What the Scraper Does Before the Building Ever Sees the Shoe

Scraper mats are the first defender outside the building — the outdoor entrance mat that takes the heavy debris off the shoe before any indoor matting or interior flooring has to deal with it. ISSA field data shows 12 times more dirt enters a building during wet weather, and the scraping zone at the exterior threshold is where the bulk of that load is supposed to get knocked off.

A scraper mat that's the right construction for the exposure removes mud, gravel, snow, and grit before they cross the threshold — which is what lets the indoor mat on the other side of the door actually do its moisture-absorption job instead of being overwhelmed by debris.

The Mistake That Burns Outdoor Scraper Buyers

The most common mistake at scraper placements is undersizing the mat or using an indoor-rated construction at an exterior threshold. Indoor mats with carpet faces fade and curl within months of UV and freeze/thaw exposure, and a too-small scraper mat at a wide entrance lets most of the inbound traffic bypass the scraping action entirely.

The downstream consequences compound: heavy debris rides shoes onto the interior flooring, accelerating wear on the floor finish and overwhelming the indoor matting that was supposed to handle moisture. Slip-and-fall risk that NFSI tracks at building entrances spikes when scraper mats fail or are absent — wet shoes carrying mud and grit onto interior flooring is one of the most consistent commercial liability sources at the threshold.

Matching the construction to the exposure and sizing for the actual entry width is what avoids the cycle.

How the Four Options Compare

Each option in the grid handles a different scraping problem. Picking between them comes down to what the entrance is actually fighting and what role the mat plays at the door.

Super Scrape Rubber Mats use molded surface cleats to dig into shoe treads and dislodge mud, gravel, snow, and heavy debris on contact. All-rubber construction handles UV, freeze/thaw cycling, and the slip resistance that wet exterior conditions demand. Strongest fit for high-volume commercial entries where aggressive dirt removal is the primary job — schools, healthcare facility exteriors, retail storefronts, government buildings, and any threshold where heavy debris arrives daily.

Super Scrape Rubber Logo Mats combine the cleated scraping action with a custom logo molded into the all-rubber surface. This is an unusual combination — most logo mats use carpet faces that won't survive exterior UV and weather, so they're indoor-only. The Super Scrape Logo construction is rubber throughout, which gives you the scraping function of a commercial outdoor mat plus brand presentation at the threshold.

Right pick for customer-facing main entrances where the outdoor mat is part of the building's first impression — retail storefronts, hospitality entries, corporate main lobbies, and schools where the institution identity belongs at the exterior door.

Mat-A-Dor Mats use hundreds of resilient rubber fingers that scrape shoes automatically on contact — the fingers go to work the moment they're stepped on. Beveled borders prevent tripping, and the construction hides trapped dirt rather than displaying it. Distinctive feature: the rubber-finger surface doubles as anti-fatigue cushioning, which makes Mat-A-Dor a strong fit for exterior placements that also serve as stand-up work zones — guard stations, valet stands, drive-through windows, and entry-adjacent posts where a worker stands for extended periods.

Safety Scrape Rubber Mats prioritize maximum traction alongside scraping action. Built for environments where stable footing is the safety priority — kitchens with grease and water on the floor, locker rooms, inclined surfaces, behind counters, production areas, and exterior building entrances where wet or oily conditions are constant. Right pick when slip-and-fall risk is the dominant problem and the mat needs to keep the walking surface grippy in conditions that would make other mats slick.

Three Things to Check Before You Pick

First, what the entrance is actually fighting. Heavy mud, gravel, or snow at a high-volume commercial threshold calls for the most aggressive cleated scraping — Super Scrape Rubber. Wet, oily, or sloped exterior conditions where traction is the safety priority — Safety Scrape Rubber. Customer-facing entrance where the scraper also needs to carry the brand — Super Scrape Rubber Logo. Entry that doubles as a stand-up work zone — Mat-A-Dor.

Second, size. ISSA's six-to-eight-footstep rule applies at the scraper zone too: a small mat at a wide entrance lets the bulk of inbound traffic bypass the scraping action. Match the mat width to the entry width, and size the length to catch at least three or four steps before the threshold.

Third, what comes after the scraper. Scraper mats handle debris removal but aren't built for moisture absorption — they need to be paired with indoor matting on the other side of the threshold for the full entrance system to work. If the scraper is doing the entire job alone, the indoor flooring will pay the price within a few months.

Why Mats Inc.

The four scrapers in the grid above are what's stayed on the floor across decades of watching what survives at exterior thresholds. Constructions that didn't hold up to UV, freeze/thaw, and continuous debris exposure retired from the catalog. The ones still here are the ones we'd put outside our own front door.

Getting the scraper spec right at the start is what keeps the indoor matting on the other side of the threshold from being overwhelmed by debris — and that's what keeps the floor inside the building from absorbing wear it was never built for. Spec consultation available if you want a second opinion before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell which of the four scrapers fits my entrance?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Start with what the entrance is actually fighting. Heavy mud, gravel, or snow at a high-volume commercial threshold — Super Scrape Rubber Mats with molded surface cleats do the most aggressive dirt removal. Same situation but the entry needs to carry the brand — Super Scrape Rubber Logo Mats combine cleated scraping with a molded logo, which is unusual for scraper-grade construction.

Entry where the mat doubles as a stand-up work zone — Mat-A-Dor's rubber fingers scrape on contact and provide anti-fatigue underfoot. Wet, oily, or sloped exterior conditions where traction is the safety priority — Safety Scrape Rubber Mats keep the walking surface stable in conditions that make other mats slick. Send the entry details if you can't tell which fits.

Where should the scraper mat actually go at the entrance?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Directly outside the door, oriented so the bulk of inbound traffic crosses the mat before reaching the threshold. ISSA research shows it takes six to eight footsteps to wipe a shoe clean — the scraper mat needs to be sized to catch at least the first few of those steps. Standard placement is right at the exterior threshold with the long dimension aligned to the natural traffic path.

For high-volume commercial entries, pairing the scraper outside with an indoor mat or runner inside gets the full six-to-eight-step coverage. Undersizing the scraper is the most common placement mistake — a small mat at a wide entrance lets most of the inbound shoes bypass the scraping action entirely, which means the heavy debris ends up on the interior flooring anyway.

Can I get a scraper mat with a logo for a customer-facing entry?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes — Super Scrape Rubber Logo Mats in the grid above are specifically built for that, which is unusual for scraper-grade construction. Most logo mats use carpet faces that won't survive exterior UV, weather, and freeze/thaw cycling, so they're indoor-only. The Super Scrape Logo construction is all-rubber with the logo molded into the surface, which gives you the scraping action of a commercial outdoor mat plus brand presentation at the threshold.

For customer-facing entries at retail storefronts, hospitality entries, corporate main lobbies, and schools where the outdoor mat is part of the building's first impression, branded scraper matting at the door reinforces brand identity in a way an unbranded scraper can't. Color options on rubber logo mats are narrower than indoor carpet-faced options because the compound chemistry has to prioritize weatherability, but the branding capability is real.

How long should an outdoor scraper mat last?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Three to five years at moderate-traffic commercial entries, two to three years at the busiest high-volume entrances. Three things end the lifespan early: undersizing (the mat takes traffic concentrated in a small area and wears unevenly), skipped maintenance (debris accumulates underneath and breaks down the backing from below), and wrong placement (mat sits where the bulk of traffic doesn't actually cross it, which means the scraping action degrades through partial use rather than full use).

Rubber scraper construction handles UV, freeze/thaw, and weather exposure well, so the construction itself typically isn't what fails — it's the application around the mat. Lift the scraper monthly to clear accumulated grit from beneath, and the mat hits the upper end of the range.

Do scraper mats look out of place at a customer-facing entry?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Depends on the construction. The molded cleat surface on Super Scrape Rubber Mats reads as functional but tidy — appropriate at schools, healthcare, government, retail entries, and commercial thresholds where utility matters more than decorative presentation. Mat-A-Dor's rubber-finger surface has a distinctive appearance that reads as intentional commercial rather than strictly utilitarian. Safety Scrape Rubber Mats have the most utility-focused look — best suited for service entries, loading docks, and industrial thresholds, less so at hospitality or corporate main lobbies.

