Blue mat surrounding a swimming pool
CategoriesLeisure Matting by

What is Leisure Matting, and how are they installed?

What is Leisure Matting, and how are they installed?

What is Leisure Matting?

Leisure Matting is matting that has been created for use in leisure centres and recreational environments such as gyms, swimming pools and spas. The mats offer additional safety for users by improving grip, especially in wet areas, or by forming a cushioned surface in play areas or gyms.

Our leisure matting range have exceptional drainage qualities that give our clients reassurance that they have purchased a quality product as well as being slip resistant and improving hygiene conditions.

These mats are particularly hard-wearing, they are made of natural rubber which absorbs the impact from heavy sports equipment, insulates noise and protects the floor. They also provide grip and offer athletes a comfortable surface during training.

How are Leisure Mats installed?

Leisure matting can be installed into a variety of applications which vary from swimming pool areas, changing rooms, children’s play areas and many more. Swimming areas would typically use our RibDeck matting to provide an anti slip surface and open holes to aid with drainage. Gym matting is required to help protect the floor coverings from heavy weights and various gym equipment. Not only does our Gym matting protect the floor but it also acts as sound insulation which is particularly useful if the gym is in hotels, offices etc. When using our Gym flooring, such as our popular Solid Gym Tiles it also helps with safety to the public as it helps prevent the risk of injury due to the anti-slip surface to prevent slips and also a soft base underfoot.

Matting Solutions has a wide variety of leisure matting which can be installed in a number of ways which makes us a one stop shop for your area! Whether you are looking for individual gym mats or interlocking tiles for changing rooms we have a number of options available. The advantages of using interlocking tiles is that they are simple to install and they can cover large areas and can go in different directions. There are ramped edges and corners available in the interlocking range to help prevent slip and trip hazards. We also have leisure matting available on a roll that takes very little time to install. Some of our products also come in a variety of colours to help compliment your area. 

Blue leisure mat beside steps into a swimming pool
Benches and free weights on interlocking gym tiles.
CategoriesLeisure Matting by

What Leisure Matting do we have?

What Leisure Matting do we have?

Leisure matting is matting which can be used for non-work related purposes, for a more detailed description of what these can do see our blog on ‘Why do we need leisure matting?’  The main 3 different types we sell in our Leisure Matting product range are Gym Matting, Swimming Pool Matting and Stable Matting. All of our Leisure Matting can also be cut to size in order to suit your environment, so please get in touch by filling out the “Looking for something more bespoke?” form, at the bottom of our home page.

Gym Matting Range

In our Gym Matting range we have 3 different mats, all coming in different sizes! One of the mats we sell is the standard Gym Mat. The Gym Mat is reversible and comes in a standard size of 1.2m X 1.8m, in two different thicknesses, 12mm and 17mm. We would recommend the use of 17mm thick mats for those who power lift extremely high amounts, but the 12mm thick mats also do a great job of protecting your floors beneath them! 

The second type of gym matting in our range are the Interlocking Gym Tiles. These tiles come in 3 different components, where we have the middle tile, corner tile and edge tiles, helping you to decide how you want to lay out your tiles, to best suit your needs. This also means that if in the future you would like to increase the coverage of your floor, you can simply add more, as the installation of these are extremely easy.

The final type of gym matting in our range are the Solid Gym Tiles, where these are similar to the Gym Mat, in the sense that they are a lay-loose mat, with a main middle mat, but only additional ramped edge components which can be easily installed. The main tile is slightly smaller than the Gym Mat, which can give ease to smaller spaces which need coverage, but they still uphold high durability qualities, similar to the other 2 types of Gym Matting.

Swimming Pool Matting Range

In our range of Swimming Pool Matting, we also have 3 different types of mats, where each type comes in a wide range of colours and sizes. The first mat is the RibDeck, which comes in the colours: Black, Grey, Red, Blue and Green. The RibDeck mat is tested to DIN 51097, meaning that it is an anti-slip mat, helping to prevent trip accidents and hazards. 

