Entrance Mats

Why Entrance Mats Are Essential for Every Building

Many building managers underestimate the importance of entrance mats. The biggest misconception? That they don't really work. Here's proof they do: after just one week in an industrial canteen, we extracted 3kg of dirt and grime from a single entrance mat. That's 3kg of debris that would otherwise be tracked throughout the building, scratching floors, creating slip hazards, and increasing cleaning costs.

The Hidden Costs of Poor Entrance Matting

Research shows that 70-80% of the dirt, dust and moisture entering a building comes in on people's shoes. Without proper entrance matting, this debris:

• Scratches and damages floor surfaces – Requiring expensive refinishing or replacement
• Creates slip and fall hazards – Especially when wet, leading to injuries and liability claims
• Increases cleaning frequency – More labour, more chemicals, more cost
• Creates an unprofessional appearance – Dirty floors reflect poorly on your business
• Reduces indoor air quality – Dust and allergens circulate through HVAC systems

The ROI of Quality Entrance Mats

Quality entrance mats deliver measurable returns:

• Trap up to 80% of dirt and debris before it enters your building
• Reduce cleaning costs by up to 50% through less frequent cleaning requirements
• Reduce slips and falls by 60% or more on hard floors
• Last 10+ years when properly maintained vs just 12 months for cheap alternatives

WHS Compliance and Legal Requirements

Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, employers have a legal duty to provide a safe workplace. Environmental factors cause over half of all slips, trips and falls – making entrance mats not just a convenience, but a compliance requirement for many businesses.

For commercial buildings, entrance mats must meet Australian Building Code requirements for fire resistance and smoke generation. All Matshop commercial entrance mats are compliant with these standards, so you can specify with confidence.

Types of Entrance Mats

With 571 entrance mat products in our range, we have a solution for every application, traffic level, and budget. Here's how to understand the main categories:

Surface Mounted vs Recessed Entrance Mats

83% of our entrance mat sales are surface mounted – they sit on top of your existing floor and are the most versatile, cost-effective option. Recessed mats sit flush within a mat well and are typically specified in new builds or major refurbishments.

Surface Mounted Mats:

• No installation required – simply roll out and use
• Easy to move, clean and replace
• Ideal for rentals or where permanent installation isn't possible
• Lower upfront cost with all materials and traffic ratings available

Recessed Mats (Mat Wells):

• Sit flush with floor level – no edge to trip over
• Premium appearance for high-end entrances
• Ideal for wheeled traffic (trolleys, wheelchairs, prams)
• Requires mat well/frame – we supply these for new installations
• Recommended recess depth: 8mm

How to Choose the Right Traffic Rating

Choosing the right traffic rating is crucial for mat longevity. An under-specified mat will wear out quickly and need replacing. Here's our guide:

Traffic Level	Typical Applications	Daily Foot Traffic	Our Recommendation
Low Traffic	Residential, small offices, boutique retail	Under 50 people/day	Coir mats, budget polypropylene
Medium Traffic	Retail stores, restaurants, medical clinics	50-500 people/day	Nylon or premium polypropylene
High Traffic	Shopping centres, hospitals, airports, large offices	500-5,000 people/day	Diamond Pattern Dual Level mat
Ultra-High Traffic	Train stations, stadiums, major transport hubs	5,000+ people/day	Premier High Traffic Commercial mat

Not sure which traffic level applies to your entrance? Contact us for a free assessment.

Entrance Mat Materials Explained

The material you choose affects performance, longevity, appearance and cost. Here's what you need to know about each option:

Polypropylene Entrance Mats

The workhorse of commercial entrance matting. Polypropylene is our most popular material for good reason.

Pros: Hard-wearing, cost-effective, excellent scraping properties, easy to clean, fade resistant, maintains appearance under heavy use.

Cons: Not highly absorbent (best paired with absorbent mats in wet areas), difficult to recycle.

Best for: High-traffic commercial entrances, shopping centres, retail stores, anywhere dirt scraping is the priority.

Nylon Entrance Mats

Premium performance for demanding applications where both scraping and absorption matter.

Pros: Ultra-absorbent, extremely hard-wearing, attractive finish, fade resistant, excellent scraping (coarse fibre options), sustainable options available (Econyl recycled nylon).

Cons: Higher initial cost, requires more thorough cleaning due to higher functionality.