For customer-facing main entrances where brand presentation matters, Super Scrape Rubber Logo Mats are the option in the grid that combines scraping function with intentional visual presence. The other three constructions fit better at secondary, service, or operations-focused entries.

Can I get scraper mats in custom sizes for non-standard entries?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes, with options across all four constructions. Super Scrape Rubber Mats and Safety Scrape Rubber Mats support custom rectangular sizing within standard manufacturing tolerances. Super Scrape Rubber Logo Mats are inherently custom — the logo, sizing, and color configuration are specified per order based on the design. Mat-A-Dor Mats are available in multiple standard sizes; custom dimensions are possible with longer lead times.

For irregular entry shapes — angled thresholds, recessed entries, wide commercial entries that need multiple connected mats — send us the dimensions and design intent and we'll confirm what's manufacturable. Custom orders typically take two to four weeks depending on construction and complexity.

By Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing, Mats Inc.

Super Scrape Rubber Logo Mats put your logo on a mat that earns its place at the door. The nitrile rubber surface uses raised circular cleats to scrape dirt and water off shoes before they reach your floors, and the artwork is set into the rubber rather than coated on top — so the branding holds up through heavy traffic instead of scuffing away. They're among the most rugged of our outdoor logo mats, built for real commercial use indoors or out.

The logo is digitally printed on a polymeric film, then heat-pressed into the nitrile rubber so it becomes part of the mat. That process reproduces photo-realistic detail — multi-color artwork, tones, and gradients all come through cleanly, which is what separates these printed floor mats from simple one-color welcome mats. You get 150 standard colors to work from, with PMS matching available — up to four PMS colors per design — when a logo has to be exact.

The raised cleats give the mat a high-traction surface that's certified by the National Floor Safety Institute, which matters at a wet entrance where a slip turns into a liability claim. The all-nitrile build also resists oils and chemicals, so the mat holds up at tougher doorways — entries near commercial kitchens, service bays, and manufacturing floors — not just clean lobby entrances. It works indoors or out, though under constant direct sun the printed color softens over time.

The mat comes in standard sizes from 2.5' x 3' up to 6' x 8', so most entrances are covered without custom cutting — what's custom is the artwork, built to your logo and colors. Cleaning is simple: shake or sweep off loose debris and hose it down, or have it commercially laundered. Plan to replace it when the cleats wear smooth or the printed color has faded enough to lose its punch at the door.

Frequently Asked Questions

How well does the logo hold up outdoors and under heavy traffic?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Better than a surface-printed mat. The artwork is printed on a film and heat-pressed into the nitrile rubber, so it's set into the mat instead of sitting on top as a coating that can scuff or peel. Under heavy door traffic, the raised cleats usually wear smooth before the logo gives out. Outdoors, direct sun is the limiting factor — the color softens gradually over the years rather than failing all at once.

Can you match our exact brand colors?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes. There are 150 standard colors to work from, which covers most logos as they are. When a brand needs precise color, PMS matching is available for up to four colors per design. Because the image is digitally printed before it's pressed into the rubber, photo-realistic detail holds up — multi-color marks, gradients, and fine type come through cleanly instead of being simplified into flat blocks.

What artwork do you need from us, and how detailed can the logo get?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Print-ready artwork works best — vector files or high-resolution images reproduce most cleanly. The process handles real detail, including photo-realistic images, multi-color designs, and shaded tones. As a rule of thumb, keep text at least half an inch tall and lines at least a sixteenth of an inch thick so they hold up in production. Send us the logo and the size you need, and we'll confirm how it reproduces before anything is made.

Can these go near kitchens or areas with oil and chemicals?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Yes — that's one of the real advantages of nitrile rubber. Standard rubber softens and breaks down with regular oil and chemical exposure, while nitrile resists both. That lets the mat hold up at doorways near commercial kitchens, auto and service bays, manufacturing floors, and food-service areas, where a standard logo mat would degrade.

By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

Berber Logo Mats put your logo at the door on a looped berber surface — a tight, low-profile weave with a subtle hobnail texture that reads as upscale rather than promotional. The logo is digitally printed in high definition, so the artwork stays crisp, and the same tight weave that holds the print also scrapes dirt and moisture off shoes before either reaches your floor.

What a Berber Logo Mat Does Before Your Brand Looks Tired at the Door

A logo mat is doing two jobs from the moment someone walks up: it shows your brand and it protects the floor. ISSA field data shows a building takes on up to 12 times more dirt during wet weather, and it takes six to eight steps to walk a sole dry. A mat that catches that grit keeps your entrance clean — and keeps the logo from sitting in a smear of tracked-in dirt.

The looped berber weave is tight enough to scrape and hold dirt and moisture, so the floor past the mat stays cleaner and the logo stays legible instead of muddy. That matters because a worn or grimy logo mat does the opposite of its job — it makes the brand look neglected at the exact spot where a visitor forms a first impression.

Why Berber Loop, and Why This One

The surface is needle-punched PET fiber, about 44 ounces per square yard, made with at least 80% recycled content reclaimed from plastic bottles. The loop-pile berber has a smooth, even face, which is what lets the logo print crisply — the artwork is built up in layers of color and matched to a standard palette of 56 colors, so edges and lettering stay sharp.

Berber's tight weave is the durable part. It stands up to heavy foot traffic without the surface breaking down, and the hobnail texture gives it an upscale look that plain printed mats miss. The fiber is naturally stain- and fade-resistant, so the logo holds its color through regular cleaning rather than washing out after a season.

Underneath is an SBR rubber backing that contains 20% recycled tire content and keeps the mat in place to cut slipping. You can spec a universal cleated backing for carpet or a smooth backing for hard floors, and the whole mat sits low — easy to clean by vacuuming or hosing off, and low enough not to catch a door swing.

Where It Belongs (and Where It Doesn't)

This is a branding mat for indoor and covered-outdoor entries — lobbies, front desks, storefronts, building entrances, and anywhere you want a company logo greeting people as they arrive. As premium carpet logo mats go, the berber loop is on the upscale end, and it works equally well as commercial rugs with logo inside reception areas and retail floors.

What it is not is a full-sun outdoor mat. The print fades in direct sunlight, so it belongs under a canopy, an overhang, a vestibule, or indoors — not exposed on an open sidewalk. It's also a branding mat that catches dirt and moisture, not an aggressive scraper for mud and gravel; keep the heaviest debris to a coarse outdoor mat and let the berber handle the finish and the logo.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Three things decide whether a berber logo mat is the right call.

First, the light. The print fades in direct sun, so this mat is for covered or indoor spots only. If your entrance faces open sky for hours a day, a different construction will hold its color better — be honest about the exposure before you commit the logo to it.

Second, the artwork. Logos print best with text at least 1.5 inches tall and lines no thinner than a quarter inch, and very fine detail or pale backgrounds don't translate well — light colors also show dirt faster. Simple, bold artwork in darker or neutral tones reads cleanly and stays looking sharp.

Third, the floor and the size. Choose a cleated backing for carpet or a smooth one for hard floors, and size the mat to the traffic, not just the doorway — aim to cover the six-to-eight steps it takes to dry a sole. Standard sizes run up to 6'×12', with custom lengths to 20 feet.

Why Mats Inc.

Mats Inc. has specified commercial matting since 1964, so when you're putting your brand on the floor, you're working with people who know which logo construction survives your specific entrance — and which will fade or flatten in it. We help you set up the artwork inside the print limits, pick the backing for your floor, and size the run so the mat protects as well as it presents. For the rest of the range, start with our commercial entrance mats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the logo actually printed, and will it stay sharp?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

The logo is built up in layers of color on the smooth berber surface and matched to a standard palette of 56 colors. That layering is what gives the high-definition look — crisp edges and clean lettering — as long as the artwork respects the print limits: text at least 1.5 inches tall, lines no thinner than a quarter inch, and no fine tints or transparencies. Bold, simple artwork holds up best. The fiber is naturally stain- and fade-resistant, so the print stays sharp through regular cleaning rather than washing out.