Another type of Swimming Pool Matting which we sell at Matting Solutions is the Leisure Relief Mat, which comes in colours Blue, Red and Green. The Leisure Relief Mat is manufactured in the UK, and is made from PVC, allowing the high-quality product to withstand constant use. This mat is also tested to DIN 51097, proving its high anti-slip abilities. 

Blue mat surrounding a swimming pool

The final product in our Swimming Pool range is the Flexible Anti-Slip Mat, which comes in the colours of Black, Grey, Red, Blue and Green. This mat comes in interlocking-tiles format, so is very efficient if the size of the mat you’d like to buy is one size, then decide on changing (either increasing or decreasing) the size of it in the future. Similar to the other 2 Swimming Pool Mats, the Flexible Anti-Slip Mat is tested to DIN 51097, helping prove its deserved title of an anti-slip mat.

Stable Mats Range

In our Stable Mats category we have one product which suits the needs for all horses, helping them to ensure great health benefits rather than laying on hard stable floors! Our Stable Mat comes in either 12mm or 17mm thickness, and only in the colour black. Typically this mat only comes in the size 1.2m X 1.8m, but if necessary mats can be cut to size in order to suit a different sized stable. The extremely-easily installed mats provide a bedding for horses, with a long term effect rather than buying bedding constantly on demand. Also, these mats are easily cleaned and have proven anti-slip qualities.

Person washing horse in stable stood on a Stable Mat
Horse standing on stable mat
CategoriesLeisure Matting by

Where and how can can you install leisure matting?

Where and how can can you install leisure matting?

How do you install our leisure mats?

We have a variety of products in our leisure matting product range and to find out which products are in our range take a look at our latest blog on “what leisure matting is in our range”. All of our leisure mats are in fact loose lay meaning they do not need to be installed in a mat well or stuck to the floor. These mats can simply be positioned on the floor and then moved quickly and easily whenever needed. Choosing a loose lay leisure mat is not only easy to install but is cost-effective in the long run as they can be relocated easily to different areas if required and there is no need to warrant installation by a professional flooring contractor. As well as having loose lay floor mats we also have interlocking tiles that are loose lay and the benefit of these are that they can fill large or irregular spaces by connecting the tiles together.

Where can you install leisure matting?

Our leisure mats can be used in a variety of different applications. For example our Ribdeck, Leisure Relief Mat and Flexible Anti-Slip Matting are ideal mats to be used around swimming pools, gyms, showers, changing rooms and other applications where there is a chance of water on the surface. These mats provide extra grip underfoot to reduce the risk of slipping and tripping on wet floor tiles whilst still remaining comfortable to walk on barefoot. These mats also have holed surfaces which makes it an effective solution as water can easily drain away from the mat towards a nearby drain, increasing the safety further. 

Red Leisure Mat beside swimming pool

Interlocking Gym Tiles, Gym Mat and Solid Gym Tiles are perfect mats to be located in a public gym, leisure centre or home gym as they provide a protective solution to the actual floor. Dropping weights and excessive wear and tear can quickly ruin the floor however, our gym mats provide a solution to this issue. With these mats predominantly made out of rubber they are incredibly hard wearing and durable so they absorb the impact of weights being dropped as well as increasing safety as they bounce and roll less. Of course we would recommend a thicker mat for the heavier weights being dropped on the floor. 

Horse and its jockey standing on stable mat

Our Stable Mat is also an ideal mat to be located in a horse stable, horse trailer, yard flooring or animal shed as the textured finish provides extra comfort for the horse and the horse handler underfoot. On one side of the Stable Mat is a textured surface which provides maximum grip for the animal and the person, on the flip side is a grooved finish to allow for effective drainage of rain, water and other fluid. Not only is this mat easy to install, it also reduces the amount of bedding that is needed to be used as it increases insulation. These mats reduce the amount of dust levels for improved health and can be tightly butted together to cover larger areas and floors.

Need assistance with which leisure mat is right for you?

