Poolside Mats

What Heronrib does before a wet pool deck takes someone's feet out

A poolside or locker-room floor seems harmless until someone crosses it barefoot and the water underfoot decides the rest. It's tempting to trust textured tile or a fast mop. But on a flat surface, water spreads into a thin film right where bare feet land, and tile that grips when dry turns slick the moment it's wet.

Heronrib is built to clear that film. Its two-layer body sits on channelled underbars that self-drain in four directions, so water runs off and away instead of pooling on top. The embossed surface gives bare feet a firm grip. That's what makes it a true non-slip pool mat rather than one that only feels safe dry.

On a barefoot wet floor, a slip isn't minor. The National Floor Safety Institute links wet, hard floors to a large share of slip-and-fall injuries, and pools, showers, and changing rooms keep those floors wet from open to close. A mat that drains water away and holds grip underfoot is doing safety work every hour it's down.

Why a self-draining PVC build, and why this one

Heronrib is made from strong, non-porous PVC, and non-porous is the word that matters in a barefoot wet area. Because water can't soak in, the mat doesn't stay damp or harbor the bacteria and fungus that thrive on wet floors. On top of that, it's built with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, so it actively resists the athlete's foot fungus and mildew that locker rooms and showers tend to grow.

The two-layer construction is what makes the drainage work. Channelled underbars lift the walking surface off the floor and send water away in four directions, while the embossed top holds traction. That grip is certified — Classification C on the DIN 51097 barefoot ramp test, and a 0.9 dry / 0.7 wet reading on ASTM F1677 — strong figures for a surface people cross with no shoes on.

It's also made to last in tough conditions. The PVC resists most acids, alkalines, and oils, stands up to UV without degrading, and works from below freezing up to 140°F, so an outdoor deck and an indoor shower are both fair game. The two-layer body adds cushioning and sound absorption underfoot, so a busy pool hall is a little softer and quieter to walk through.

Where it belongs — and what it isn't

Heronrib earns its place wherever bare feet meet a wet floor. That's the pool deck and pool surround, but also changing rooms, locker rooms, shower rooms, spa and sauna areas, and the wet zones of gyms and recreation centers. Because it works indoors or out and contours to uneven surfaces, it suits both a tiled shower floor and a textured outdoor deck.

It's worth being clear about what this mat is not. It's a walk-on barefoot surface, not a flotation device, and not the liner-protector sheet that goes under an above-ground pool. If you're after a mat to put under a pool or a float for the water, this isn't that product. Heronrib works on top of the deck, under your feet — on concrete, tile, or a finished pool surround.

For larger areas it behaves like a system. Rolls join edge-to-edge with connector clips or welded snap track to cover a whole pool hall seamlessly, ramped edging finishes the borders so there's no trip lip, and floor hooks anchor sections where they need to stay put. The same mat scales from a single shower bay to a wall-to-wall deck.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Heronrib is easy to order well once you've settled three things.

First, plan the layout and joins. For a single shower or changing bay, one cut piece does it. For a full deck or pool hall, rolls join side-to-side and end-to-end with connector clips or welded snap track, so map where the seams fall and where you'll want ramped edging to finish an exposed border cleanly.

Second, measure the whole wet path, not just the obvious spot. The walk from the pool to the showers, the full changing-room floor, the lip around a spa — size the mat to cover wherever feet are actually wet, because a dry-foot gap is exactly where the next slip happens. It cuts to fit on site, so odd shapes and obstacles aren't a problem.

Third, plan for heat and movement outdoors. The PVC handles sun and a wide temperature range, but like any thermoplastic it can shrink slightly — up to about 2%, faster in heat — so on a hot, exposed deck, anchor sections with floor hooks and leave a little room at fixed edges rather than butting it tight wall to wall.

Why Mats Inc.

We've been matching mats to real floors since 1964, and barefoot wet areas are where the wrong choice gets noticed fastest — by feet, by inspectors, and by anyone who slips. We'll help you size Heronrib to your actual wet path, plan the seams and edging for a clean install, and choose the right anchoring for an outdoor deck. It's part of our wider lineup of pool and wet-area matting, and every order is backed by our 1-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's Heronrib made of, and how does it drain so well?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's made from strong, non-porous PVC in a two-layer build. The top layer carries an embossed surface that grips bare feet; underneath, a set of channelled underbars lifts that surface off the floor and lets water run away in four directions. So instead of sitting in a puddle, water clears the moment it lands. The non-porous PVC won't soak up moisture, and it's built with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, so the same mat that drains also resists the bacteria and fungus wet floors tend to breed.

How slip-resistant is it for bare feet, and will it last outdoors?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Its grip is certified for barefoot use specifically — Classification C on the DIN 51097 ramp test, with a 0.9 dry / 0.7 wet reading on ASTM F1677, both strong for a no-shoes surface. As for lasting outdoors, the PVC resists UV without degrading, shrugs off most acids, alkalines, and oils, and works from below freezing up to 140°F. That combination is why the same mat holds up on a sun-exposed deck and in a daily-use shower room without going brittle or slick.