How well does it hold up to heavy traffic?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

The tight berber weave is the durable part — it's built to take heavy foot traffic without the surface breaking down, and the hobnail loop holds its texture rather than crushing flat the way a softer pile would. A mat that mats down stops scraping and starts looking worn, so that crush resistance is what keeps both the logo and the floor protection working.

The one thing that shortens its life is sunlight: the print fades in direct sun, so a covered or indoor spot is essential. Used under cover and cleaned regularly — vacuumed, or hosed off and hung to dry — it holds its look for years.

Can I put it outside?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Only under cover. Berber logo mats are made for indoor and covered-outdoor entries — under a canopy, in a vestibule, or inside a lobby. They're not built for full sun, because the print fades when it's exposed directly, and they're branding mats rather than coarse scrapers for mud and gravel. The best setup outdoors is a rugged scraper mat first to take the heavy debris, with the berber logo mat just inside or under the overhang where it stays clean, dry, and out of direct light.

What sizes can I get?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Standard sizes run from 2'×3' up to 6'×12', and custom lengths are available in standard widths up to 20 feet — useful for a wide storefront entry or a long lobby walkway.

Size it to the traffic, not just the door opening. Aim to cover the six-to-eight steps it takes to dry a sole, so the mat protects the floor and shows the logo at full size rather than getting walked past in a stride or two.

What does it look like, and what colors are there?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It has an upscale, low-profile look — the looped berber weave with a subtle hobnail texture reads as refined rather than promotional, which suits a polished lobby or reception area. There are 56 standard colors to build the logo and background from, so you can match a brand palette closely. One tip: skip very light background colors, since pale tones show tracked-in dirt faster — darker or neutral backgrounds keep the mat looking clean longer between cleanings.

Can it match our exact brand colors, and what artwork works best?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Colors are matched to a standard 56-color palette rather than exact PMS values, so it's a close brand match within that range rather than a precise ink match — worth knowing if your brand standard is strict. For artwork, bold logos and clear lettering reproduce beautifully; very fine detail, thin lines, gradients, and transparencies don't translate well to the woven surface. Send us your logo and we'll tell you straight whether it'll read well at mat scale or needs a small adjustment first.

By Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing, Mats Inc.

The Half-Circle Waterhog Entrance Mat takes the bi-level Waterhog face you'd put inside a busy front door and curves one end into a half-oval, so a plain rectangular runner reads as a finished, grand entrance. It scrapes shoes and holds water below the walking surface, and the rounded end softens the look at lobby doors, hotel vestibules, and curved thresholds where a square mat looks cut off.

What a Waterhog Mat Stops Before It Reaches Your Floor

Most of the dirt and water in a building walks in on shoes. ISSA field data shows a building takes on up to 12 times more dirt during wet weather, and it takes six to eight steps for a person to track moisture off their soles. A mat at the door is where that gets caught — or where it gets missed and ends up on your floor.

The bi-level face does the catching. Raised ridges scrape grit and moisture off shoes, then drop it into the channels below the walking surface so it isn't picked up again and tracked deeper inside. A water-dam border rings the mat and holds what it collects — up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard — keeping it off the floor instead of spreading it around the threshold.

Why the Bi-Level Waterhog Face, and Why the Half-Circle

The face is solution-dyed PET fiber, about 30 ounces per square yard, made from at least 90% recycled content reclaimed from plastic bottles. Rubber reinforcement runs through the bi-level pattern so the pile holds its shape and doesn't crush flat under steady traffic — a crushed mat stops scraping and starts looking tired, which is the usual reason an entrance mat gets pulled early.

Underneath is an SBR rubber backing that contains 20% recycled tire content and lies flat without curling the way vinyl-backed mats can. You can spec a universal cleated backing, the standard for carpet, or a smooth backing for hard floors. Beveled edges ease the transition on and off, so the mat sits as a safe step rather than a trip point.

The half-circle is the reason to choose this version. The half-oval end finishes a run of matting with a curve instead of a hard corner, so you can build a longer grand entrance by pairing the curved end with a rectangular mat. Set against the bi-level textured face and a color-coordinating fabric border, it reads as a designed threshold, not just floor protection.

Where the Half-Circle Belongs (and Where It Doesn't)

This is an indoor entrance mat first. It earns its place in lobbies, hotel vestibules, restaurant foyers, healthcare entries, and office building doors — high-visibility spots where the floor is on display and the threshold sets the first impression. The curved end suits wide or rounded entries and revolving-door approaches, where a rectangle would look stranded.

It is not a coarse outdoor scraper for mud, gravel, or grease, and it isn't the mat for a loading dock or a wash-down bay. Put it where people walk in from a parking lot or sidewalk and you want the building to stay clean and look finished — not where the heaviest grit needs to be knocked off before anyone reaches the door.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Three things decide whether this mat fits your entrance.

First, the floor under it. A universal cleated backing grips carpet and keeps the mat from creeping; a smooth backing is the right call on tile, stone, or polished concrete, where cleats can rock. Match the backing to the surface or the mat will shift underfoot.

Second, the size of the run. The half-oval ends come in roughly 3-, 4-, and 6-foot widths, and they pair with rectangular mats to extend a true grand-entrance length. Measure the door swing and the walking path so the mat covers the six-to-eight steps it takes to dry a sole, not just the doorway itself.

Third, the look you want at the door. Seven colors and a color-coordinating fabric border let you tie the mat to a lobby palette or a brand standard, and the curved end is what separates a presentation entrance from a plain mat. If the threshold is on display, that finish is the point.

Why Mats Inc.

Mats Inc. has specified commercial entrance matting since 1964, so when you ask whether a half-circle layout suits your doorway, you're talking to people who match mat construction to real traffic rather than reading off a box. This mat is certified high-traction by the National Floor Safety Institute, which carries weight at a wet entrance where a slip is a liability, not just a mess. We help you size the run and pick the backing for your floor, and point you to the rest of our commercial entrance matting if the half-circle isn't the right fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the bi-level surface actually keep dirt off my floor?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

The face is built on two levels. Raised ridges scrape grit and water off the bottom of shoes, and the lower channels between them hold what's scraped below the walking surface, so it isn't picked up again and carried farther inside. A raised water-dam border rings the whole mat and traps moisture — up to 1.5 gallons per square yard — so it stays in the mat instead of running onto your floor. That's the difference between a mat that collects and one that just spreads water around the threshold.

How long will it hold up in a busy entrance?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

In a typical commercial entrance, expect several years of service before the look starts to fade. The reason it lasts is the rubber reinforcement molded through the bi-level face — it keeps the pile from crushing flat. A crushed pile is what usually ends a mat's life: once it lies down it stops scraping and starts looking worn.

The solution-dyed PET fiber resists fading and won't rot, so it holds its color and its grip instead of going dull and slick. What shortens that life early is the wrong backing for the floor, or a mat sized too small for the traffic it's taking.

Should I get the cleated or the smooth backing?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Match it to the floor. The universal cleated backing is standard for carpet — the cleats bite in and keep the mat from creeping as people walk across it. The smooth backing is the one for hard floors like tile, stone, or polished concrete, where cleats can rock and flat rubber stays put.

Both versions lie flat without curling, and the beveled edges give a safe transition on and off. The one real mistake is a cleated mat on a hard floor, or a smooth-backed mat on carpet.

What sizes does the half-circle come in, and how do I build a grand entrance?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

The half-oval ends come in roughly 3-, 4-, and 6-foot widths. On their own they round off a doorway; paired with a rectangular mat they extend into a longer run — a curved end, a straight middle, and a second curve if you want both ends rounded. That's how you build the grand-entrance look down a wide vestibule.

Measure the door swing and the walking path before you order, and size for the six-to-eight steps it takes to dry a sole. You want the mat covering the traffic, not just the doorway.

What does it look like, and what colors can I get?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It's a refined, low-profile look rather than a utility mat. The bi-level face has a finished texture, and a color-coordinating fabric border frames it cleanly at the edge. There are seven colors to choose from, formulated to stay colorfast with the recycled fiber, so you can match a lobby palette or keep to a neutral that hides traffic between cleanings. The curved end is what reads as designed — the detail that makes the entrance look intentional instead of just protected.