If you are looking for a leisure mat but not sure which mat is best for you, then please don’t hesitate to contact us and we would be happy to help.

Blue leisure mat beside steps into a swimming pool
CategoriesLeisure Matting by

Why do we need leisure matting?

Why do we need leisure matting?

Our leisure matting range is designed for use in recreational environments, such as leisure centres, horse stables and gyms. The mats create a cushioned surface and offer improved safety by improving grip. There are many reasons leisure matting is needed, and we have set out some of the key reasons below.

Leisure Centres & Gym Matting

Primarily, leisure matting assists with protecting floors and the user, by creating a cushioned surface, helping to absorb impact shocks. It is due to this that our Gym Mat, which is manufactured from 100% closed cell vinyl foam, is increasingly important in environments such as gyms, where there are a mix of both extremely heavy weights and foot traffic. As well as offering protection to floors, the pebbled surface of our Interlocking Gym Tiles provide increased slip-resistance and can also help to reduce noise levels.

Benches and free weights on interlocking gym tiles.
Blue mat surrounding a swimming pool

Leisure Centres & Swimming Pool Matting

In addition to protecting floors, our leisure mats offer crucial assistance for avoiding slips and trips in wet environments, such as swimming pools, changing rooms and commercial kitchens, which account for many slip-related accidents. These areas are often very busy, creating a vast range of hazards that could easily be avoided with our RibDeck or Leisure Relief Mat due to the anti-slip top surface, and the flexible PVC which is a hygienic material that is easily cleaned and doesn’t support the growth of bacteria. The diamond pattern on our Flexible Anti-Slip Mat is designed to allow surplus liquid and debris to drain away, instead of resting on the surface, which in turn provides slip-resistance underfoot.

Stable Mats

Another purpose of our leisure matting range is due to the benefits they can provide in environments such as stables and trailers. Our Stable Mat can offer increased warmth, particularly through the winter months, due to the solid rubber acting as a perfect insulator. In addition, the mats can protect the animals, offering protection from hard concrete floors. Finally, the mats can result in a number of cost savings, reducing the bedding required but also saving lots of time on mucking out!

Horse standing on stable mat

If you need any guidance finding the perfect leisure mat for your environment and purpose, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Man stood at a workstation on a black/yellow deluxe workplace mat
CategoriesAnti-Fatigue Matting by

Anti-Fatigue Mats explained

Anti-Fatigue Mats explained

The facts behind absenteeism due to MSD's

A lot of people have to stand for long periods of time for their job whether that be manufacturing, packing stations, retail and catering outlets are just a few environments where people work on their feet for the majority of the day. 

  • 22.8% of workers in Europe have experienced muscular pains
  • 24.7% suffered back ache
  • 45.5% complained about working in painful or tiring positions. 

These problems are called Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) which are injuries or disorders that affect body movement and they are currently the most common work related health condition in the EU that are expected to affect almost 50% of the population by 2030. They are the cause of most long term absences. 

Regularly standing on hard floors can cause MSDs, however the problem is that sitting down for long periods of time isn’t good for us either. MSDs can cause personal suffering, impact on productivity and be costly for both businesses and society. 

Graph showing relationship between cost to employers and absenteeism due to MSD's

How to prevent absenteeism due to MSD's

Fatigue from standing for long periods of time, day after day can cause more serious health problems including painful foot elements, stiffness and muscular pain as well as varicose veins and other circulatory problems. Pain, fatigue and tiredness can also cause concentration lapses that can potentially lead to other accidents and injuries. 

It is an employer’s responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable workplace. In many cases simple precautions such as using anti-fatigue mats can greatly reduce the risks linked with regular, excessive standing. 

Looking into how anti fatigue mats work is important to understand the impact they can have on your workforce and their performance. When we walk the calve muscles contract and activate the venous pump, however when we stand still blood can pool in the feet and lower legs causing swelling and circulation is affected. Nevertheless the underfoot cushioning provided by anti fatigue matting provides small, unnoticeable foot movements as the feet adapt to the surface. This is enough to make the muscles contract and expand to improve circulation. They also provide a reduced impact of walking and relief from standing on a cold, concrete floor. 

