Various types of carpets or mats, such as the 3M Drop Down Mat, are suitable for preventing dirt from entering the interiors. The entrance of any location is the first critical area for dirt, as this is the point from where the most contamination can enter the rooms. Only by taking the necessary preventive measures, one can reduce the volume of dirt entering by more than 40%. This value can reach up to 80% with the help of 3M products.
The dirt trap systems
Dirt traps are made up of a series of entrance mats with different functions. A complex system consists of three phases, the first of which catches large solid contaminants such as gravel and mud. The second removes the smaller dirt that remains on the surface, such as dust and sand, and the third phase is used to absorb moisture and water.
On this basis, the zonal approach distinguishes between three types of entrance mats: outdoor, intermediate zone, and indoor mats. These zones can be arranged in many variations, and it is even possible that one or two-phase are missing entirely.
What are the criteria to choose from?
We have put together several considerations to think about before making your choice, to ensure that the right entrance mat is placed in front of/near the door.
Specificities of the paths leading to your home
The cleanliness of a room and the difficulty of maintaining it is influenced by several things. For example, the routes along which people walk, the size of these routes or paths, the volume and nature of the traffic. These can be used to determine what kind of pollution control mat to choose.
Outdoor or indoor
A crucial question is whether you want to install the entrance mat outdoors or indoors. For outdoor mats, you need to consider climatic specificities, such as the snow, and the effects of rainfall and UV radiation. Outdoor entrance mats are designed to remove dirt from the soles and sides of shoes, thus preventing solid dirt from settling on the floor surface.
The purpose of indoor dirt traps, on the other hand, is mainly to absorb moisture and, of course, to remove any remaining dirt from the surface of the shoe.
The material of the entrance mat
The material of the mat should be chosen according to whether it will be used outdoors or indoors.
Rubber-based mats are most often placed outdoors, made from a strong and durable material, thus providing effective work and are easy to clean. They're available in both roll and modular versions, so it's easy to have a textile version indoors.
Textile entrance mats are very common, thanks to the fact that they are available in a variety of designs: some are made of rubber, some are plastic, the fibre thickness can be longer or shorter, and the fibre composition can even differ.
The third main material used for entrance mats is aluminium. They are very robust and modern and elegant, which is why they are the preferred choice for office buildings. They can be placed anywhere, in any shape and can be easily adapted to the environment.
Advantages of the 3M entrance or drop down mats
The 3M drop down mat has many advantages over other types.
· There are many versions available, offering optimal solutions for various unique local needs. For example, the Nomad is recommended for low traffic (up to 500 people/day) indoor cleaning, the Nomad Terra is for picking up special dirt outdoors and indoors, and there are also tangled fibre and self-adhesive versions available.
· Depending on the type, the drop down mats are very durable. Even the thinner and less resistant models will last for a long time.
· With 3M, quality is guaranteed.
· Due to the aesthetic appearance, they add to the overall look, not detract from it. In certain situations, such as an office building or a hotel, this is an important consideration.
Keeping dirt, mud and moisture out is not only important for cleaning, floor protection and aesthetics, but also for safety considerations. Look at the solutions Flanker offers!