Can I match it to our brand or pair it with mats we already have?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

You can build around your space. The seven-color range and fabric border let you tie the mat to a brand standard or an interior scheme, and the half-oval ends are designed to pair with rectangular Waterhog mats so a curved entrance and a straight runner read as one set. If you're after a printed logo at the door, that's a different construction — a logo mat — and we can point you there, but for a clean, color-matched threshold the half-circle does the presentation work on its own.

By Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing, Mats Inc.

Super Berber Matting is a dense berber entrance mat that does the two hardest jobs at a busy door at once: it scrapes grit off shoes and soaks up the moisture they carry. The needle-punch berber surface is solution-dyed in up to 40 colors, and a custom logo can be inlaid right into it — so it cleans the entrance and carries the brand in the same mat.

What Super Berber Does Before Dirt and Water Reach the Floor

At a busy entrance, dirt and water arrive on shoes — ISSA research shows the door is where most of a building's dirt comes in. Left to cross the threshold, that grit grinds at the floor and wet shoes leave a lobby slick. The dense berber pile catches both: it scrapes solids loose and holds moisture in the fiber, while the all-weather rubber backing keeps the mat planted, so the dirt and water stay on the mat, not the floor.

Why Solution-Dyed Berber, and Why This One

The mat is built from 100% solution-dyed polypropylene berber, needle-punched into a dense half-inch pile that weighs about 52 ounces per square yard. Solution-dyed means the color is locked into the fiber rather than printed on top, so it does not bleach or wear pale. The polypropylene is UV- and abrasion-resistant, which is what lets the mat hold its look under heavy traffic and sun.

Of the two jobs an entrance mat does, this one leans toward wiping — the deep pile is built to pull moisture and fine dirt off shoes and keep it there, with strong scraping behind it. An all-weather rubber backing grips the floor and stands up to wet conditions, so the mat works at an interior lobby or a covered outdoor entrance alike.

Where It Belongs, and What It Is Not

Super Berber fits heavy-traffic entrances where appearance counts as much as cleaning — office buildings, shops, lobbies, schools, airports, and sport concourses. It works indoors or at a covered outdoor entrance, and it sits in our range of moisture-control entrance matting as the absorbent option that traps water in the pile rather than channeling it away.

What it is not is a drainage grid or a heavy-mud scraper. It holds the moisture it collects, so where standing water has to drain off, an open grid mat is the better tool — and where shoes arrive caked in mud, a coarse scraper out front will spare the pile. Super Berber is the mat that finishes the job: wiping shoes clean and dry once the worst is knocked off.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

First, decide what the door mostly throws at it. If the entrance is about moisture and a clean, finished look, Super Berber is built for exactly that. If shoes arrive heavy with mud or grit, set a coarse scraper ahead of it so the berber handles the wiping rather than clogging with debris it was not meant to take alone.

Second, size it and pick the edge. It comes in standard mats up to four by fourteen feet, in rolls, or custom-cut to your dimensions — up to thirteen feet two inches wide and inlaid runs to a hundred feet. Borders can be heat-sealed, square-cut, or beveled, and custom shapes are on the table if the entrance calls for one.

Third, plan the logo and colors early. The logo is needle-punched into the pile from a palette of up to 40 colors, so it needs camera-ready artwork before a quote. One thing to know up front: this construction does not do exact PMS brand-color matching — you choose from the 40 — so check that your colors are covered before you commit.

Why Mats Inc.

We have specified entrance matting since 1964, and a logo mat only works if the artwork, the colors, and the size are right before it is made. We take your logo, match it to the available colors, confirm the size and border, and lay out the inlay — so the mat that arrives cleans the entrance and reads as your brand, not a near-miss. Send your artwork and we will start there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Super Berber Matting made of?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It is built from 100% solution-dyed polypropylene berber, needle-punched into a dense half-inch pile of about 52 ounces per square yard, over an all-weather rubber backing. Solution-dyed means the color runs through each fiber instead of sitting on the surface, so it resists fading and bleaching. The polypropylene is UV- and abrasion-resistant, which is what lets the mat keep its look under heavy traffic, indoors or at a covered outdoor entrance.

How much traffic can it take, and how well does it handle water?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It is rated for heavy traffic, and wiping is its strong suit — the deep berber pile is built to pull moisture and fine dirt off shoes and hold it down in the fiber, away from the floor. The solution-dyed, UV- and abrasion-resistant construction keeps it from looking worn or faded as the traffic adds up. Like any pile mat, it performs best when it is vacuumed regularly and washed when it needs it, so the trapped soil does not pack down into the pile.

Is it a scraper or a wiper, and where should I place it?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It does both, but it leans wiper — it is at its best absorbing moisture and fine grit rather than knocking off heavy mud. Place it where it covers the full walking path so shoes take several steps on it. If the entrance sees heavy mud or sand, put a coarse scraper mat outside the door first and let Super Berber do the wiping inside; that two-stage setup keeps the pile from clogging and keeps the floor beyond it clean and dry.

Can you inlay our logo, and how sharp will it look?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes — the logo is needle-punched right into the berber pile, not printed on top, so it wears in with the mat instead of scuffing off. It is one of the largest custom logo mats made, which gives a logo room to read cleanly at the door, and custom shapes are possible if you want the mat itself to follow a form. We do need camera-ready artwork before quoting, so the inlay is laid out accurately from the start.

What colors can we get, and can you match our exact brand color?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

There are up to 40 colors to build the base and the logo from, which covers most brand palettes. The one honest limit to flag: this construction does not offer exact PMS brand-color matching — you choose from the 40 standard colors rather than a custom-mixed shade. Because the colors are solution-dyed into the fiber, whatever you pick holds up without fading. Send your brand colors and we will confirm the closest matches before anything is made.

Will it still look professional after a season of heavy use?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

That is what the solution-dyed berber is for. With the color locked into the fiber and the polypropylene resisting UV and abrasion, the mat holds its appearance far better than a surface-printed mat, which tends to go pale and tired at a busy door. The berber texture reads clean and upscale rather than utilitarian, so it suits a lobby or storefront where the entrance is part of the first impression.

By Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing, Mats Inc.

A Spaghetti Mat is an open, coiled-vinyl scraper — the looped surface looks like a tangle of spaghetti, and that tangle is what pulls mud and grit off shoes at the door. It is a light-traffic outdoor scraper that drains and dries fast, made to keep debris outside the building instead of tracked across the floor inside.

What a Spaghetti Mat Does Before the Dirt Gets Inside

An outdoor entrance is where most of a building's dirt arrives. A scraper mat's job is to take that dirt off shoes before it crosses the threshold — and that matters, because ISSA field data shows about twelve times more dirt enters a building during wet weather. The coiled loops scrape from every direction and let the loosened grit and water fall through to the surface below, so it stays off the floor inside.

Why Coiled Vinyl, and Why This One

The mat is built from looped PVC — vinyl coiled into an open, springy surface about three-eighths of an inch thick. The loops run in no single direction, so they scrape a shoe no matter which way someone steps. The vinyl resists mildew and fading, and the open structure dries quickly instead of staying soggy after rain.

It comes two ways. A backed version has a foam backing that helps it sit still on a hard floor; an unbacked version skips the backing so water runs straight through, which suits a recessed well or any spot where drainage matters. Both are slip-resistant, and either can be finished with an applied vinyl edge.

Where It Belongs, and Where It Doesn't

A Spaghetti Mat fits lighter-traffic entrances — office buildings, small retail stores, banks, post offices, churches, and motels — and it is at its best outdoors, where draining and scraping count more than a finished look. It works in a surface spot or dropped into a recessed well, and it sits in our range of exterior entrance mats for the door that needs a workhorse scraper.

What it is not is a heavy-traffic mat or a drying mat. It is rated for light to medium use, so a high-volume entrance will wear it faster than it should — step up to a heavier scraper there. And it scrapes far better than it wipes, so it will not dry wet shoes on its own. Pair it with an absorbent mat inside for that.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

First, be honest about the traffic. The Spaghetti Mat is a light-to-medium-traffic scraper, and that is where it earns its keep. At a busy main entrance with constant footfall, a heavier-built scraper will hold up longer, so save this one for secondary doors, service entries, and lower-volume buildings.