If you want to find out more about the benefits of anti fatigue mats or would like to find the perfect mat for your environment then take a look at one of our previous blogs. If you need further help then please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.

Person standing on black Rubber Anti-Fatigue mat with X detailing
CategoriesAnti-Fatigue Matting by

The running costs of owning anti-fatigue mats

The running costs of owning anti-fatigue mats

Buying an anti-fatigue mat for the workplace brings an incredible return on investment as it increases output from your workforce as they are less fatigued throughout the day. In addition to this it reduces the rate of absenteeism caused by Muscular Skeletal Disorders (MSDs), caused by standing on hard floors for long periods of time and over long periods of time this can have significant implications to the financial side of the business. 

If you understand that anti-fatigue mats create an incredible return on investment to your workforce then you will also want to know the costs involved with owning your anti-fatigue mats including the initial purchasing cost, the costs involved in cleaning the mat, how often they need to be cleaned and how often they would need to be replaced. Don’t worry, in this blog we will cover everything you need to know about the costs included in owning your own anti-fatigue mat.

The initial cost of an anti-fatigue mat

Within our anti-fatigue product page you can see a wide range of products to choose from with a single 0.9m x 0.76m mat starting at a price of £14.99 (Orthomat Lite Anti-Fatigue) escalating to a 1.2m x 10m heavy duty mat that is £1504.99 (Heavy Duty Woven PVC Anti-Fatigue Mat). However, with many different options and variations available we are sure we can find the right mat for your budget and environment. Included in the range we also have many different variations to choose from included size, colours, hazardous trim, holed, solid etc. Many mats have also been specifically designed for different environments so we would strongly recommend you either use the filter options on the anti-fatigue matting page or visit our blog on ‘what anti-fatigue mat should I choose?’.

Man standing on a Black Orthomate Lite

The cost to clean an anti-fatigue mat.

Our anti-fatigue mats are either foam or rubber. For foam mats we would advise to clean the mats using a brush to push off most of the debris and dirt and then use a wet cloth or a map to clean them. We would not recommend using abrasive equipment as this can cause wear and tear to the mat. For rubber mats we would recommend the same, a brush followed by either a wet cloth or a mop with warm, soapy water. We would also advise using a pressure washer or a hose if you wanted to for the rubber mats as they are a bit more hard wearing so this won’t cause wear and tear. For all anti-fatigue mats in our range it is extremely cost effective to clean them as the only real cost is for a bit of soap and water.

How often do you have to clean an anti-fatigue mat?

How often you have to clean an anti-fatigue mat really depends on the location and environment the mat is being used in. For example if you are in a wet or oily environment it would need to be cleaned more often than if it was in a dry, oil and chemical free environment. On the whole we would recommend cleaning an anti-fatigue mat every week when you are having a general tidy up or just when you notice the mat looking dirty. 

How often would an anti-fatigue mat need replacing?

Replacing an anti-fatigue mat really is dependent on where your mat is placed, the environment it is located, the exposure to liquid and chemicals, the amount of footfall and which mat you have already purchased. 

For example if you are using a foam anti-fatigue mat e.g. a Premium Orthomat Anti-Fatigue in a location that has high footfall and using it in an oily and wet environment it will last a lot shorter than a hardwearing Worksafe Anti-Fatigue Mat that is used by a couple of people in a dry packing area. 

If you were to buy an anti-fatigue mat such as the Anti-Fatigue Step Tiles the cost to replace the mat might be a lot less as you can just buy a replacement tile rather than a completely new mat. There might be an area where someone stands more frequently or might be a section that gets oils and chemicals more and in this case you can simply replace that anti-fatigue tile with another. 

On the whole we recommend that you replace a foam anti-fatigue mat every 1 – 3 years (depending on general wear and tear, environment and other points previously mentioned). However, we suggest every 3 – 5 years for replacing rubber anti-fatigue matting. 

