Enter most buildings and you will probably find yourself wiping your feet on the way out of habit. The shoe shuffle on the doormat is not exclusive to homes; in commercial and public buildings, such as shops, offices and schools, they have mats installed too.
Professional flooring contractors refer to these products as barrier matting. This is because it acts as a barrier to stop excess dirt and moisture from being tracked into the building.
It can be used both outside and inside the doorway in heavy footfall areas. When properly specified and installed, a good barrier mat can prevent your floors from becoming a muddy mess and a health and safety issue.
What are the two types of barrier matting?
There are two main types of barrier matting: primary and secondary. Both do the same job but are designed to be used together.
Primary barrier matting
Primary barrier matting is the first mat you come to when entering a building, hence the name. It is made of tough stuff designed to scrape the dirt and muck from the bottom of shoes and wheeled vehicles entering a building.
An example of this is the Gradus Esplanade system, which combines alternating strips, or wipers, of aluminium with tough textile wipers. The structure removes and holds the dirt to prevent it from being transferred to other flooring.
The matting is often recessed when installed to prevent trip hazards and can be removed for deep cleaning. For external use, an open system can be used, where there are narrow gaps that allow rainwater and debris to fall through rather than stay on the surface.
A closed construction system can be used for areas where rainwater is less of an issue. Here, the moisture and dirt are trapped on the textile wipers. Making the right choice between the open and closed construction will impact the longevity and performance of the matting.
Secondary barrier matting
Secondary barrier matting is usually installed beyond the primary barrier, further into the building. However, it can be used as a primary barrier in internal entrances, on stairs and in places with a high risk of spillages, such as seating areas in canteens.
It works in a similar way to the primary barrier, but without the aluminium wipers. The construction is usually a hard-wearing textile, either in tiles or rolled and fitted like a standard carpet. Gradus Boulevard is an example of secondary barrier matting.
Does barrier matting have to be recessed?
Fitted barrier matting is recessed into what is called a matwell. It is particularly important for barrier mats not to protrude and cause trips, but recessing depends upon the product installed.
For example, the aluminium strips of the Gradus system are either 12mm or 18mm gauge, so they would need to be recessed into the floor. But barrier matting that is not fitted, such as a roll-up or temporary seasonal matting solution, would not need to be recessed.
Each building and business has different needs and risks. Deciding on the type of barrier matting for your business or workplace requires expert knowledge of specifications and the skills for installation.