Best for: Hotels, corporate lobbies, healthcare facilities, anywhere appearance and performance both matter.

Coir Entrance Mats (Coconut Fibre)

Natural, sustainable and cost-effective – ideal for eco-conscious businesses and rustic aesthetics.

Pros: 100% natural fibre, sustainable and biodegradable, attractive rustic appearance, cost-effective, excellent dirt and sand trapping, natural antimicrobial properties, saltwater resistant.

Cons: Will discolour (darken) when wet, sheds fibres initially, harder to clean than synthetic options, organic material may rot if exposed to constant moisture.

Best for: Undercover outdoor areas, residential entrances, cafes and restaurants wanting a natural look, eco-focused businesses.

Rubber Entrance Mats

Heavy-duty scraping performance for the toughest environments.

Pros: Easy to clean (hose down), extremely long-lasting, eco-friendly and recyclable, excellent scraping performance, withstands heavy loads and wheeled traffic.

Cons: Can have an odour initially, not absorbent, may discolour some light-coloured floor surfaces.

Best for: Industrial entrances, warehouses, loading docks, outdoor areas, anywhere heavy scraping is needed.

A Word of Caution on Aluminium Entrance Mats

Aluminium mats with carpet inserts are often specified by architects for their premium appearance. However, we urge caution based on years of customer feedback:

Pros: Attractive when brand new, wide selection of colours and configurations, premium aesthetic.

Cons: Dulls and looks worn quickly, difficult for shopping trolleys and wheeled traffic, clatters and is noisy underfoot, expensive, can bend and create a trip hazard under heavy loads, aluminium sections are NOT absorbent and become slip hazards when wet.

As demonstrated in our Newcastle shopping centre case study, aluminium mats can actually increase slip and fall incidents in wet weather. We recommend premium nylon or polypropylene alternatives for most commercial applications.

Common Entrance Mat Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Choosing PVC (Vinyl) Backed Mats

This is the single most common mistake we see. PVC (vinyl) backed mats are cheap, but they create serious problems:

• Slide on hard floors – creating a trip and fall hazard
• Curl at the edges – another trip hazard that worsens over time
• Crack and deteriorate quickly – requiring frequent replacement
• Can damage floor finishes – plasticizers can react with some flooring

Always choose rubber-backed entrance mats. Our mats feature specially engineered rubber backing that grips the floor without damaging it, lies flat, and won't curl or slide.

Mistake #2: Buying Too Small

An undersized entrance mat can't do its job. For effective dirt and moisture capture, aim for:

• Minimum 3-4 footsteps of mat coverage (approximately 1.5-2 metres in length)
• Full door width coverage plus 150-300mm each side
• Consider trolley/wheelchair turning circles for retail and healthcare environments

Mistake #3: Ignoring Maintenance

A quality entrance mat can last 10+ years with proper maintenance. A neglected mat? Maybe 2-3 years. Regular vacuuming and periodic deep extraction cleaning keeps your mat performing at its best and extends its life dramatically.

Mistake #4: Choosing Price Over Quality

A cheap entrance mat costs less upfront but:

• Needs replacing every 12 months vs 10 years for quality mats
• Performs worse – trapping less dirt, creating more slip risk
• Looks unprofessional faster – affecting your brand image
• Creates liability – through slipping, curling edges, and mat movement

Over 10 years, a quality mat costing $500 works out to $50/year. A cheap mat at $80 replaced annually costs $800. Quality is the smarter investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size entrance mat do I need?

For effective dirt capture, your mat should allow 3-4 footsteps before reaching clean flooring. This typically means 1.5-2 metres in length, and wide enough to cover the full door opening plus 150-300mm each side. For double doors or high-traffic entrances, consider larger sizes or multiple mats. Not sure? Request a free site visit and we'll recommend the perfect size.

What's the best material for my entrance?

It depends on your priorities. For maximum durability and scraping in high-traffic areas, choose polypropylene. For superior absorption and premium appearance, choose nylon. For eco-friendly and rustic aesthetics, choose coir. For heavy industrial scraping, choose rubber. We offer free samples so you can see and feel the difference before ordering.

How long will my entrance mat last?

With proper maintenance (regular vacuuming, periodic extraction cleaning), a quality Matshop entrance mat will last 10+ years in high-traffic environments. That's why we offer an industry-leading 5-year warranty – confidence no other supplier matches.

