Where do we need mats in our school?
Clearly, each school is different, and this will differ according to whether it’s a nursery, primary or secondary institution or a college, but they tend to share similar basic areas. These include an entrance area, classrooms, dining hall, kitchen, gym, office etc.
Each part of your school will need different floor mats for different reasons. But collectively, floor coverings bring numerous varied benefits to your organisation.
What are the benefits of school entrance mats?
The obvious one is that entrance mats trap dirt and water that would otherwise be trailed across your floor in an area of high footfall. Not only is this unsightly and potentially dangerous in terms of slip-and-trip accidents, your cleaners have to spend more time mopping up afterwards. Matting with thick bristles makes the process far more efficient. Not only that but with logo entrance mats you can help brand your school and create identity and atmosphere the moment someone crosses your threshold.
What about floor coverings in gyms and pool areas?
Heavy-duty mats trap water underneath them, allowing swimming pool users to walk around and to the changing rooms safely. (It’s also worth having some matting in the changing areas too.)
Long-lasting and very easily installed, they’re also comfortable to walk over and extremely hygienic.
In gyms, mats deaden sound, stop movement of machines when they are placed under heavy pieces of equipment, and again enhance safety and comfort.
What type of mats work best in the kitchen?
Anti-fatigue matting works well in kitchens and reduces the discomfort of excessive standing by providing underfoot cushioning and promoting subtle foot movement. It can also help alleviate poor circulation, stiffness and general muscle fatigue.
Meanwhile durable rubber mats minimise possible trip hazards in an environment where floors can become grimy or slippery, thanks to food spillages and the like. Hygiene control also improves, since dirt and debris falls through the holes, to be collected below the mat instead of being dragged across the floor as people walk around.
Finally, by creating a barrier between your kitchen floor and anything someone could drop on it, you reduce the risks of items being damaged.
Can I also have mats in classrooms?
Of course! They can deaden sound to create a quieter, more focused learning atmosphere, or designate different areas of a primary school classroom (breaks, story time, playing etc.)
If you have a mat in vivid colours, these can help make for a more energised, vibrant learning experience.
Do I need mats in school corridors?
It’s not a bad idea, since these are clearly busy areas of very high foot traffic. Runner mats work well in these long, narrow spaces. Hardwearing floor coverings provide traction underfoot to prevent slips and falls at busy times such as the start and end of the school day and between lessons. Matting in these areas needs to withstand this footfall and trap excess dirt and water well. It must also be able handle wheels on wheelchairs, trolleys, suitcases and so on.
What does renting my mats mean in practice?
It may sound obvious, but, for the avoidance of doubt, when you hire floor coverings, you don’t own them outright. Your rental company does, while you have use of them on a contract basis.
Should I rent or buy my mats?
There are pros and cons to both, but probably the biggest benefit of renting is that you don’t have to worry about cleaning your floor coverings – it’s all taken care of. Your school mats get taken away for professionally cleaning and replacements are provided. Vacuuming alone won’t cut it; you need regular washing to maximise the lifespan and effectiveness of your floor coverings. When you rent, that’s all part of the service.
Additionally, monthly payments allow you to spread the costs of your school mats, rather than paying large sums upfront to buy them.
How often will my mats be cleaned and replaced?
That is entirely up to you. Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly intervals for us to come and take away your used mats and replace them with fresh floor coverings. We’ll remove the dirty ones for thorough washing at our onsite laundry. And if you want to take a break from the usual routine, for example during the long summer holidays, we can arrange that as well.
We like to send the same person each time so you know who is turning up – we feel this is important in a potentially sensitive environment like a school.
What should I do next?
Get in touch with a member of our friendly team to discuss what your school needs, or fill in the simple online query form and we’ll take it from there.
