There are many different types of covers for protecting floors from physical damage and anyone walking on it from slipping and falling. Without going into specifics, we can refer to all these protective floor covers as floor mats. But floor mats are so numerous in number and they are used for so many different purposes that it is imperative that we try and categorize them in one way or another. The following article looks at the most commonly used methodologies for classifying floor mats and the types realized in each.
By Site Of Installation
One of the most general ways of classifying floor mats is by considering where they will be installed. Basically, the site or environment of installation refers to the physical location where the mat is deployed. There are only two possible scenarios here. A floor mat cam either be installed outdoors or indoors. Outdoor mats are usually made from very tough materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions and extreme environmental hazards. Indoor mats on the other hand feature soft, stylish, and aesthetically pleasing materials and design patterns. Indoor mats are usually installed for specialized functions. Some mats like “welcome” or entrance mats are both indoor and outdoor mats because they are designed for inside and outside deployment.
By Application
The other categorization factor is the intended place of mat application. And just like the site of installation factor discussed above, here you also have two broad classes, residential mats and office/commercial mats. Residential mats are floor mats designed and marketed for home use while commercial mats serve business or industrial establishments. These are two very broad categories and you will realize that most mats are suited for both settings. Notably though, commercial or industrial mats come with many special design features depending on the intended function.
By Purpose/Function
The most definitive method of classifying floor mats is by considering their intended purpose or functional value. Broadly speaking, floor mats are used for protection and comfort. But if you delve into specifics, you will note that different mats have different functionalities depending on their design features. If you classify mats by their intended purpose, you will get several types of safety mats and ergonomic comfort mats. There are heated mats, which provide warmth and comfort in cold weather. Entrance mats for protecting the floor against mud and dirt. Logo mats which feature graphical inscriptions for advertisement purposes, beauty, or passing messages. All these functional mat types can be found in all residential and industrial settings both indoors and outdoors.
Other Specialty Features/Functions
When it comes to industrial mats, it is not quite enough to split the mats into the broad categories discussed above. As hinted earlier, industrial mats have numerous functional attributes all varying according to the intended site of deployment or application. As such, business/commercial/ industrial mats are classified into several other categories based on their specialty design features. Different industrial environments require specialty floor mats for specific functions or purposes. Industrial mats are broadly classified into general protection mats and workplace comfort mats. Protective mats offer a combination of workplace safety functions including slip-resistance and other specialized protective applications like electrical and electrostatic discharge safety, antimicrobial properties, and water, chemical, grease, and/or oil resistance. Ergonomic comfort mats are also called anti-fatigue mats because they provide comfort and relaxation to workers by cushioning their body weight and/or reducing noise and vibrations in noisy working environments. All there specialty floor mats are aimed at enhancing productivity in the workplace.