Can I have my logo printed on my entrance mat?

Absolutely. Custom logo mats turn your entrance into a branding opportunity while protecting your floors. We print logos in-house with vibrant, fade-resistant colours that last. Turnaround is just 5 days – the fastest in the industry. See our logo mats range for options.

Can I get a custom size entrance mat?

Yes. We manufacture and cut entrance mats to size in-house, so we can create any size or shape you need – from small doorway mats to massive entrance systems spanning entire lobbies. Custom sizing takes just 5 days.

Entrance Mats by Industry

Different industries have different entrance mat requirements. Here's what matters for your sector:

Shopping Centres & Retail

High traffic, shopping trolleys, aesthetics, custom shapes for revolving doors and irregular entrances. Our Diamond Pattern and Premier mats are trusted by Westfield, Chadstone, Pacific Fair, and hundreds of retail centres nationwide.

Hotels & Hospitality

Premium aesthetics, logo branding, luggage trolley traffic, wet umbrella management. Trusted by Crown Towers, Sheraton Hotels, and QT Hotels.

Healthcare & Hospitals

Hygiene, wheeled traffic (wheelchairs, beds, equipment), slip resistance, easy cleaning. Infection control starts at the door.

Government & Public Buildings

High traffic, Building Code compliance, durability, professional appearance. Trusted by Australian Parliament House, NSW Government, Queensland Parliament, and Transport NSW.

Transport Hubs

Ultra-high traffic, wet weather performance, wheeled luggage, extreme durability. We supply entrance matting to Transport NSW Train Stations and Transport Victoria.

Service Stations

High traffic, oil and grease resistance, durability, easy cleaning. Trusted by Shell and Ampol service stations.

Supermarkets & Grocery

High traffic, trolley-friendly, wet weather performance, durability. Trusted by Woolworths and Coles.

Our Best-Selling Entrance Mat: Diamond Pattern Dual Level

This is the entrance mat we're most proud of – and the one our customers keep coming back for.

We developed the Diamond Pattern mat after receiving complaints about the popular Waterhog mat. Customers told us the Waterhog slipped on floors and didn't absorb as much moisture as they needed. So we engineered something better.

What makes it special:

• Exclusive rubber compound engineered to eliminate slippage on hard floors
• Heavier weight construction for stability and durability
• Proprietary carpet material compound maximising moisture absorption
• Bi-level surface design scrapes shoes clean and traps debris below foot level
• Australian Building Code compliant for fire and smoke requirements

This is a Matshop exclusive – you won't find it anywhere else. It's the result of 12 years of manufacturing experience and direct feedback from thousands of customers.

Why Choose Matshop for Entrance Mats?

We Manufacture Our Own Mats

Unlike competitors who simply resell imported products, we manufacture and customise entrance mats in-house using raw materials from 9 countries. We've developed our own moulds, rubber formulas, and carpet material compounds to ensure our mats are the most absorbent and hardest-wearing on the market.

The Largest Range in Australia

With 571 entrance mat products ranging from $23 to $55,000, we have something for every application and budget. Whether you need a simple doormat or a custom-engineered entrance system for a major shopping centre, we've got you covered.

Unmatched Warranty

Our entrance mats come with a 5-year warranty as standard – unmatched in the industry. We stand behind our products because we know they're built to last.

Fastest Turnaround

Stocked entrance mats ship same-day when you order before 2pm. Custom-made mats are ready in just 5 days – the fastest custom turnaround in Australia.

Australia-Wide Installation

For projects over $5,000, we offer professional installation Australia-wide. Our installers know how to get it right the first time – no bubbling, no visible joins, no trip hazards.

Expert Advice & Free Samples

Not sure which entrance mat is right for you? Our team has helped specify entrance matting for some of Australia's most demanding environments. We offer free samples and free site visits for businesses – so you can make an informed decision.

Get Started Today

Ready to upgrade your entrance matting? Here's how to get started:

• Browse our range above – filter by traffic level, material, or application
• Request free samples – see and feel the quality before you order
• Get a free site visit (businesses only) – we'll recommend the perfect solution
• Request a quote for custom sizes or large orders
• Call 1300 628 746 to speak with our entrance mat experts