What sizes does it come in, and can it cover a big area?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It comes in 33-foot rolls in 2-, 3-, and 4-foot widths, and you cut it to fit on site. For a large pool hall or deck, rolls join side-to-side and end-to-end with connector clips or welded snap track, so there's no practical limit to the area you can cover in one continuous, seamless surface. For a small space like a shower bay, a single cut piece does the job. Custom matting is available when a standard width won't fit the layout.

Besides right at the pool, where does Heronrib make sense?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Anywhere people go barefoot on a wet floor. It's a natural fit for changing rooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms, the surrounds of spas and saunas, and the wet zones of gyms and recreation centers — not just the pool deck itself. Because it works indoors or outdoors and contours to uneven ground, it's as comfortable on a textured outdoor deck as on a tiled indoor floor. If a space mixes bare feet, water, and foot traffic, it belongs there.

What does it look and feel like underfoot?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It has a clean, ribbed, embossed surface that reads as purposeful — clearly there to grip and drain rather than to decorate. The look is low-key and functional, the kind of surface that signals the floor is handled without drawing attention to itself. Underfoot, the two-layer body adds a bit of cushioning and even absorbs sound, so a busy, echoey pool hall feels a touch warmer and quieter to cross. If a specific color or finish matters for your space, let us know and we'll confirm what's available.

My pool area is an odd shape with drains and corners — will it fit?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Almost certainly. Because it cuts to fit on site and contours to uneven surfaces, you can shape a run around drains, ladders, corners, and changing benches instead of forcing the space to match a fixed mat. Ramped edging finishes any exposed border so there's no trip lip, and for a tricky footprint custom matting is available. Send us the dimensions and the obstacles, and we'll map out a layout that covers the wet path cleanly.

Written by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

What Heronair does before a wet work floor causes a fall

In a busy work area, the floor gets wet and stays wet — washdown, splashes, drips, tracked-in water. It's easy to assume a quick mop or a coat of non-slip paint keeps people safe. The catch is that water spreads into a thin film on a hard floor, right where people walk and stand, and a painted or tiled surface that grips dry can turn slick the moment it's wet.

Heronair is built to take that film out of play. It's an open-grid PVC mat that's impermeable to fluids, so water and debris drop through and disperse below the surface instead of pooling on top. The etched surface gives shoes traction, and the mat keeps draining even when the floor around it is soaked. That's the difference between a real non-slip wet-area mat and a surface that only behaves when it's dry.

A wet, slick work floor isn't a minor nuisance. The National Floor Safety Institute ties wet, hard floors to a large share of slip, trip, and fall injuries, and a walkway or wet work zone keeps feeding that risk shift after shift. A mat that drains the water away and holds grip underfoot is doing safety work the whole time it's down.

Why a lightweight tubular PVC build, and why this one

Heronair is made from non-porous PVC in a two-layer, tubular construction — and that hollow build is the heart of what makes it different. The tubes make the mat genuinely light: at around 0.9 pounds per square foot, it's easy to lift, roll, and reposition by hand. In a space where mats get pulled up for cleaning or moved between tasks, that lightness is a real day-to-day advantage.

The same open structure that keeps it light also keeps it draining. Liquids pass straight through and clear away beneath the mat, and it's certified slip resistant at R11 with V10 drainage under DIN 51130. Grip comes from an etched surface, so traction is strongest across the lines of the pattern. The hollow body also insulates against a cold floor and absorbs sound, taking some of the chill and clatter out of a hard work area.

Because people stand on these floors for hours, the cushioning matters. The give in the tubular build reduces fatigue underfoot, which is easier on legs and backs than bare concrete. The PVC itself resists most acids, alkalines, and oils, handles UV without degrading, and works from below freezing up to 140°F. Made in black, it's produced from post-industrial recycled material — averaging at least 30% recycled content — and the whole mat is 100% recyclable.

Where it belongs — and what it isn't

Heronair belongs in wet, working spaces where people are on their feet in shoes. Think light-industrial areas and walkways, washdown zones, beverage and prep stations, and the wet service and back-of-house areas around a pool — pump and equipment rooms, plant rooms, and staff walkways — rather than the barefoot deck itself. Wherever liquids underfoot meet standing workers, it earns its place.

It's worth being clear about what this mat is not. It's a shod, walk-on work mat — not a barefoot-certified pool mat, not a flotation device, and not the liner sheet that goes under an above-ground pool. For the barefoot pool deck, shower, or changing room, a barefoot-rated mat is the right call. Heronair's job is the working wet floor, in shoes, where drainage and anti-fatigue support matter most.

How it goes down is simple. It comes in 33-foot rolls, cuts to fit on site, and contours to uneven surfaces, so it follows a real floor instead of fighting it. For larger areas, rolls join side-to-side and end-to-end with connector clips or welded snap track, and ramped edging finishes an exposed border so the mat doesn't become a trip point.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Heronair is easy to order well once you've thought through three things.

First, match it to the duty. This is the lighter, more versatile end of wet-area matting — ideal where you want easy handling, anti-fatigue support, and reliable drainage in shoes. For the most punishing wet floors or the highest wet-grip demands, a heavier, higher-traction mat may suit better. Be honest about how hard the floor gets worked before you choose.