Second, choose backed or unbacked, and size it. Pick the backed version to keep the mat planted on a hard floor, or the unbacked version where water needs to drain straight through, such as a recessed well. Standard sizes are three by five and four by six feet, with rolls up to four feet wide cut to length.

Third, plan what pairs with it. Because it scrapes but does not absorb, set an absorbent mat just inside the door so the Spaghetti Mat knocks off the mud and water outside and the second mat dries what is left. That two-stage setup is what keeps the floor inside clean and dry.

Why Mats Inc.

We have specified entrance matting since 1964, and the right scraper depends on the door it guards. We will help you weigh backed against unbacked, match the size to the opening, and decide whether a light-traffic scraper is the right call or the entrance needs something heavier. Tell us the traffic and the setting, and we will spec it to fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Spaghetti Mat made of?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It is built from looped PVC — vinyl coiled into an open, springy surface about three-eighths of an inch thick. The loops run in no single direction, so the mat scrapes a shoe whichever way someone steps onto it. It comes in a backed version, with a foam backing that helps it stay put on a hard floor, and an unbacked version that lets water run straight through. The vinyl resists mildew and fading, so it holds up to weather outdoors.

How much traffic can it handle, and how long will it last?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It is a light-to-medium-traffic scraper, so it is happiest at secondary doors, smaller retail spaces, offices, and similar buildings rather than a high-volume main entrance. The backed version weighs about 0.69 pounds per square foot and the unbacked about 0.53, enough to stay in place without being a chore to lift and clean. Because the vinyl resists mildew and fading, it keeps its look outdoors. In a busier doorway, plan to step up to a heavier scraper that will last longer under constant footfall.

Does it drain, and should I get the backed or unbacked version?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Both scrape well; the difference is what happens to the water. The unbacked version is open underneath, so water and grit fall straight through — that is the one for a recessed well or any spot where drainage matters. The backed version has a foam backing that keeps it planted on a hard, flat floor where you do not want it sliding. If the mat is going outdoors where rain needs somewhere to go, unbacked is usually the call; on a dry interior floor, backed.

What colors does it come in, and will it look right out front?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It comes in brown, gray, and black in the backed version, and brown or gray unbacked. The look is honest and utilitarian — a practical scraper rather than a decorative mat — so it suits service entries, side doors, and lower-key building fronts. For a polished main entrance where the mat is part of the first impression, a more finished entrance mat usually fits the look better, with the Spaghetti Mat doing the rough work elsewhere.

Can I get it in a custom size?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes, within its width. Standard mats come in three-by-five and four-by-six feet, and it is also sold in rolls up to four feet wide that we cut to the length you need — so a long or non-standard run is straightforward as long as it stays within that four-foot width. If you want the cut edges finished, just tell us which sides, and we will add an applied vinyl edge there.

Can you add our logo to it?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Not this mat — the Spaghetti Mat is a plain functional scraper, with no logo or custom-color option. Its job is taking dirt and water off shoes, not carrying a brand. If you want your logo at the door, that belongs on a logo construction made for it, which we can point you to. Many buyers use both: a logo mat where people see it, and a scraper like this one where the real cleaning happens.

By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

What Mat-A-Dor Does Before the Dirt Reaches Your Door

Mat-A-Dor is a heavy-traffic outdoor scraper built around one job: stripping mud, grit, and snow off shoes before they ever reach the door. A dense field of flexible rubber fingers covers the surface, and each one flexes and snaps back the instant it's stepped on, prying packed debris out of shoe treads instead of smearing it across the mat the way a flat surface would.

That matters because most of what dirties a building walks in on feet. ISSA field data shows 12 times more dirt enters during wet weather, and the exterior threshold is where that load is meant to come off. Catch it at the door with an aggressive scraper and far less of it rides inside on soles to wear the floor and overload the matting beyond.

Why a Fingertip Scraper, and Why This One

What separates Mat-A-Dor from an ordinary fingertip mat is density and toughness. It packs about 50% more fingers than a standard fingertip mat, so more of every footstep lands on a scraping edge rather than slipping between fingers. More contact points mean more debris pulled off per step, which is what makes it a true scraper rather than a surface wipe.

The SBR rubber is built for a hard exterior life. It stays flexible in the coldest temperatures instead of stiffening and cracking, and it resists the acids, alkalis, and road salt that break down lesser mats at a salted winter entrance. At 5/8 inch thick and 2.1 pounds per square foot, it has the heft to stay put under heavy traffic, and its linear-serration backing grips the surface beneath it.

The beveled edge does double duty as a reservoir, holding up to a gallon of liquid per square yard so meltwater and runoff stay penned in the mat rather than sheeting across the entry — and that same beveled border gives a clean, trip-free transition underfoot. The mat is built with about 30% recycled content.

Scraper, Not Absorber — Where It Belongs

One thing to be clear about: this is a scraper, not an absorber. It rates near the top for scraping but only middling for pulling up moisture, which is exactly how an exterior mat should be tuned. The job outside is to knock the heavy debris off; an absorbent mat just inside the door then finishes on residual water. Run alone at a wet entrance, Mat-A-Dor will clear the grit but won't dry the shoe.

That makes it a fit for high-traffic exterior entrances where debris arrives daily — universities, airports, hospitals, retail stores, shopping malls, and schools. It's one of several outdoor scraper and traction mats in the lineup, each built to clear a different kind of mess at the door.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

First, the exposure. Mat-A-Dor is rated for heavy exterior traffic and shrugs off UV, freeze/thaw, and de-icing chemicals — so it belongs exactly where indoor-rated mats fail. If the entrance sees mud, gravel, or snow daily, an aggressive finger scraper is the right tool for it.

Second, the size — and size to the traffic path, not the doorway. It comes in four standard sizes up to 36 by 72 inches; the mat isn't made in custom dimensions, so at a wide or double-door entrance, lay mats side by side so the bulk of inbound traffic actually crosses the fingers instead of stepping around a single undersized mat.

Third, what comes after it. Because it's a scraper, it should hand off to an absorbent mat inside the door so the entrance catches both debris and moisture. Run on its own, it clears the grit but leaves wet soles to track water across the interior floor within a few steps.

Why Mats Inc.

Mat-A-Dor has stayed in our outdoor lineup because it does the hard part of an entrance mat's job without quitting early. The fingertip scraper survives the UV, freeze/thaw, and de-icing salt that retire carpet-faced and lighter mats within a season or two, and it keeps scraping the whole time. When an exterior entrance needs debris gone before it crosses the threshold, this is the construction we reach for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Mat-A-Dor different from a standard fingertip mat?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It comes down to density and how the surface actually works. Mat-A-Dor carries about 50% more fingers than a standard fingertip mat, so more of every footstep lands on a scraping edge instead of slipping into the gaps between fingers. Each flexible rubber finger flexes and snaps back on contact, prying packed mud and grit out of shoe treads rather than just wiping across the top of the sole.

That matters most at a debris-heavy entrance. A flat mat tends to smear what it picks up and hand some of it back to the next shoe; the finger surface drops debris down between the fingers and off the walking plane, and the beveled reservoir around the edge holds up to a gallon of liquid per square yard so meltwater stays in the mat instead of on your threshold.

How long does Mat-A-Dor last, and what maintenance does it need?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

At a moderate-traffic commercial entrance, plan on three to five years; two to three at the busiest high-volume doors. The SBR rubber handles UV, freeze/thaw, and exposure to acids, alkalis, and road salt without breaking down, and it stays flexible in the coldest temperatures, so it won't stiffen and crack through a hard winter.

Because the construction itself rarely fails first, what usually ends the lifespan early is skipped maintenance. Grit works its way under the mat and grinds at the backing from below, so lift it about once a month and clear out what's collected underneath. That one habit is the difference between the low end of the range and the high end.

