximum Effectiveness
Mat performance depends as much on placement as on product quality. Water can enter in different ways depending on building layout and exposure.
Exterior Placement (Exposed):
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Needs heavy-duty scraper mats with drainage.
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Must tolerate full saturation.
Exterior Placement (Undercover):
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Requires moderate moisture absorption and grip.
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Exposure is limited but still needs drainage.
Interior Entryway:
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Absorbent carpet-topped mats work best here.
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Acts as the final stage in drying footwear.
Surface Types Matter:
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Porcelain tiles need suction backing.
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Carpet requires grippers.
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Concrete or stone works best with weighty mats or textured rubber backings.
In multi-mat setups, exterior mats remove grit and bulk water. Interior mats finish the job.
Backing Types and Grip Performance
Backing prevents mats from shifting, curling, or aquaplaning—especially when water gets underneath. Selecting the wrong backing can undo all other benefits.
Common Backing Types:
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Suction Cup Backing:
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Ideal for smooth tiles or polished concrete.
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Holds firm even when floors are wet.
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Raised Pattern Backing:
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Provides channels for water to escape.
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Helps stop mats from skidding when water pools underneath.
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Gripper Backing:
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Best suited for carpeted areas.
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Prevents sliding on soft or fibrous flooring.
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Choosing the right backing means matching it to the surface, not just the mat style. Slippage is a common complaint when mats aren't correctly paired to floor types.
Drying, Maintenance, and Storage Tips
Leaving a wet mat rolled up will damage it. Moisture trapped inside encourages mould, odours, and warping. Drying must happen before storage.
Steps to Dry Properly:
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Lay mats flat in a dry, ventilated area.
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Hang if possible—this speeds up the process.
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Leave them for at least 24–48 hours depending on mat thickness.
Storage Advice:
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Avoid folding. Always roll the mat.
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Use Matshop storage racks or mat rollers.
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Keep in a dry space away from direct heat.
Neglecting proper drying reduces the mat’s usable life. Careful handling makes a difference, especially during back-to-back rainy days.
Special Consideration: Can Coir Mats Be Used in Wet Weather?
Coir mats are made from coconut fibre and offer a traditional aesthetic, but not all are suitable for rain. Standard coir absorbs water and becomes soggy. Over time, that leads to breakdown, mildew, and odour.
Some variants are treated to withstand occasional moisture. Others are backed with rubber to protect floors. Still, these should be used under cover. Full exposure will shorten their life.
For outdoor areas in wet weather, use rubber-backed synthetic fibre mats instead. Coir is best reserved for covered areas or dry days unless otherwise specified.
Why Choose Matshop for Wet Weather Mats
Matshop supplies heavy-duty mats built for Australian conditions. Products are tested for slip resistance, moisture control, and longevity. Sizes are customisable and available with multiple backing options.
Support comes from a team that understands floor safety and entryway management. If you have a particular surface, entrance design, or weather challenge, there's a product to match.
Deliveries are fast, and help is local. Each mat is made with practical use in mind, from shopping centres to small offices.
Matshop manufactures a complete range of wet weather mats that are designed to remove moisture from feet and wheeled traffic as they pass over.
Do you want your mat installed into a recess, or are you looking for a temporary mat that can be rolled out when the rain comes? We have a wet weather mat for every floor type, every traffic volume, and every quantity of water that might enter your building.
When choosing the correct door mat for the building's entrance is it important to identify the following:
- What volume of traffic will pass over the mat on its busiest day
- Where the mat will be positioned (externally or internally; outdoors under cover or outdoors exposed to all the elements)
- What type of surface the mat will be placed on (porcelain tiles, terrazzo, polished concrete, raw concrete, slate, marble or recessed into the floor)
- Whether or not water might get under the mat
- How you intend to drain or dry out the mat
- Where you will be storing the mat
- Who will be in charge of bringing the mat out when adverse weather is predicted
Wet weather door mats can be broken down into three traffic categories: high, medium and low.
High traffic mats are typically used in large shopping centres (usually with at least one major retailer) or large schools (usually with over 500 students). Medium traffic businesses include neighbourhood shopping centres, service stations and restaurants. Low traffic applications might be a small corner store or takeaway shop.
Our door mat selection includes a range of backing patterns suitable for different floor surfaces. Suction cup backing prevents movement on smooth and shiny floors; raised pattern backing prevents the mats from aquaplaning if water gets underneath; grippers hold the mat in place on carpet to prevent movement or walking.
It is important to make sure that the mats are completely dry, both on the carpet surface and underneath, before rolling and storing them. Ideally, your building will have an area large enough to hang the mats to dry, but if not then you should choose a mat that will dry with natural evaporation.
When the wet weather stops, you should leave your mats out to dry for a few days before being rolled up and stored. Leaving them for adequate time is important to ensure they are completely dry and safe to use during the next predicted rainfall.
Lastly, storing wet weather mats is just as important as making sure that you choose the right mat. Matshop supplies storing and rolling accessories that will prevent the mats from being warped or damaged while not in use.
Our easy-to-follow storing instructions ensure that your mats will be ready for immediate use when it rains. They will not be warped or rippled, and they will not deteriorate after a few uses.
It is particularly important that you follow the care instructions for natural materials, such as coir. Only some coir mats can be used in wet weather, so feel free to reach out to one of us if you aren't sure if yours can.
For more information about keeping coir mats working in wet weather, check out the answer to can you keep coir doormats outside?
