More Information
| Manufacturer | M+A Matting |
|---|
Reviews
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Classy Mat for a Classy company:)I ordered this mat and it’s exactly what I was looking for. It fits perfectly and complements my doorway design beautifully.
Posted on
$54.00
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Description
The Classic Waterhog is the mat most people picture when they think "Waterhog" — the original bi-level scraper built to handle a busy door and keep what's outside from ending up on your floor. It's the workhorse of the line: dependable dirt and moisture control, indoors or out, in a surface made to take real daily traffic. Part of the broader Waterhog entrance mat family, the Classic is the default pick for primary entrances.
What a Waterhog Mat Does Before Dirt Reaches Your Floor
Most of the dirt in a building walks in through the front door. ISSA data shows up to 12 times more dirt enters during wet weather, and it takes six to eight footsteps for someone to wipe their shoes clean. The Classic Waterhog is built to catch that in those first steps inside.
The bi-level surface does the work. Raised ridges scrape grit and moisture off shoes and drop it down between them, below shoe level, where it stays put instead of tracking inside. The water-dam border holds the moisture on the mat — up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard — so the floor past the door stays dry and safer underfoot.
Why the Bi-Level Construction Holds Up
The surface is a 24 oz/yd² solution-dyed PET fiber, made from at least 90% recycled plastic. Solution-dyed means the color goes all the way through the fiber, so it resists staining and won't fade or rot — it dries fast and keeps its look through repeated cleanings. The waffle pattern's reinforced rubber nubs are what stop the pile from crushing flat, which is how a cheaper mat loses its scrape and starts to look tired.
Under that sits a 78-mil SBR rubber backing — with about 20% recycled rubber from car tires — that grips the floor and resists curling and cracking through temperature swings. Beveled edges give a safe step up onto the mat, and the surface is certified high-traction by the National Floor Safety Institute. It's made in the USA.
Where It Belongs — and What It Isn't
The Classic earns its place at primary entrances that see steady traffic all day — office lobbies, storefronts, schools, restaurants, healthcare entries, and busy homes. It works indoors and out, which is why it's the one mat that covers most doorways without much fuss. Pick smooth backing for hard floors and cleated backing for carpet.
What it isn't is a decorative accent or a logo mat. The Classic is the plain performance surface — bold, even color and a square scraping pattern, not custom artwork or fine print. If a space needs branding at the door, that's a different build; the Classic is for when the job is simply to keep the floor clean and dry.
Three Things to Check Before You Spec It
First, match the backing to the floor. Smooth backing grips hard surfaces like tile, stone, and sealed concrete; cleated backing is made to sit on carpet without shifting. The wrong backing is how a mat creeps or ripples underfoot.
Second, size the mat to the walking path, not just the door. Because it takes several steps to wipe shoes clean, a mat that's too short lets grit past it. The Classic comes in standard sizes through 6 by 20 feet and custom lengths up to 60 feet, so you can cover the real path.
Third, choose the border for the job. The classic rubber border is the tougher, more weather-ready edge — the better call for outdoor or high-abuse entrances. The fashion fabric border gives a softer, more finished look for indoor lobbies. Both use the same surface and colors, so it's really about wear and setting.
Why Mats Inc.
The Classic Waterhog is the mat we reach for most, because it solves the common problem — a busy door tracking dirt and water inside — without overcomplicating it. Our job is getting the details right for your space: the backing for your floor, the size for your traffic, and the border and color for where it sits. We specify rather than install, and every order is backed by our one-year limited warranty.
| Surface fiber | Solution-dyed PET, 24 oz/yd² |
| Surface pattern | Bi-level raised-square (waffle) scraper surface |
| Profile | 3/8" thick |
| Recycled content | PET surface ≥90% recycled; SBR backing ~20% post-consumer recycled |
| Backing | 78-mil SBR rubber — smooth (hard floors) or universal cleated (carpet) |
| Border options | Classic rubber or fashion fabric |
| Water retention | Up to 1.5 gallons per square yard |
| Edges | Beveled for a safe floor-to-mat transition |
| Traction | NFSI-certified high-traction |
| Colors | 11 — including Bluestone, Charcoal, Medium Grey, Navy, Evergreen, Bordeaux, Red/Black (Solid Red in 3' and 4' widths only) |
| Sizes | Standard 18"×27" through 6'×20'; custom widths 3', 4', 6' in whole-foot lengths up to 60' |
| Origin | Made in the USA |
| Warranty | One-year limited (Mats Inc.) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Waterhog mat better at trapping dirt than a regular doormat?
Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO
It's the bi-level surface. Instead of one flat layer, the Classic Waterhog has raised ridges with channels between them. The ridges scrape grit and water off your shoes, and the low channels catch it and hold it below shoe level — so it stays in the mat instead of getting carried in on the next step. A water-dam border around the edge keeps the moisture from running off, holding up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard. A standard doormat just sits there and gets walked over; this one actively pulls the dirt down and keeps it.
How durable is it, and how long should it last?
Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO
It's built to take daily commercial traffic. The surface is a 24-ounce solution-dyed PET fiber — the color runs through the fiber, so it resists stains and won't fade or rot — and reinforced rubber nubs keep the pile from crushing flat, which is what usually wears a mat out. The 78-mil SBR backing resists curling and cracking through temperature changes. Kept clean and sized right, it holds up for years in a busy entrance; what ends a mat early is usually an undersized one taking abuse, or grit left to grind in. Mats Inc. backs every order with a one-year limited warranty.
Can I use it outdoors, and which backing should I choose?
Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO
Yes — it's an indoor/outdoor mat, so it works at exterior entries as well as indoor lobbies and foyers. The backing is the choice that matters: pick smooth backing for hard floors like tile, stone, or sealed concrete, and cleated backing for carpet, where the cleats keep it from sliding. For a fully exposed outdoor spot, the classic rubber border holds up better than the fabric one against weather. If you're not sure, tell us where it's going and we'll point you to the right pairing.
What colors does the Classic Waterhog come in?
Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing
There are 11 colors, from neutrals like Charcoal, Medium Grey, and Bluestone to richer tones like Navy, Evergreen, Bordeaux, and Red/Black. For a busy entrance, a mid-tone or darker color is the practical choice — it hides everyday soil between cleanings and still looks intentional at the door, while lighter shades show dirt faster. Solid Red is offered in 3- and 4-foot widths. Whatever you pick, the color is dyed through the fiber, so it stays true instead of washing out over time.
What's the difference between the rubber and fashion borders?
Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing
It comes down to look and setting. The classic rubber border is the more rugged edge — clean, utilitarian, and the better pick for outdoor or high-abuse entrances. The fashion fabric border wraps the mat in a softer, more finished surround, which suits indoor lobbies and reception areas where the entrance is part of the first impression. Both use the same bi-level Waterhog surface and the same colors underneath, so you're really choosing the frame, not the performance.
Can I get it in a custom size to fit my entrance?
Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing
Yes. Beyond the standard sizes, the Classic is made to order in 3-, 4-, and 6-foot widths in whole-foot lengths up to 60 feet, so you can match the mat to the actual opening and walking path rather than settling for the closest stock size. That's especially useful for wide entries, long runners down a corridor, or covering the full stretch where people walk in. Send us the dimensions of the space and how it's used, and we'll help you land on a size and layout that fits.
By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.
Ordering Info
Custom Sizes available in 3', 4', and 6' widths up to 60 feet in length.
Call or email for a custom size quote
Reviews
Customer Reviews
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Classy Mat for a Classy company:)I ordered this mat and it’s exactly what I was looking for. It fits perfectly and complements my doorway design beautifully.
Posted on
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