Most facility managers buy entrance mats based on size, color, and price. But the real question isn't what a mat looks like — it's what the mat actually does.
At Enhanced Entrance, we evaluate every mat against five performance functions. Understanding these functions helps you choose the right matting system for your facility — and explains why a single mat rarely does the whole job.
1. Scrape
The first line of defense. Scraping removes heavy, coarse debris from footwear before it enters your building: sand, gravel, road salt, packed snow, and grit that would otherwise grind into your floors.
Mats with aggressive fiber construction or textured surfaces excel here. This function matters most at exterior entrances and in climates with harsh winters or sandy conditions.
2. Wipe
Moisture is the enemy of clean floors — and a slip hazard. Wiping action absorbs water, slush, and fine particles from shoe soles, preventing wet tracks across your facility.
Absorbent fiber mats handle this function best. You'll want strong wipe performance in vestibules and anywhere rain or snow gets tracked inside.
3. Collect
Debris needs somewhere to go. Collection channels dirt below the walking surface, keeping it away from subsequent footwear until the mat can be cleaned.
Mats with deeper pile or recessed channels trap more material and extend the time between cleaning cycles. This function determines how long your mat stays effective throughout the day.
4. Hold
Captured debris must stay captured. Holding function keeps dirt, moisture, and particles locked in place — preventing them from migrating across the mat or tracking deeper into your facility.
Without good hold, a mat that scrapes and collects well will still spread soil around during high traffic. Dense fiber construction and quality backing contribute to hold performance.
5. Hide
First impressions matter. Hiding function keeps your entrance looking professional between cleaning cycles. Heathered colors and textured patterns mask accumulated soil, reducing "dirty mat" complaints from staff and visitors.
This isn't about neglecting maintenance — it's about maintaining appearance during the inevitable gaps between cleanings.
Why One Mat Isn't Enough
Here's the insight most mat buyers miss: no single mat excels at all five functions.
Aggressive scrapers often lack absorbency. Premium interior mats look beautiful but can't handle heavy outdoor debris. The most effective entrance systems layer multiple mats in sequence — starting with scraping outdoors, transitioning to moisture absorption in the vestibule, and finishing with collection and concealment inside.
Choosing the Right System
When evaluating entrance matting, ask yourself:
- What debris are we dealing with? (Sand, salt, water, mud?)
- How many steps do visitors take before reaching interior floors?
- What flooring are we protecting?
- How often can we realistically clean the mats?
The answers point toward specific performance priorities — and usually toward a multi-mat system rather than a single solution.
Want help designing an entrance system for your facility? Request a consultation or explore our product line to see how each mat performs across all five functions.