Blog
How to Choose the Right Entrance Mat for Your Office
Here’s everything you need to know — whether you’re outfitting a corporate office, a medical practice, a retail location, or a bank or financial institution.
1. Understand What Entrance Mats Actually Do
Before shopping, it helps to know the three jobs a commercial entrance mat performs — and which matters most for your space.
Dirt and debris scraping — stiff fibers or textured surfaces physically remove soil from shoe soles before it reaches your floors.
Moisture absorption — thicker mats capture water from wet shoes and umbrellas on rainy days.
Brand impression — a custom logo mat communicates professionalism the moment someone arrives, before a word is spoken.
Most offices need some combination of all three. A healthcare office might weight moisture control heavily; a bank lobby or law firm might prioritize visual impact. Industrial or retail environments may need heavy-duty scraping first.
2. Choose the Right Mat for Your Traffic Level
Not all entrance mats are built for the same volume of foot traffic. Using a light-duty mat in a high-traffic entry results in premature wear, curling edges, and a mat that stops performing long before you expect it to.
- Under 200 people/day — small professional suites and offices. Standard commercial mats work well.
- 200–600 people/day — medical offices, mid-size corporate lobbies. Look for durable pile with reinforced backing.
- 600+ people/day — retail stores, municipal buildings, large campuses. Heavy-duty construction and frequent cleaning required.
The 15-Foot Rule
Industry standards suggest you need 6–15 feet of mat coverage from the entrance to capture the majority of dirt from a pedestrian’s shoes.
If space limits you to a single mat, prioritize the outdoor or vestibule position. But for best results, a two-mat system — one scraper outside, one absorbent mat inside — is the most effective way to achieve full coverage, even in a tight vestibule.
3. Pick the Right Mat — Four Styles from Rug Rats VA
All four styles below are custom-printed with your logo, made in the USA, and include a free digital proof within 24 hours.
Waterhog Impressions — best for weather-exposed or high-moisture entries
OUTDOOR / MOISTURE
Waterhog Impressions
The signature rubber dam border traps water and debris within the mat while raised nubs scrape shoes on entry. NFSI high-traction certified. Up to 57 colors. Works indoors and outdoors. The go-to exterior mat in a two-mat system for lobbies and vestibules exposed to rain or snow.
SuperScrape Impressions — best for industrial, outdoor, and extreme-traffic areas
INDUSTRIAL / HEAVY TRAFFIC
SuperScrape Impressions
Built for high-traffic outdoor entrances, locker rooms, restaurant kitchens, and any space that takes a serious beating. Low-profile edges eliminate trip hazards. Unlimited color options with permanent, vibrant prints. An excellent first-position mat in a two-mat system for high-abuse entries.
DigiPrint HD — best for interior lobbies and brand-forward spaces
INDOOR / BRAND IMPRESSION
DigiPrint HD
The ideal second mat in a two-mat system: placed just inside the door after an exterior scraper, the DigiPrint HD captures residual fine particles and moisture while making a bold brand impression. 150+ colors, heat-set embedded dyes, heavy rubber backing. Sizes from 2’ × 3’ up to 6’ × 12’. Indoor use only.
Piazza — best for recessed entries, lobbies, and large interior installations
RECESSED / LARGE INSTALLS
Piazza Logo Mats
Built for environments where the mat must perform and endure — grand lobby entries, recessed floor wells, and high-traffic institutional spaces. Made from 52-oz solution-dyed polypropylene with UV stability, approximately 3/8″ thick. Trimmable on-site to any recess shape without unraveling. Works indoors or outdoors in any custom size.
QUICK REFERENCE
· Outdoor or wet weather → Waterhog Impressions Â
· Industrial or extreme traffic → SuperScrape
· Polished indoor lobby → DigiPrint HD
· Recessed or large install → Piazza
BROWSE BY YOUR INDUSTRY
Businesses & Offices | Medical Offices | Retail Stores | Banks & Financial | Restaurants & Cafés
4. Get the Size Right
One of the most common mistakes offices make is buying a mat that’s too small. An undersized mat forces people to step over or around it — defeating its entire purpose.
- Single door: At minimum 3’ × 5’ for a standard 36″ commercial door. A 4’ × 6’ is better if space allows.
- Double door: 4’ × 6’ minimum; 4’ × 8’ or 6’ × 8’ for a proper vestibule presence.
Lobby or reception area: Consider a custom-sized runner or area rug that fills the entry zone and extends your brand impression deeper into the space.