Where should Mat-A-Dor go, and does it need to be fixed down?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Set it directly outside the door, with the long dimension running along the way people actually walk in, so the bulk of inbound traffic crosses the fingers before reaching the threshold. The most common placement mistake is tucking a mat tight to the doorframe where much of the traffic steps around it.

It doesn't need to be fixed down. At 2.1 pounds per square foot with a linear-serration backing, the mat has the weight and grip to stay put under heavy traffic. Just lift it about once a month to sweep out the grit that collects underneath — left alone, that grit is what grinds at the backing and shortens the mat's life.

What sizes does Mat-A-Dor come in, and what about a wide entrance?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It comes in four standard sizes, from 24 by 32 inches up to 36 by 72 inches, which cover most standard single-door openings. The mat isn't made in custom dimensions, so for a wider opening or a double door the right move is to lay mats side by side to span the full width of the traffic path.

The principle to get right is sizing to the path, not the doorway. A mat sized to the door alone leaves shoes crossing bare ground on either side, and that traffic carries debris straight past the scraper and inside. Send us the opening width and how people actually approach the door, and we'll lay out how many mats it takes to cover it.

Does Mat-A-Dor look right at a customer-facing entrance?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It reads as intentional commercial rather than strictly utilitarian. The dense rubber-finger surface has a distinctive, tidy texture that suits universities, healthcare, retail, and corporate exteriors where the entrance still needs to feel considered, and the beveled border keeps the edges clean and trip-free rather than leaving a raw lip.

It's equally at home at a back-of-house or service entry, so it works across the building, not just at the front. For a presentable look paired with pure scraping function, Mat-A-Dor holds its own at a customer-facing door — the texture reads as deliberate, not industrial.

What if we want our branding at the entrance too?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Mat-A-Dor itself isn't a branded mat — it comes in black only and isn't made in custom configurations, so it's built for pure function rather than presentation. It still looks intentional at a customer-facing door, but it won't carry a logo.

If brand presence at the threshold is a priority, the branded route is a molded rubber logo scraper, which builds the logo right into an all-rubber outdoor surface so it survives the weather. Many buildings use a branded scraper at the main entrance and Mat-A-Dor at the service, side, and high-debris doors where function is all that matters.

By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

Coir Matting is natural coconut-coir fiber tufted onto a solid vinyl base — the original boot-scraping fiber, set on a backing that keeps what it catches off your floor. The stiff coir brushes grit and moisture off shoes at the door, while the vinyl base seals the underside so nothing leaks through to the floor below. It cuts cleanly to fit a recessed well or a vestibule.

What Coir Matting Does Before Grit Reaches the Floor

Coir has scraped boots clean for well over a century, and the reason is the fiber: stiff, dense, and naturally good at brushing grit and soaking up moisture off shoes. ISSA research shows the entrance is where most of a building's dirt arrives, so a mat that pulls it off early keeps it from grinding across the floor inside. The vinyl base does the other half of the job — it holds the dirt and water on the mat instead of letting it leak through to the floor underneath.

Why Coir on a Vinyl Base, and Why This One

The mat is natural coconut coir tufted into a heavy vinyl base, about five-eighths of an inch thick overall. The coir is the working surface: a tough natural fiber that brushes and holds dirt and moisture the way a synthetic mat cannot quite match. It is the fiber people picture at a welcoming front door, and it has been doing the job since coco mats first came to the States in the 1800s.

The vinyl base is what sets this apart from a plain woven coco mat. A woven-back mat lets water seep straight through to the floor; this one seals the underside, so the floor stays protected and dry beneath it. Because the fibers are locked into that base, the mat can be cut to any shape without unraveling — which is what makes it work in a recessed well.

Where It Belongs, and What It Is Not

Coir Matting is at its best in covered, contained spots — vestibules, lobbies, and recessed entrance wells at commercial and residential doors. It comes in six-foot-wide rolls cut to size, and for a large recess the pieces can be cut and fused so the seam barely shows. It sits in our range of moisture-control entrance matting as the natural-fiber option that traps grit and water on a sealed base.

What it is not is a fully-exposed outdoor mat or a drain-through grid. Coir is a natural fiber, so constant sun and rain wear it faster than a synthetic — it lasts far longer under cover. And the vinyl base means water does not drain through it; it holds moisture on top, so where a spot needs water to run away, an open grid mat is the right tool instead.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

First, check how exposed the spot is. Under a portico, in a vestibule, or recessed at a covered entrance, coir holds up well and looks the part. In an open doorway that takes direct sun and driving rain, it will wear and fade faster than a rubber or synthetic mat — so save coir for the sheltered entries and use something weatherproof where the elements hit.

Second, measure the opening, especially a recess. The matting comes in six-foot-wide rolls cut to your length, and custom shapes are workable because the fibers will not unravel at a cut edge. For a recess wider than a single piece, sections are cut and fused together so the joint is hard to spot. Send the well's dimensions and we will plan the layout.

Third, pick the color and expect a little shedding at first. It comes in natural, chocolate brown, and maroon, with printed designs available if you want a pattern. Like all coir, a new mat sheds some loose fiber for the first week or two — that is normal and settles down with a few vacuumings, not a defect.

Why Mats Inc.

We have specified entrance matting since 1964, and coir is a material we know how to place. We will match the thickness and color to the entrance, cut the roll to your recess, and fuse the seams so a large well reads as one clean mat — then point you to a weatherproof option instead if the spot is too exposed for natural fiber. Send the dimensions and we will lay it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coir Matting made of?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It is natural coconut-coir fiber tufted onto a heavy vinyl base, about five-eighths of an inch thick overall. Coir is the stiff, dense fiber from coconut husks — the classic boot-scraping material — and here it is locked into a solid vinyl backing rather than a woven one. That sealed base is the key difference from a plain woven coco mat: water and grit stay on the mat instead of leaking through to the floor underneath.

How long does coir last, and can it go outside?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Coir is tough and scrapes well, but it is a natural fiber, so where it lives matters. Under cover — a vestibule, a portico, a recessed entry — it holds up and keeps its look for a good while. In a fully-exposed doorway taking direct sun and rain, it wears and fades faster than a synthetic or rubber mat, so those spots are better served by a weatherproof option. One normal quirk: a new coir mat sheds loose fiber for a week or two before it settles, which a few vacuumings clear up.

Can it fit a recessed mat well?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Yes — that is one of its strengths. The matting comes in six-foot-wide rolls and cuts cleanly to any shape without unraveling, because the fibers are anchored into the vinyl base. For a recess wider than a single piece, sections are cut and fused together so the joining line is hard to see, and the whole thing sits down in the well at the right height. Send the recess dimensions and we will plan the cut.

What colors does it come in?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Three: natural, chocolate brown, and maroon. The natural tone is the warm, golden coir look most people picture at a front door, while the brown and maroon read a little richer and more finished. All three suit a traditional or hospitality entrance where you want the doorway to feel welcoming rather than industrial — coir has a warmth that synthetic mats do not quite have.

Can we get a custom size, shape, or a printed design?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes to all three. Because it is cut from wide rolls and the cut edges hold without unraveling, custom sizes and shapes are straightforward — useful for an odd-shaped recess or a wide entrance. Printed designs are also available if you want a pattern or motif on the coir rather than a plain field. Send your dimensions and what you have in mind, and we will confirm what works.

Does it look right at a nicer entrance?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It does, in the right setting. Coir reads natural and classic — the brushy texture and warm tone are exactly what people associate with a welcoming, well-kept doorway, which is why it suits hospitality, retail, and residential entries. It is less the look for a sleek modern lobby, where a finished synthetic or grid mat fits better, but for a traditional or warm entrance under cover, coir looks the part.

By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

A rubber scraper mat earns its place at the door by doing two jobs at once: pulling grit off shoes, and holding footing where a wet floor turns slick. Safety Scrape does both. Its molded grip surface bites in wet, greasy, and oily conditions that leave smoother mats treacherous, so it works as well inside a wet kitchen as it does outside as an exterior scraper.

What Safety Scrape Does Before a Slick Floor Becomes a Claim

The trouble with most entrance mats shows up the moment the floor gets wet. A surface that grips when dry can go slippery underfoot, and that is exactly when a slip-and-fall claim starts. Safety Scrape is built for that moment. The cleated surface keeps traction in wet and oily conditions, and those same cleats scrape dirt and sand off shoes so loose grit does not track across the floor behind it.