Second, measure the whole wet path and plan the joins. Size the mat to cover wherever liquid actually reaches — the full washdown zone, the length of a walkway — since a dry-foot gap is where the next slip waits. For bigger areas, map where rolls will join with clips or snap track and where ramped edging finishes the border.

Third, plan for heat and movement. The PVC handles a wide temperature range, but like any thermoplastic it can shrink slightly — up to about 2%, faster in heat — so in a hot space or an exposed spot, leave a little room at fixed edges rather than butting it tight wall to wall, and use edging or clips to keep sections in place.

Why Mats Inc.

We've been matching mats to real floors since 1964, and wet work areas are where the wrong mat shows up fastest — in sore legs, slick steps, and mats too heavy to bother moving. We'll help you decide whether Heronair's lightweight, easy-handling build fits your space or whether a heavier mat suits the duty, size it to your actual wet path, and plan the seams and edging. It's part of our wider lineup of pool and wet-area matting, and every order is backed by our 1-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's Heronair made of, and why is it so light?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's made from non-porous PVC in a two-layer, tubular construction — essentially an open grid of hollow tubes. That hollow build is why it's light: about 0.9 pounds per square foot, easy to lift, roll, and move by hand. The open structure also means it's impermeable to fluids — water and debris drop straight through and clear away underneath instead of pooling on top. So the same thing that makes it light also makes it drain, and keeps the walking surface usable when the floor's wet.

How slip-resistant and tough is it, especially with chemicals around?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's certified slip resistant at R11 with V10 drainage under DIN 51130, with traction coming from an etched surface — grip is strongest across the lines of the pattern, reading 58 to 77 wet on the ASTM E303 pendulum test depending on direction. On toughness, the PVC resists most acids, alkalines, and oils, stands up to UV without degrading, and works from below freezing up to 140°F. That's what lets the same mat hold up in a washdown area, a chemical-prone work zone, or an outdoor walkway without going brittle.

What sizes does it come in, and can it cover a large floor?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It comes in 33-foot rolls in 2-, 3-, and 4-foot widths, and you cut it to fit on site. For a large floor, rolls join side-to-side and end-to-end with connector clips or welded snap track, so you can cover a whole walkway or work area in one continuous surface. Because it contours to uneven ground, it follows a real floor rather than needing a perfectly flat one, and custom matting is available when a standard width won't fit.

Can I use this around a pool, or is it really a workplace mat?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It's really a workplace mat, and that's where it shines — light-industrial areas, walkways, washdown and prep zones. Around a pool, its place is the working, in-shoes areas: pump and plant rooms, staff walkways, and back-of-house service spaces, rather than the barefoot deck or shower. For those barefoot areas you'd want a barefoot-rated pool mat instead. If your space is a wet floor where people work on their feet in shoes, Heronair fits.

What does it look like underfoot?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It has a practical, industrial look — an open, etched grid that clearly reads as a working surface built to drain and grip, not as decoration. The standard color is black, which is the easy choice for a work area because it hides the grit, oil, and debris these floors collect between cleanings; the black version is also the one made from recycled material. Other colors are available if you want to mark off a zone or match a scheme — tell us what you need and we'll confirm the options.

My work area has an awkward layout — will it fit, and is it easy to live with?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Yes on both counts. Because it cuts to fit on site and contours to uneven surfaces, you can shape a run around machinery, drains, and corners instead of forcing the space to match a fixed mat. And it's genuinely easy to live with day to day: it's light enough to lift or roll up for cleaning by hand, needs no special tools, and rinses down with a hose. Send us your layout and we'll help you plan widths, joins, and edging.

Written by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

What Vinyl Loop Mats do before water and sand get tracked across your floor

At a pool entry or a wet threshold, the problem isn't only the water — it's everything that rides in on wet feet. Sand, grit, and dripping water come off the deck and get tracked across the floor inside, where they turn smooth surfaces slick and grind away at the finish. A smooth mat at the door just moves the puddle; it doesn't deal with what's on people's feet.

A vinyl loop mat works differently. Its surface is a dense tangle of looped vinyl strands, open all the way through, so it scrapes water, sand, and grit off the soles of feet and lets all of it fall down into the open structure, below where you step. People walk off the mat with cleaner, drier feet, and the debris stays trapped underneath instead of traveling indoors.

That matters most right where wet meets dry. The National Floor Safety Institute ties wet, contaminated floors to a large share of slip-and-fall injuries, and a pool doorway or locker-room threshold sees a steady stream of wet, sandy feet all day. A mat that strips that water and grit off at the transition is doing safety and floor-protection work at the same time.

Why a looped-vinyl build, and why this one

The whole idea rests on the loop structure. Instead of a flat top, a vinyl loop mat is built from a mass of springy, looped vinyl filaments running in every direction. Because the loops face no single way, the mat scrapes from any angle — useful at a doorway where people approach from all sides. The open weave between the loops is what gives water and sand somewhere to go.

Vinyl is the right material for a constantly wet spot because it doesn't absorb water. Rather than soaking up moisture and staying soggy, the open structure lets water drain straight through and air-dry, which also helps it resist the mildew and odor that plague water-logged fabric mats. It stays springy underfoot and rinses clean easily.