Free Mat Sizing Tool
What size mat do I need?
Answer 3 quick questions for a recommended mat size and product.
Please complete all three fields.
Recommended products
Want more guidance? Visit our full Mat Size Guide.
SIZING TIP
When in doubt, size up. A mat that’s too large is almost never a problem. A mat that’s too small fails at its primary job. Not sure what size you need? Request a free quote and we’ll help you figure it out.
5. Use a Two-Mat System to Hit the 6–15 Foot Coverage Standard
A single mat rarely achieves the 6–15 feet of coverage that industry studies recommend. The most effective solution — used by facilities ranging from corporate offices to university buildings — is a two-mat system that places different mat types at different positions in the entry sequence.
THE TWO-MAT SYSTEM — BEST PRACTICE
One mat outside handles the heavy lifting — scraping mud, debris, and standing moisture from shoe soles before anyone enters. A second mat just inside catches finer particles and residual moisture. Together they deliver the coverage a single mat cannot. This Pilates Fitness Club installation shows exactly how it works in a real studio entrance.
POSITION 1 — OUTSIDE: Exterior Scraper Mat The SuperScrape Impressions sits right at the exterior door, aggressively removing debris and moisture from shoe soles before clients step inside. Its low-profile rubber construction handles daily outdoor foot traffic while keeping the brand front and center.
POSITION 2 — INSIDE: Interior Logo Runner Just inside the door, a custom DigiPrint HD runner — 3′ × 15′ — captures residual fine particles and moisture while extending the brand experience the full length of the entry. At 15 feet, this installation single-handedly meets the industry coverage standard on its own.
Iowa State University implemented a two-mat system in their Memorial Union and cut the amount of dirt making it past the entrance by 70%.
Want to design a two-mat system for your facility? Read the full two-mat system guide →
6. Don’t Underestimate the Branding Opportunity
For most professional offices, the entrance mat is the most-seen piece of branded real estate in the entire building — more visible than a wall sign, more noticed than a business card. Every single person who enters walks across it.
A custom logo mat communicates professionalism and attention to detail, brand consistency when colors are correctly reproduced, and genuine pride of ownership that clients and staff both notice. Every Rug Rats VA mat ships with a free digital proof within 24 hours so you approve the design before production begins.
Corporate offices and businesses tend to prioritize a clean, polished lobby impression; medical offices need to balance brand presentation with heavy-duty moisture performance; banks and financial institutions often opt for refined, premium-feel mats that reinforce trust; and retail stores benefit most from high-visibility, high-traffic mats that don’t fade.
7. Plan for Maintenance from Day One
Even the best entrance mat fails quickly if it isn’t maintained. All Rug Rats VA mats can be vacuumed, hosed down, or steam cleaned — avoid bleach and harsh chemicals to protect the print and fiber.
- Vacuum or shake out loose soil at least 2–3 times per week (daily in high-traffic settings)
- Spot-clean spills promptly to prevent set staining
- Deep-clean monthly or quarterly — hose down or steam clean as needed
- Inspect backing and edges regularly for curling, cracking, or separation
- Replace mats when pile is worn down, backing is compromised, or logo is no longer legible
Longevity note: A properly maintained commercial mat can last 3–7 years. Neglected mats become slip hazards and dirt distributors — often within 12–18 months.
8. Safety and Compliance Considerations
Always choose mats with a non-slip rubber backing rated for your floor surface; avoid mats with raised, curling, or buckled edges; and in ADA-compliant spaces, ensure pile height does not exceed ½ inch and mats are securely fastened or recessed. The Waterhog Impressions is NFSI high-traction certified — a meaningful credential for environments where safety documentation matters.
Quick-Reference Checklist: Before You Buy
- Measured the entry zone and confirmed mat size (err larger)
- Estimated daily foot traffic and matched to product durability
- Determined primary need: dirt scraping, moisture control, or brand impression
- Considered a two-mat system to achieve the 6–15 foot coverage standard
- Used the Mat Size Widget (above) or requested a free quote to confirm dimensions
- Confirmed indoor vs. outdoor placement and selected the right mat style
- Planned a maintenance schedule your team can realistically follow
- Verified non-slip backing compatibility with your floor surface
- Checked ADA compliance requirements if applicable
Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact us directly — we’ve been helping businesses get this right since 1987.
Ready to put your brand at the front door?
Get a Custom Logo Mat Made in the USA
Woman-owned. BBB A+ rated. Free proof within 24 hours. Serving businesses since 1987.