Why Molded Nitrile, and Why This One

The mat is molded from solid nitrile rubber — a synthetic rubber that shrugs off oil, grease, and harsh chemicals instead of breaking down in them. That is why it holds up in kitchens and production areas where animal fats and cleaners would degrade a cheaper mat. The grip comes from cleats molded into the face, not a coating that wears off.

The traction is a tested rating, not just a textured look. Safety Scrape is certified high-traction by the National Floor Safety Institute, the independent body that rates slip resistance, and it posts a static coefficient of friction — a standard grip measurement — of 0.74 dry under ASTM C1028-96, which sits in the high-traction range. It also passes the DOC FF1-70 surface-flammability standard.

Where It Belongs, and Where It Doesn't

Safety Scrape fits anywhere wet or oily footing meets incoming dirt: commercial kitchens, food-prep and processing areas, locker rooms, industrial workshops, and exterior building entrances in wet climates. It reads as utility-first, so it is at home behind the counter, at a service entry, or on an inclined walkway where safe footing matters more than polish. It is one of the exterior scraper and traction mats we carry, chosen for the wet-and-greasy end of that range.

What it is not is a lobby showpiece. The molded surface is functional, not decorative, so for a customer-facing main entrance where presentation leads, a finished entrance mat usually carries the look better. Use Safety Scrape where the real job is footing and scraping — indoors or out.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

First, match the surface to the conditions. If the floor sees standing water, grease, or chemical splash, the nitrile build and cleated grip are the whole point — that is where Safety Scrape outperforms a smooth or fabric mat. In a dry, low-risk spot, a lighter mat may be enough.

Second, size it to the traffic path, not the doorway. Grit needs several footsteps on the mat to come off, and ISSA field data shows roughly 12 times more dirt enters a building during wet weather — which is also when footing is least stable. A mat too short for the path lets shoes skip both the cleats and the grip surface.

Third, plan placement and upkeep. A scraper works best paired with an absorbent mat just inside, so the scraper knocks off grit and the second stage takes the moisture. Lift and clear trapped grit underneath on a regular schedule, since debris packed beneath a mat is what shortens its life early.

Why Mats Inc.

We have specified entrance and safety matting since 1964, and we choose traction products by the test data, not the sales sheet. Safety Scrape earns its spot because its slip rating is independently certified and its nitrile build survives the kitchens and entrances that break down lesser mats. Tell us the conditions and the traffic path, and we will confirm it is the right call for your floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Safety Scrape made of, and how slip-resistant is it really?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Safety Scrape is molded from solid nitrile rubber, with the grip cleats built into the face rather than coated on top, so the traction does not wear away. The slip resistance is a tested rating: it is certified high-traction by the National Floor Safety Institute and posts a 0.74 dry static coefficient of friction under ASTM C1028-96, which sits in the high-traction range. It also passes the DOC FF1-70 surface-flammability standard. The cleats hold footing in wet and oily conditions — exactly where smooth mats turn slick.

How do I clean it, and how long should it last?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Cleaning is about as simple as commercial matting gets. Shake off the loose grit, then hose or pressure-wash it; for a deeper clean, scrub with a deck brush and a neutral-pH detergent and hang it to dry before putting it back. It is safe in a commercial dishwasher and can be sterilized in an autoclave where that is required. At a commercial placement, plan on several years of service. The habit that extends it is lifting the mat regularly to clear grit trapped underneath, since packed debris is what wears a mat out early.

Can I use it both indoors and outdoors, and will it stay in place?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Yes — it is built for both. Indoors it suits wet zones like kitchens, food-prep areas, and locker rooms; outdoors it works as an exterior scraper at building entrances, especially in wet climates. The mat is lightweight and flexible, which makes it easy to lift and clean, so on a smooth floor in a busy path it is worth checking that it sits flat and is not shifting. The best results come from placing it right where the wet meets the foot traffic, not off to the side of the path.

What sizes does it come in, and how do I pick the right one?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Safety Scrape comes in a set of standard sizes, from a compact 2-by-3-foot mat up to a 3-by-10-foot runner, with a few widths in between. The size that matters is the one matched to the actual traffic path — people need several steps on the mat for the cleats to do their work, so a mat chosen to look tidy rather than to cover where feet land lets shoes miss the grip surface entirely. Tell us the doorway width and how far the path runs, and we will point you to the size that fits.

Will it look out of place at a customer-facing entrance?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Its look is functional first. The molded grip surface reads as purpose-built — clean and intentional, but utilitarian rather than decorative. That suits service entries, back-of-house doors, and wet work zones perfectly. For a main lobby or a storefront where the entrance is part of the first impression, a more finished mat usually carries the look better. The simplest approach is to let the role decide: where safe footing is the real job, Safety Scrape looks exactly as serious as it is.

Does it come in different colors, or can I add a logo?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Safety Scrape is a single functional construction — a molded black grip surface — so it is not a color or logo product. The trade-off is deliberate: every part of the design works toward traction and scraping, not appearance. If you want a brand or a custom color at the door, that belongs on a logo or carpet-inlay construction built for print, which we can point you to. Where the priority is footing and dirt control, the standard surface is the right tool.

By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

Fore-Runner Mat

The Fore-Runner Mat is a durable and highly effective entrance mat designed to trap dirt, moisture, and debris, keeping your indoor spaces clean and safe. Made from high-performance materials, this mat is perfect for high-traffic entryways in commercial buildings, offices, and retail environments. Its sleek, low-profile design ensures easy placement while offering long-lasting protection for your floors.

Key Features of the Fore-Runner Mat

• Effective Dirt and Moisture Trapping: The Fore-Runner Mat is designed to capture dirt, moisture, and debris, preventing them from entering your building and reducing cleaning costs.
• Durable Construction: Made from heavy-duty materials, this mat is built to withstand constant foot traffic and maintain its performance over time.
• Slip-Resistant Backing: The mat features a slip-resistant backing that keeps it securely in place, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
• Low-Profile Design: The sleek, low-profile design allows for easy placement in doorways and entryways without obstructing foot traffic or creating tripping hazards.
• Easy to Maintain: The Fore-Runner Mat is easy to clean, requiring only a quick vacuum or shake to remove trapped dirt and debris.
• Versatile Applications: Ideal for commercial buildings, retail stores, and office entryways, ensuring a clean and professional appearance for any space.

Perfect for High-Traffic Entryways

The Fore-Runner Mat is the perfect choice for maintaining cleanliness and safety in high-traffic areas. With its effective dirt-trapping capabilities and durable construction, this mat ensures long-lasting protection for your floors while keeping your space looking professional and clean.

Spaghetti Mats are an open-loop outdoor scraper built for lighter-traffic entrances — the doors where a heavy cleated mat is more than the spot needs. The tangled vinyl-loop surface scrapes from every direction at once, so it pulls dirt off shoes no matter which way someone crosses it, and the open structure lets grit and water fall through instead of sitting on top.

The surface is a PVC vinyl loop — a coiled, spaghetti-like structure that gives the mat its name. Two versions cover different needs: a foam-backed build that stays planted on a finished surface, and an unbacked version that lets water flow straight through, which suits spots where rain or snowmelt needs somewhere to go. Either way the vinyl dries quickly and resists mildew and fading, so sun and wet don't stiffen it or wash out the color.

Because the loop pattern is non-directional, it doubles as slip-resistant footing — there's no single grain to skid along, which helps where wet shoes are common. It comes in standard 3-by-5 and 4-by-6 sizes and in rolls up to 20 feet long, and it can be custom-sized up to four feet wide for larger entries or run as a continuous walkway. Brown, gray, and black keep it neutral against most building exteriors.