Vinyl loop mats usually come in two setups, and which one you want depends on the spot. A version with a backing makes a self-contained scraper mat that sits on a finished floor; a version without backing leaves the structure fully open so water flows straight through to the surface below — the better pick for a soaking-wet deck or a recessed well. We'll confirm the exact build options for this mat with you before you order.

Where it belongs — and what it isn't

A vinyl loop mat is at its best at transitions — the places where a wet area meets a drier one. Think the entry from a pool deck into the building, the threshold of a locker or changing room, the step out of a shower area, and outdoor walkways and deck entries where sand and water collect. It's a scrape-and-drain mat for the doorway and the path, more than a full-coverage surface for an entire deck.

It helps to be clear about what this mat is not. It's a walk-on scraper-and-drainage mat, not a flotation device, and not the liner sheet that goes under an above-ground pool. If you're after a mat to put under a pool or a float for the water, this isn't that product. And it isn't a cushioned barefoot deck mat — its job is to strip water and grit off feet at the transition, on top of concrete, tile, or decking.

One honest note: because this mat comes from a maker that doesn't publish a full spec sheet, we confirm the details that matter — exact thickness, sizes, colors, and backing options — directly before you order, rather than guess at them. What's certain is the function: an open looped-vinyl surface that scrapes and drains at the points where wet feet would otherwise track water and sand indoors.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Because the published details on this mat are limited, three questions are worth settling up front — and we'll confirm each with you.

First, decide backed or unbacked. If the mat sits on a finished indoor floor as a scraper, a backed version keeps debris contained on top of the floor. If it's going on a soaking deck or into a recessed well where you want water gone immediately, an unbacked version lets it flow straight through. The spot decides the build.

Second, size it to the transition, not the whole room. This is a doorway-and-path mat, so measure the actual wet entry or threshold where feet land first. A mat sized to the transition catches the water and sand at the source; stretching it across a full deck is usually the wrong tool for the job.

Third, confirm the specifics with us before ordering. Thickness, available sizes, colors, edging or nosing options, and any safety or chemical notes aren't all published for this mat, so rather than assume, send us your application and we'll verify what's available and what fits — including anything that matters for an outdoor or pool-chemical setting.

Why Mats Inc.

We've been matching mats to real floors since 1964, and a transition mat only works if it's the right build in the right spot. Because this mat's maker publishes limited specs, we do the legwork — confirming sizes, backing, and any safety details directly, and telling you honestly whether a vinyl loop mat is the right call for your entry or whether another wet-area mat fits better. It's part of our wider lineup of pool and wet-area matting, and every order is backed by our 1-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a vinyl loop mat, and how does it handle water?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Picture a dense tangle of looped vinyl strands bonded into a springy, open mat — no flat surface, just loops running every direction. That open structure does two jobs at once. The loops scrape water, sand, and grit off the bottoms of feet, and the gaps between them let all of it fall down into the mat, below where you walk. Because vinyl doesn't absorb water, the mat drains and air-dries instead of soaking and staying damp, which also helps it resist the mildew and odor that build up in a constantly wet spot.

How tough is it, and what are the exact specs?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

The durability comes from the material and the structure: vinyl loops flex underfoot and spring back rather than crushing flat, and vinyl shrugs off the water and mildew that rot fabric mats. I'll be straight with you on the numbers, though — this mat comes from a maker that doesn't publish a full spec sheet, so exact thickness, weight, and any test ratings aren't something we'll print from guesswork. Tell us your application and we'll confirm the specifics directly before you order, rather than put unverified figures in front of you.

What sizes can I get, and can it be cut to fit?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Vinyl loop mats are typically made to order and cut to fit a specific entry or threshold, which suits this kind of transition mat well. The exact standard sizes and custom widths for this particular mat aren't fully published, so we confirm them with you as part of the order. The practical approach is simple: measure the wet entry or doorway where feet land first, send us the dimensions, and we'll tell you what's available to cover it.

Where does a vinyl loop mat make the most sense?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Right at the transitions, where a wet area hands off to a drier one. The classic spots are the entry from a pool deck into a building, the threshold of a locker or changing room, the step out of a shower, and outdoor deck entries where sand and water collect on the way in. It's a scrape-and-drain mat for doorways and paths — the place to stop water and grit before they get tracked across the floor inside — rather than a full-coverage mat for an entire deck.

What does it look like?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It has a distinctive open, looped texture — a tidy tangle of vinyl strands rather than a smooth or ribbed surface — which reads as practical and purpose-built for a working entry. Being open, it sits visually light rather than looking like a solid slab at the door. Color choices for this particular mat aren't fully published, so if a specific color matters for your space, let us know and we'll confirm what's available before you commit.

My entry is an odd shape — can this be made to fit it?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Most likely, yes. Mats like this are generally cut to fit a specific opening, so an awkward doorway, a recessed well, or a path with corners is usually workable rather than a dealbreaker. Edging or nosing on exposed sides is often an option too, to finish a cut edge cleanly. Because the published options are limited, the best path is to send us the shape and dimensions of your entry, and we'll confirm what can be made to fit it.

