Preserve the wear cycle of shopping mall floors with
SUITABLE ENTRANCE MATS
As floors often take up a large part of the budget – both in new builds and in renovations – in shopping malls, it is crucial that they are protected from the pounding meted out by thousands of pairs of shoes on a daily basis.
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ntrance mats to shopping malls must be effective, removing dust and absorbing moisture. Dust must be removed due to the grit and fine debris people carry in on the soles of their shoes, all of which causes fine abrasions on that expensive flooring, while moisture on glossy tiles can cause slips and injury claims. The function of entrance mats is to keep the shopping mall flooring looking pristine and ensuring a reasonable lifespan for the flooring.
So what should specifiers be looking for in shopping mall entrance mats? There are a number of nonnegotiables. The mats must be: • Static. A static mat will attract the dirt mechanically and is known as an active mat (i.e. it actively sucks in the dirt) • Absorbent. The mat must be able to absorb moisture and dry people’s feet / soles of their shoes. It must also be able to harbour the dirt removed. • Heel-proof and robust.
Be aware too that there are internal and external entrance mats and that an internal mat will not cope with the rigours that an external mat can cope with. Shopping mall entrances require both. Maintenance is also crucial. An entrance mat must be regularly vacuumed and cleaned in order to operate effectively and optimally. Decramat’s Mat-Lok Aluguard is an entrance
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What else should specifiers take into account when selecting entrance floor matting for shopping malls? • The anticipated traffic volume • The average stride of an average person • The average amount of footfalls needed to ensure dirt is cleaned off and moisture is absorbed. This will affect the width of the mat required. • Realistically consider how many pairs of feet you expect 1 square metre of matting to handle? And how many sets of trolley wheels?
DECRAMAT +27 (0)12 804 3584 www.decramat.co.za
mat that is guaranteed for four years but has an indefinite lifespan if well maintained. Installed at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in KwaZulu-Natal, the mats have coped with over 300 million pairs of feet and trolleys over the past 17 years. After 18 years of continuous use, Canal Walk, which installed Mat-Lok reversible entrance matting, has only just replaced some of its entrance mats.
Shopping Mall & Retail Design 2018 | 2019
Preserve the wear cycle of shopping mall floors with suitable entrance mats.indd 1
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