Don’t let a visitor’s immediate impression of your facility be a negative one! If your entryway’s flooring treatment isn’t trapping and camouflaging dirt, moisture and debris, you can pretty much assume they’re being tracked (and noticed) throughout your foyer, lobby and elevator bays. And who knows how much further??!!

Barrier entryway protection systems are designed to scrape, brush and trap dirt and moisture before they’re tracked beyond your entryway, while, at the same time, withstanding the wear and tear of high foot traffic.

In order to do an effective job, your barrier mat system must cover sufficient floor area. Four to five steps (15 to 20 feet) will ensure the best results. If an outdoor mat is feasible—if the entry area is well protected from weather conditions with an overhang or awning—then your best bet is one with aggressive, non-absorbent, scraping fibers approved for outdoor use. Mats with an open weave or mesh backing allow moisture to drain naturally, and require minimal maintenance.

Removing and holding dirt and moisture at the threshold prevents it from being tracked through the building. Entryway mats are expected to do "heavy lifting," so be prepared to invest in a high-quality solution. For this application a mat with a drop-through design, allowing dirt and moisture to be trapped below the surface, is a smart choice. This is especially true for high traffic buildings such as hospitals, schools, malls, retail stores, airports and other large, public buildings.

The up-front cost may be higher but a grid product will last longer and offer ongoing labor savings. That’s because accumulated debris needs to be removed only periodically—not every day. But if your budget doesn’t allow for installation of a grid mat, then we recommend the use of a fiber mat made of any number of high-quality materials. Polypropylene fibers, ranging from 75oz per square yard total weight up to 135 oz per square yard, are typically durable, non-staining and quick drying. The fibers are needle-punched into three-dimensional patterns, forming a high-low contour that provides scraping action and pockets of accumulation for debris.

A finishing mat removes whatever moisture and dust might be left on the soles of occupants’ shoes as they enter the interior of the building. But don’t worry that you’re going to have to install something plain and utilitarian, with the look of an industrial product. At RD Weis we understand that customers want to project an upscale look in their lobbies starting with the entryway mat—specific colors and/or patterns to compliment the interior design, even the company logo adorning the mat. There are many matting products on the market today that offer the upscale appearance of luxury carpet while still performing hard labor in trapping dirt and moisture. Just ask an RD Weis representative which is the best for your particular application!

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