Written by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

What Floorline does before a wet floor sends someone down

Around a pool, behind a bar, or across a changing-room floor, the wet patch you don't notice is the one that trips someone. It's easy to assume textured tile or a quick mop has it covered. But water spreads into a thin film on a flat surface, right where feet land, and a surface that grips dry can turn slick the instant it's wet — in shoes or bare feet.

Floorline is built to clear that film. Its open-grid, embossed surface lets water and spills drain straight through to the floor below, so the part you stand on stays above the puddle. The etched top gives shoes and bare skin a firm grip. That combination is what makes it a true non-slip wet-area mat rather than one that only behaves when it's dry.

A slick leisure or wet floor isn't a small problem. Hygiene and floor-care authorities like ISSA point to wet, soiled floors as a leading source of both slip injuries and sanitation issues, and a pool deck, bar, or changing room keeps those floors wet all day. A mat that drains the water away, grips underfoot, and rinses clean is doing real safety and hygiene work.

Why a thin, single-tier PVC build, and why this one

Floorline is made from a single tier of flexible, non-porous PVC in an open-grid form. That single-tier build is the heart of what sets it apart: at 1/4 inch thick and about 0.76 pounds per square foot, it's the lightest, thinnest mat of its kind we carry — genuinely easy to carry, move, and lift for cleaning, and soft enough underfoot that standing on it all shift is easy on the legs.

Thin doesn't mean it gives up grip. It carries the highest slip and drainage certifications of its family — R11 and V10 under DIN 51130, Classification C on the DIN 51097 barefoot ramp test, and a 1.0 dry / 0.8 wet reading on ASTM F1677. So it's rated for both shoes and bare feet, with water clearing through the grid the whole time. It's also built with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that protect bare feet against the fungus changing rooms tend to grow.

It holds up in tough, wet conditions too. The non-porous PVC resists most acids, alkalines, and oils, stands up to UV, and works from below freezing to 140°F, so an outdoor deck and an indoor shower are both fair game. It carries a EN13501-1 Cfl-s1 fire classification, absorbs sound, and is 100% recyclable with no SVHC substances.

Where it belongs — and what it isn't

Floorline earns its place anywhere water and feet meet. That's the pool deck and poolside walkway, shower floors, changing and locker rooms, and recreation centers — and just as much the wet floors of hospitality, like bar flooring, commercial kitchens, and the areas behind a counter where spills and breakages are constant. Because it's certified for shoes and bare feet alike, one mat covers a lot of ground.

It helps to be clear about what this mat is not. It's a walk-on surface mat, not a flotation device, and not the liner sheet that goes under an above-ground pool. If you're after a mat to put under a pool or a float for the water, this isn't that product. Floorline works on top of the floor, under your feet — on concrete, tile, decking, or a finished pool surround.

One honest note for outdoor use: the PVC resists sun, but the red color isn't colorfast in constant direct sunlight, so a red mat in full sun will fade over time. For exposed outdoor decks the darker color is the safer pick; in shaded or indoor spaces, either holds up fine.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Floorline is easy to order well once you've settled three things.

First, match it to the duty. This is the light, thin, soft end of wet-area matting — ideal where comfort underfoot, easy handling, and reliable grip matter, like a bar floor, a changing room, or a poolside walkway. For the most punishing, heavy-rolling-load floors, a thicker, heavier mat may suit better. Be honest about how hard the floor gets worked before you choose.

Second, measure the whole wet path. The walk from the pool to the showers, the full length behind a bar, the changing-room floor — size the mat to cover wherever feet are actually wet, because a dry-foot gap is exactly where the next slip happens. It comes in 2- and 3-foot-wide rolls and cuts to fit on site, so odd shapes and obstacles aren't a problem.

Third, plan for sun and heat outdoors. Choose the darker color for spots in constant direct sun. And like any thermoplastic, the PVC can shrink slightly — up to about 2%, faster in heat — so on a hot, exposed deck, leave a little room at fixed edges rather than butting it tight wall to wall.

Why Mats Inc.

We've been matching mats to real floors since 1964, and wet leisure and hospitality floors are where the wrong choice shows up fastest — in slips, in sore feet, and in mats too awkward to lift and clean. We'll help you size Floorline to your actual wet path, choose between widths, and pick the right color for sun or shade. It's part of our wider lineup of pool and wet-area matting, and every order is backed by our 1-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's Floorline made of, and how does it grip and drain?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's made from a single tier of non-porous, flexible PVC in an open-grid form with an embossed top. Two things make it work on a wet floor. First, the open grid lets water and spills drain straight through to the floor below, so you're standing on the mat instead of on a film of water. Second, the embossed surface gives shoes and bare feet edges to grip. The PVC is non-porous so it won't soak up moisture, and it's built with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties to resist the fungus and bacteria wet floors breed.

How slip-resistant is it, for shoes and bare feet?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's rated for both, which is part of what makes it versatile. It carries R11 and V10 drainage under DIN 51130 for shod traffic, Classification C on the DIN 51097 barefoot ramp test, and a 1.0 dry / 0.8 wet reading on ASTM F1677 — among the strongest figures in its family. Grip comes from an etched surface, so traction is best across the lines of the pattern. In practice that means the same mat works under a lifeguard's shoes and a swimmer's bare feet without compromise.

