Buyer guide/Commercial entrance mats
How to Choose a Commercial Entrance Mat
The right commercial entrance mat matches your traffic, your environment and your doorway. Build a three-zone system: a coarse scraper outside, a combined scraper-wiper in the doorway, and an absorbent wiper inside. Size it so people take several steps across the full door width, then choose the material to suit.
Start with the three-zone entrance system
Most dirt and moisture is stopped in stages, not by a single mat. Plan three zones so foot traffic is scraped, then wiped, then dried before it reaches your floors.
Scraper outside
A coarse outdoor mat that scrapes off heavy grit, mud and surface water before people reach the door. Hard-wearing rubber and scraper matting suits this exposed position best. See the rubber scraper and safety matting range.
Scraper-wiper in the doorway
A combined mat in or across the threshold that keeps working on both grit and moisture as traffic transitions inside. This is the core of a commercial entrance system and where most commercial entrance mats sit.
Absorbent wiper inside
A soft, absorbent wiper mat just inside the door that draws out remaining moisture and fine dust, protecting hard floors and reducing slip risk. This is also where a printed or branded finish works well.
The longer the run of matting across these three zones, the cleaner and drier your interior floors stay. Where space is tight, prioritise the doorway scraper-wiper and an internal absorbent zone, then add an external scraper wherever there is room.
Match the mat to your traffic and environment
The busier the entrance and the harsher the conditions, the more robust the matting needs to be. Use this as a starting point, then request a recommendation for your site.
| Situation | What to look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-traffic entrances (retail, hospitality, offices) | Commercial entrance mats | Built to keep performing under constant footfall without matting down or shedding fibre. |
| Outdoor scraping, loading doors, wet exteriors | Rubber scraper matting | Rubber shrugs off grit, moisture and UV exposure in the outdoor scraper zone. |
| Wet, slippery or high-risk floors | Safety and slip-resistant mats | Adds traction and drainage where water, spills or grease are a slip hazard. |
| Standing workstations near the entry (reception, service desks) | Anti-fatigue mats | Cushions staff who stand in one spot for long periods, so comfort sits alongside entry protection. |
| Branded reception or client-facing lobbies | Custom logo mats | A colour-matched logo mat makes the internal wiper zone work for your brand as well. |
Compare the materials
Each zone favours a different material. In broad terms, rubber and brush fibres scrape, while nylon and polypropylene wipers absorb and dry.
| Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber | Outdoor scraper zone, wet and high-wear areas | Very durable and slip-resistant, copes with weather and heavy grit. See rubber mats. |
| Coir and synthetic brush fibre | Aggressive scraping in the doorway | Stiff bristles dislodge caked mud and grit; pair with a wiper zone to handle moisture. |
| Nylon wiper | Internal absorbent zone and branded entrances | Highly absorbent, holds colour well and recovers its pile, which suits printed and logo mats. |
| Polypropylene wiper | General internal wiping and moisture control | Hard-wearing, quick-drying and cost-effective for everyday commercial traffic. |
| Printed textile (PrintPlush) | Custom logo mats at reception | Full-colour print on an absorbent base. See the PrintPlush logo mat. |
Get the size and fit right
An entrance mat only works if people actually walk across enough of it. Size generously, cover the full opening, then decide how it sits on the floor.
- Allow enough footfalls. A person should take several steps on the matting before reaching the bare floor, so both feet are scraped and wiped. Longer runs clean better.
- Cover the full door width. Match the mat to the whole opening so traffic cannot bypass it at the edges, and continue the run into the internal wiper zone where you can.
- Recessed or surface-laid. A recessed mat sits flush inside a floor well for a seamless, trip-free finish in new or refurbished entries. A surface-laid mat with bevelled edges is the practical choice for existing floors.
- Made to measure. Awkward openings, curved lobbies and recess wells are all handled with made-to-measure matting cut to your exact dimensions.
- Check before you commit. Order a sample to feel the pile and colour in your own space through our free samples service.
Standard or custom logo mat
Both do the entrance job. The question is whether you want the internal wiper zone to carry your brand as well.
| Consideration | Standard entrance mat | Custom logo mat |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Scraping and moisture control | Scraping and moisture control, plus branding |
| Appearance | Solid or stock colours | Your logo and colours, colour-matched |
| Best position | Any zone | Internal wiper zone at reception or main entry |
| Lead approach | Off-the-shelf sizing or made to measure | Made to order with a free digital proof before production |
| Explore | Commercial entrance mats | Custom logo mats / PrintPlush logo mat |
Custom logo mats
Your logo, printed and colour-matched
Full-colour custom logo mats with a free digital proof before production. Made to order.
What affects the cost
There is no single price for a commercial entrance mat. Cost depends on the specification you choose, so the best way to compare is to request a quote for your exact requirement.
Dimensions and coverage
Larger openings, longer runs and recessed wells use more matting, so overall size is the biggest driver of cost.
Fibre, backing and grade
Rubber, brush fibre, nylon and polypropylene wipers sit at different price points, and heavy-duty grades cost more than light-traffic options.
Branding and made to measure
Custom logo printing and made-to-measure cuts are made to order, which is priced differently to a stock size.
Tell us your entrance size, traffic level and whether you want branding, and we will put together a quote. Our price-beat guarantee applies, and we supply and deliver NZ-wide with installation able to be arranged. Request a quote or contact us to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
What is the three-zone entrance system?
It is the principle that an entrance should stop dirt and moisture in stages. Zone one is a coarse scraper outside, zone two is a combined scraper-wiper in the doorway, and zone three is an absorbent wiper mat inside. Together they scrape, then wipe, then dry foot traffic before it reaches your floors.
What size should a commercial entrance mat be?
Size it so a person takes several footfalls across the matting before reaching the bare floor, and make sure it covers the full width of the door opening so traffic cannot walk around it. Where space allows, continue the run into an internal wiper zone. Awkward openings can be handled with made-to-measure matting.
Should I choose a recessed or surface-laid mat?
A recessed mat sits flush inside a floor well for a seamless, trip-free finish and suits new or refurbished entries. A surface-laid mat with bevelled edges is the practical option for existing floors, as it needs no building work. We supply both and can advise on the best fit for your entrance.
Can I get my logo printed on an entrance mat?
Yes. Custom logo mats are printed in full colour and colour-matched to your brand, with a free digital proof before production. They are made to order and work best in the internal wiper zone at reception. You can view the PrintPlush logo mat or browse the full logo mats range.
How much does a commercial entrance mat cost?
Cost depends on the size, material, grade and whether the mat is custom or made to measure, so there is no single price. Tell us your requirement and we will prepare a quote, backed by our price-beat guarantee. Request a quote to get started.
Do you deliver and install across New Zealand?
Yes. We supply and deliver commercial matting NZ-wide, and professional installation can be arranged. Get in touch on 09 600 3464 or contact us to arrange supply and install for your site.
Choose the right entrance mat with confidence
Tell us your entrance size, traffic and whether you want branding. We supply and deliver NZ-wide, with a free digital proof on custom logo mats and a price-beat guarantee.