Spaghetti Mats fit lighter-traffic commercial entrances — office buildings, small retail stores, banks, churches, and motels — where the door needs a real scraper but not the heavy-duty construction a high-volume entry demands. It's one of the outdoor entrance mats in the lineup, and as with any exterior scraper, sizing it to the actual walking path matters more than matching the doorway — a mat that's too short lets shoes clear it before the loops have done their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the backed and unbacked Spaghetti Mat?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It comes down to whether you need the mat to stay put or to drain. The foam-backed version grips a finished surface and stays in place under foot traffic — the right call on a covered entry, a landing, or any spot with a solid floor underneath. The unbacked version is open top to bottom so water runs straight through it, which is what you want where rain or snowmelt pools and needs somewhere to go. Same scraping surface on both.

How does Spaghetti Mat hold up outdoors, and how long does it last?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's built for lighter-traffic entrances, so at an office, bank, or similar door expect several years of service. The vinyl dries quickly and resists mildew and fading, so sun and wet don't stiffen it or wash out the color the way they do lower-grade outdoor carpet. What shortens its life is putting it somewhere too busy for its grade, or letting debris pack into the loops — lift it and shake or hose it out regularly and it holds up well.

Can I get Spaghetti Mat custom-sized or in a specific color?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Yes. Standard sizes are 3-by-5 and 4-by-6, and it comes in rolls up to 20 feet long for a continuous run down a walkway or across a wide entry. Custom widths up to four feet are available, so non-standard openings and longer approaches are easy to cover. Color options are brown, gray, and black — neutrals chosen to sit quietly against most building exteriors rather than draw the eye.

Where does Spaghetti Mat look right?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

It reads clean and unobtrusive — the open loop surface and neutral colors suit professional, lighter-traffic entrances like offices, small retail, banks, churches, and motels, where the entrance should look tidy without making a statement. It's the kind of mat that does its job and stays out of the way visually. For a high-volume or industrial door that takes heavy debris, a more aggressive scraper construction is the better fit — but for a polished light-traffic entry, Spaghetti Mat looks right.

By Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing, Mats Inc.

Waterhog Eco Premier Mats put a heavy-duty bi-level Waterhog surface at the door, with a diamond-pattern face that scrapes grit and pulls water off shoes from any direction. The raised pattern traps dirt and moisture below the walking surface so it isn't tracked deeper inside, and a rubber-reinforced face keeps the mat doing that for years instead of crushing flat under traffic.

What a Waterhog Eco Premier Mat Stops Before It Reaches Your Floor

Most of the dirt and water in a building comes in on shoes. ISSA field data shows a building takes on up to 12 times more dirt during wet weather, and it takes six to eight steps to walk a sole dry. A mat at the entrance is what decides whether that grit and moisture get caught — or get ground into the floor past the door.

The Waterhog surface is bi-level: raised ridges scrape grit and water off shoes, and recessed channels hold both below the walking surface so they aren't picked back up. A raised water-dam border rings the mat and keeps what it collects — up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard — on the mat instead of spreading toward your floor.

Why the Diamond Waterhog Surface, and Why This One

The face is solution-dyed PET fiber, 24 ounces per square yard, made from at least 90% recycled content reclaimed from plastic bottles. The diamond pattern gives it multi-directional bite — it scrapes just as well whether foot or cart traffic crosses it straight on or at an angle, which is how traffic actually moves through a wide doorway.

What keeps it working is the rubber reinforcement molded through the raised pattern. It stops the pile from crushing flat under steady traffic, and a crushed mat is the usual reason an entrance mat gets pulled early — once it lies down it stops scraping and starts looking worn. The solution-dyed fiber also resists staining and won't fade or rot, so it keeps its color and grip.

Underneath is a 78-mil SBR rubber backing with 20% recycled tire content, in a universal cleated version for carpet or a smooth version for hard floors. Beveled edges ease the step on and off. You choose a classic rubber border for a tougher, more utilitarian edge, or a fashion fabric border that color-matches the mat for a cleaner, more finished look.

Where It Belongs (and Where It Doesn't)

This is a workhorse entrance mat for indoor and outdoor commercial entries — hotel and office lobbies, retail and restaurant doors, healthcare entrances, schools, and similar high-traffic thresholds. The PET face is rated for indoor or outdoor use and isn't bothered by salt or ice melt, so it holds up at a real front door through the seasons. It's also certified high-traction by the National Floor Safety Institute.

Where it's less suited is the heaviest coarse-debris duty — a loading dock caked in mud and gravel, or a job-site door. It scrapes and holds a lot, but for that kind of punishment you'd put a coarse outdoor scraper first and let the Waterhog finish the job a step inside. As the main entrance mat for ordinary commercial traffic, though, it's built to be the one that does the work.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Three things decide whether this is the right Waterhog for your door.

First, the floor under it. A universal cleated backing grips carpet and stops the mat creeping; a smooth backing is the one for tile, stone, polished concrete, or other hard floors, where cleats can rock. Match the backing to the surface or the mat will shift as people walk it.

Second, the size of the run. It comes in standard sizes from 2'×3' up to 6'×20', plus longer custom lengths. Size it to cover the six-to-eight steps it takes to dry a sole, not just the door opening — an undersized mat lets damp shoes finish the job on your floor and takes all the wear in one strip.

Third, the border. A classic rubber border is the more rugged, lower-maintenance edge for heavy or outdoor use; a fashion fabric border color-matches the mat for a more polished look indoors. Pick by how exposed the spot is and how much the appearance matters at that threshold.

Why Mats Inc.

Mats Inc. has specified commercial entrance matting since 1964, so when you're choosing a Waterhog for a specific door, you're working with people who match the surface, backing, and border to your floor and your traffic rather than reading a box. We help you size the run, pick the backing for your floor, and choose the border for the look you want — and we'll tell you when a coarser scraper belongs in front of it. For the rest of the indoor range, see our all indoor entrance mats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the bi-level diamond surface work?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It works on two levels. The raised diamond ridges scrape grit and water off the bottom of shoes, and the recessed channels between them hold what's scraped below the walking surface, so it isn't picked up again and tracked deeper inside. The diamond layout also means it scrapes from any direction — useful at a wide door where people cross at all angles. A raised water-dam border rings the mat and holds the moisture it collects, up to 1.5 gallons per square yard, keeping it on the mat instead of on your floor.

How long does it hold up, and what wears it out?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

In ordinary commercial traffic, expect years of service. The reason it lasts is the rubber reinforcement molded through the raised pattern — it keeps the pile from crushing flat. A crushed pile is what usually ends a mat's life: once it lies down it stops scraping and starts looking worn.

The 24-ounce solution-dyed PET face resists staining and won't fade or rot, so it holds its look indoors or out. What shortens its life early is the wrong backing for the floor, or sizing it too small so a narrow strip takes all the traffic.

Can I use it outside, and how do I clean it?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Yes — the PET face is rated for indoor or outdoor use and isn't affected by salt or ice melt, so it works at a real exterior door through the seasons, or just inside one. The main limit is the heaviest coarse debris: against mud and gravel, put a rugged scraper first and let this mat finish the job. Cleaning is simple — vacuum regularly, and hose or extract it when it's heavily soiled, then hang it to dry before putting it back down.

What sizes can I get?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

Standard sizes run from 2'×3' up to 6'×20', and longer custom lengths are available for a wide entry or a long walkway.

Size it to the traffic, not just the door. Aim to cover the six-to-eight steps it takes to dry a sole, so the mat protects the floor across the whole approach rather than getting walked past in a stride or two. For a busy entrance, lean toward the larger end.

What does it look like, and what colors are there?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

The diamond pattern gives it a more refined, finished look than a plain ribbed or waffle mat — it reads as upscale enough for a lobby while still being a serious working mat. There are 11 colors to match a building palette, and darker or neutral tones hide tracked-in dirt better between cleanings. Because the reinforced surface doesn't crush into shiny lanes, it keeps an even appearance across the whole mat instead of showing where everyone walks.

What's the difference between the classic and fashion border?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, Vice President of Marketing

The border changes both the look and the durability. A classic rubber border is the tougher, lower-maintenance edge — a good match for heavy traffic or outdoor exposure, where it takes abuse without showing it. A fashion fabric border color-matches the mat for a cleaner, more seamless look that suits a polished indoor entrance. Neither changes how the mat cleans shoes; it's about how rugged versus how finished you want the edge to look at that particular door.

By Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.