What sizes does it come in, and can I cover a large area?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It comes in 33-foot rolls in 2- and 3-foot widths, and you cut it to fit on site — no special tools or prep visit needed. For a longer run, like a poolside walkway or the length behind a bar, you simply lay and trim to the distance you need. Because it contours to uneven surfaces, it follows a real floor rather than needing a perfectly flat one. For widths beyond the standard rolls, ask us and we'll work out the best layout.

Where does Floorline work best?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Anywhere water and feet meet, indoors or out. It's a natural around pool decks and poolside walkways, in showers, changing and locker rooms, and recreation centers. It's also a favorite in hospitality — bar floors, the area behind a counter, and commercial kitchens — where spills and the odd breakage are constant and staff are on their feet for hours. Because it's certified for both shoes and bare feet, one mat handles a lot of different spaces.

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

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It has a clean, low-profile grid look that reads as tidy and purposeful rather than bulky — being thin, it sits close to the floor and doesn't dominate a space. It comes in black and red. Black is the easy, neutral choice that hides grit and debris around a pool or behind a bar, while red can mark off a zone or add a little warmth. Just keep the red out of constant direct sun, where it can fade over time.

My space is an odd shape and I'll be moving the mat to clean — is that easy?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Both are easy, and they're where this mat shines. Because it cuts to fit on site and contours to uneven surfaces, you can shape a run around drains, corners, and fixtures instead of forcing the space to match a fixed mat. And being the lightest, thinnest mat of its kind, it's simple to roll or lift by hand for cleaning — rinse it, let the floor underneath dry, and lay it back down. Send us your layout and we'll help you plan it.

Written by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing, Mats Inc.

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.

What Versa Runner does before water and grime turn a floor slick

In a wet area, the floor problem usually isn't the water you can see — it's the thin, greasy film that builds up where water mixes with whatever else is on the ground. You might figure a solid rubber mat handles it. The catch is that a solid mat traps that film on top, right where feet land, so the surface that's supposed to help can end up just as slick.

Versa Runner takes a different route. Its surface is cut with slotted perforations, so water and grime drain straight through instead of pooling on top. Side-to-side scraper ribs and a knobbed top give shoes something to grab, and the ribbed underside channels liquid out from beneath the mat. The result is a non-slip surface that keeps working while the floor around it stays wet.

A slick wet-area floor is one of the most common places people get hurt. The National Floor Safety Institute ties wet, hard floors to a large share of slip-and-fall injuries, and a pool deck, locker room, or wet work zone feeds that risk all day. A mat that drains the water away and holds traction underfoot is doing real safety work.

Why nitrile rubber, and why this one

Versa Runner is made from 100% nitrile rubber, and that choice does a lot of quiet work. Nitrile shrugs off grease, oils, and animal fats that would soften or break down lesser rubber, so the mat keeps its shape and grip in tough conditions. For a wet area that also sees cleaning chemicals or kitchen runoff, that chemical resistance is what keeps it from going gummy or brittle.

It's also built with a MicroStop anti-microbial compound, which inhibits the bacteria and fungi that love to settle into damp, warm spots like pool surrounds and shower floors. Pair that with the through-draining slotted surface and you get a mat that doesn't sit in its own moisture. At 3/8" thick, it stays low enough that carts and wheeled traffic roll on and off without catching an edge.

The same build that drains also cushions. The ribbed underside adds a measure of give, so standing on it for a stretch is easier on the legs than standing on bare concrete or tile. And because nitrile is genuinely durable, the mat takes foot traffic, rolling loads, and repeated wash-downs without falling apart — it's made to stay in service, not to be replaced every season.

Where it belongs — and what it isn't

Versa Runner belongs wherever a floor stays wet and people keep moving. Around a pool that means the service and back-of-house zones as much as the deck itself: the bar or concession floor, the path into the locker room, shower and changing areas, and equipment or pump rooms. It's just as at home in kitchens, food-prep areas, and other wet work zones where grease and water share the floor.

It's worth being clear about what this mat is not. It's a walk-on drainage runner, not a flotation mat and not the liner-protector sheet that goes under an above-ground pool. If you came looking for a mat to put under a pool or a float for the water, this isn't it. Versa Runner works on top of the floor, under your feet, on concrete, tile, or a finished deck.

One honest note: this is a rubber mat built for service and work areas, so it's happiest indoors or in covered, shaded wet zones. The source doesn't rate it for constant sun or direct pool-chemical contact, so for a fully exposed, barefoot sunbathing deck, ask us first — we'll tell you straight whether it's the right fit or point you to a mat that's purpose-built for that spot.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

Versa Runner is easy to order well if you sort out three things up front.

First, choose between a cut mat and a roll. Cut mats in set sizes drop in fast at a single station — a bar, a shower entry, a pump-room doorway. Rolls come in 2-, 3-, and 4-foot widths and run up to 60 feet, which you cut to length on site to cover a long deck run or a whole wet aisle in one continuous piece.

Second, map the width to your walkway. Measure the wettest path — pool edge to locker room, or the lane behind a bar — and pick the roll width that covers it without leaving a dry-foot gap where people step off the mat onto slick floor. A runner only protects the path it actually covers, so size it to the traffic, not just the doorway.

Third, think about edges and transitions. A cut mat sits with straight edges, which is fine in the middle of a run but can be a lip where people step on from a dry surface. Where that transition matters, plan the layout so the mat butts against a wall or threshold, or ask us about edge options, so the mat itself never becomes the thing someone trips over.

Why Mats Inc.

We've been matching mats to real floors since 1964, and wet areas punish the wrong pick fastest. We'll help you decide between cut mats and rolls, size the width to your actual traffic path, and flag the things that bite people later — sun exposure, transitions, chemical contact. It's part of our wider lineup of pool and wet-area matting, and every order is backed by our 1-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Versa Runner made of, and how does it drain?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's made from 100% nitrile rubber, with a surface cut full of slotted perforations and a knobbed, scraper-ribbed top. Water and grime fall through the slots to the floor below instead of pooling where you step, while the ribs give shoes and bare feet traction. Underneath, a ribbed pattern channels liquid out from beneath the mat and adds a little cushioning. It's also built with a MicroStop anti-microbial compound that helps hold back bacteria and fungi in damp spots.

How well does it hold up to heavy use and chemicals?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Nitrile rubber is the reason it lasts. It resists grease, oils, and animal fats that would break down ordinary rubber, so it keeps its grip and shape through wash-downs and daily traffic. At 3/8" thick it's low enough for carts and wheeled loads to roll on and off without snagging, yet substantial enough to take real foot traffic. For a wet area that also sees cleaning chemicals, that chemical resistance is what keeps the mat from turning gummy or brittle over time.

Can I get it in a custom size or just standard mats?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Both. You can order set-size cut mats for a single spot like a doorway or a station, or buy it by the roll in 2-, 3-, or 4-foot widths up to 60 feet long. The roll is the flexible option — it cuts cleanly on site, so you can run one continuous piece down a long deck or wet aisle and trim it to the exact length your space needs.

Where around a pool does this actually make sense?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Its sweet spot is the working, wet parts of a pool area rather than the open sunbathing deck. Think the floor behind the bar or concession stand, the walk into the locker room, shower and changing areas, and pump or equipment rooms — anywhere water and foot traffic mix indoors or under cover. It's a rubber mat built for service zones, so for a fully sun-exposed deck it's worth checking with us before you commit.

What does it look like underfoot?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It has a practical, no-nonsense look — a black surface broken up by drainage slots and a ribbed, knobbed top that reads as purposeful, like equipment that's there to do a job. Black is the standard color, and it's a smart one for wet work areas because it hides the grit, scuffs, and bits of debris these floors collect between cleanings. It's not trying to be decorative; it's trying to keep people upright.

My space is an odd shape — will it fit?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Almost certainly. Because the roll cuts easily on site, you can shape a run around drains, ladders, corners, and equipment instead of forcing your floor to match a fixed mat. That makes it a strong pick when an off-the-shelf size just won't sit right. If you'd like help planning the layout or choosing widths for a tricky footprint, send us the dimensions and we'll map it out with you.

Written by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO, Mats Inc.

What WaterPro does before a wet pool deck becomes a fall

A wet pool deck or locker-room floor looks harmless — until someone walks across it barefoot and the water under their feet does the deciding. It's easy to trust textured tile or a quick mop. The trouble is that water sits in a thin film on a flat surface, exactly where bare feet land, and tile that grips when dry can turn slick the moment it's wet.

WaterPro is built to take that film out of the equation. Its open-weave surface lets water drain straight through to the floor below, so the part you stand on stays above the puddle instead of in it. The molded grid gives bare feet and wet shoes real traction. That's the difference between a true non-slip pool mat and a mat that only feels safe when it's dry.

On a barefoot wet floor, a slip isn't a minor thing. The National Floor Safety Institute links wet, hard floors to a large share of slip-and-fall injuries, and pools, showers, and locker rooms keep those floors wet all day. A mat that drains the water away and holds grip underfoot is doing safety work every hour it's down.

Why an open-weave vinyl build, and why this one

WaterPro is made from soft, flexible vinyl shaped by injection molding into an open-weave grid. The soft vinyl is the part bare feet notice first — it's comfortable to stand and walk on, not hard and cold like tile. Just as important, the vinyl is blended with fungicidal compounds that resist athlete's foot fungus and mildew, which is exactly the problem damp locker rooms and shower floors tend to grow.

The open-weave pattern does double duty. Water and grit fall through the surface and collect below, so the top stays cleaner and drier underfoot, and there's nowhere for a slick film to pool. Because the mat is low-profile, it sits close to the floor — comfortable for bare feet and easy to walk on without a tripping lip at the edge.

The vinyl stays flexible, which makes it easy to live with: it has no bent memory, doesn't rattle underfoot, needs no pan beneath it, and lifts out for a quick hose-down or clean. It's also ADA compliant, can contribute toward LEED credits, and is made in the USA — details that matter when a mat has to satisfy a spec as well as a swimmer.

Where it belongs — and what it isn't

WaterPro earns its place anywhere bare feet meet a wet floor. That's the classic pool deck and pool surround, but also aquatic centers, spas, saunas, hot-tub surrounds, shower and changing areas, and locker rooms. It even suits sand-heavy spots like beach resorts, where the open weave lets sand drop through instead of grinding underfoot. Wherever water and people share the floor, the job is the same: drain it, grip it.

It helps to say what this mat is not. It's a walk-on surface mat, not a flotation device, and not the liner-protector sheet that goes underneath an above-ground pool. If you're after a mat to put under a pool or a float for the water, this isn't that product. WaterPro works on top of the deck, under your feet — on concrete, tile, or a finished pool surround.

How it goes down depends on the space. It can lie loose with a finished vinyl ramp edge, drop into a recessed area for a flush, seamless look, or sit in a surface-mounted frame where you want a defined border. The same mat suits a tucked-in shower entry or a wall-to-wall locker-room floor.

Three Things to Check Before You Spec It

WaterPro is forgiving to order, but three things decide whether it fits your space the first time.

First, pick your installation style. A loose-lay mat with a ramped edge is the simplest — it drops in and can move for cleaning. A recessed install sits flush for a seamless, trip-free finish where the floor is prepped for it. A surface-mounted frame gives you a clean, defined border on an existing floor. Match the method to how finished the space needs to look.

Second, measure the whole wet path, not just the obvious spot. The walk from the pool to the locker room, the full shower floor, the area around a hot tub — size the mat to cover where feet are actually wet, since a dry-foot gap is where the next slip happens. Because it cuts to size on site and custom sizes are unlimited, odd shapes aren't a problem.

Third, choose the color with the room in mind. WaterPro comes in blue, black, gray, and green, with custom colors available. Blue and green read fresh and aquatic around a pool; gray and black hide grit and read more neutral in a locker room or spa. The color is a chance to fit the mat to the space rather than fight it.

Why Mats Inc.

We've been matching mats to real floors since 1964, and barefoot wet areas are where a wrong choice gets noticed fastest — by feet, by inspectors, and by anyone who slips. We'll help you choose an install style, size WaterPro to your actual wet path, and pick a color that suits the room. It's part of our wider lineup of pool and wet-area matting, and every order is backed by our 1-year limited warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's WaterPro made of, and how does it keep its grip when it's wet?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

It's made from soft, flexible vinyl that's injection-molded into an open-weave grid. Two things make it grip when wet. First, the open weave lets water drain straight through to the floor below, so you're standing on the mat instead of on a film of water. Second, the molded grid pattern gives bare feet and wet shoes real edges to hold onto. The vinyl is also blended with a fungicidal compound, so the same surface that grips also resists the athlete's foot fungus and mildew that damp floors tend to grow.

Will it hold up in a chlorinated, constantly wet pool area — and stay sanitary?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

That's the environment it's built for. The vinyl is made to live in constant moisture without breaking down, and because it's low-profile and loose-lay, you can lift it to hose it off and let the floor underneath dry — no trapped water, no pan to empty. The fungicidal compound works against the fungus and mildew that thrive in warm, wet, barefoot spaces, which is what keeps a locker room or shower from turning into a health problem. Routine cleaning is quick: rinse it, and it's ready.

Can I get it cut to fit my exact pool deck or shower?

Answered by Dustin Thompson, Owner & CEO

Yes — that's one of its strengths. WaterPro cuts to width and length right on site, so it can follow the real shape of your deck, wrap around a corner, or fit a narrow shower entry without forcing your space to match a stock size. Custom sizes are unlimited, so whether you need a small mat at a shower threshold or a wall-to-wall run across a locker room, it can be made to the footprint you actually have.

Where does WaterPro work besides right at the pool?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Plenty of places beyond the pool's edge. It's at home in aquatic centers, spas and saunas, hot-tub surrounds, shower and changing areas, and locker rooms — anywhere people are barefoot and the floor stays wet. It even suits sand-prone spots like beach resorts, where the open weave lets sand fall through instead of grinding underfoot. If a space combines water, bare feet, and foot traffic, it's a candidate.

What colors does it come in, and which works best around a pool?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

It comes in four standard colors — blue, black, gray, and green — and you can order custom colors on top of that. Around a pool, blue and green feel natural and fresh, picking up the water and the outdoor setting. In a locker room, spa, or shower, gray and black read more neutral and do a better job hiding the grit and debris these floors collect between cleanings. The color isn't just looks; it's a way to make the mat feel like it belongs in the room.

Can I match it to my facility's look or get a custom color?

Answered by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing

Yes. Beyond the four standard colors, custom colors are available, so you can bring the mat closer to a facility's palette instead of settling for whatever's on the shelf. Combined with unlimited custom sizing, that means a resort, club, or aquatic center can specify a mat that fits both the space and the look it's going for. If you have a specific color or finish in mind, send it over and we'll tell you what's possible.

Written by Jinna Hopson, VP of Marketing, Mats Inc.