Get in touch

If you would like to know any more information then please feel free to contact us and we will be willing to answer any questions you may have on anti-fatigue matting or similarly you can look into our blogs for more information. 

Close up of cables flowing through a heavy duty protector
CategoriesCable Protector by

Where can cable protectors be used?

Where can cable protectors be used?

Our range of cable protectors can help to prevent cables, wires or pipes from being damaged or causing trips, acting as ramp-like features with small spaces underneath them which are capable of holding a number of cables. The cable protectors can be used in a number of different places, but where are they most useful?

Wheeled object running over black heavy duty cable protector

Factories or warehouses

Cable protectors are most commonly found in factories and warehouses, where there can be hundreds of cables and wires throughout the building. Our Heavy Duty Cable Protector has been designed for industrial use and use around heavy operating machinery, with a high-resistance non-slip surface and reducing wear and tear on all cables, wires and hoses. In addition to protecting the cables that they are covering, they also reduce trip hazards for the workforce, making it a safer environment for all.

Schools or offices

Schools and offices have cables and wires throughout all spaces, for all of their electrical equipment and other things, such as cleaning supplies. In addition to our cable protectors acting as an easy solution to avoid health and safety hazards, such as our Cable Protector Mat, which can be placed on any surface including carpets or hard floors, they can also help to keep wires separate and prevent any tangling, helping to keep them secured and tidy. Our Cable Protector Data is low rise and highly flexible, allowing for foot traffic to pass without causing any disruption or hazards.

Man walking over cable protector pro in hard office shoes
Wires running into a computer through a cable protector data

Walkways and other public places

Places such as exhibitions, sporting events and festivals are always full of electrical equipment, which, in addition to the frequent foot traffic from the public, fans and supporters, can lead to multiple health and safety concerns for organisers, as well as wires being crushed, pulled or worn down, ultimately leading to huge increase in costs. Our Heavy Duty Cable Protector or Cable Protector Pro could be the perfect solution to these problems, offering heavy duty protection with a ramped edge, allowing for safe crossings for everyone.

Whatever temporary or permanent solution you need for your workspace or event, we will have the product for you. If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or read any of our other blogs relating to our cable protector range!

Wires covered by a hazardous marked mat
CategoriesCable Protector by

What Cable Protectors do we have in our range?

What Cable Protectors do we have in our range?

Matting Solutions have a variety of cable protectors available, they vary in size to accommodate most cable sizes and come in a variety of lengths. They are manufactured from PVC, so where required they can be cut on site. 

Our cable protectors are manufactured in the UK and readily available. 

The difference in our cable protectors is mentioned below with some easy to use diagrams.

Cable Protector Data:

Data 1: 

As you can see from the image below our Cable Protector, Data 1 has two channels for the wires to pass through, the seam underneath helps with placing the cable through the product. 

Diagram showing lengths of Data 1 cable protector

 

Data 2: 

Again, this product has two channels, but one is slightly larger than the other.

 

Diagram showing lengths of Data 2 cable protector

Cable Protector Pro:

Normal: Size of the channel is 14mm x 8mm. Please note, these measurements do have a slight tolerance. 

This range is available as a 3m or 9m length either black only or black/yellow.

Diagram showing lengths of Normal Cable protector pro

 

Large: Larger channel for cables which can fit a tube or cable at 30mm wide x 10mm thick. 

Again this is available in 3m or 9 lengths, black only or black with yellow lining to prevent any hazards.

Diagram showing lengths of large Cable protector pro

Heavy Duty Cable Protector:

Our Heavy duty Cable Protector is available in two different styles at both at two different lengths. 

One Duct: This is available at either 3m or 9m lengths and is extremely heavy duty. The channel is 23mm in diameter. 

Diagram showing lengths of one duct heavy duty cable protector

 

Two Duct: This Cable Protector is available in 4.5m or 9m lengths with two channels available both at 23mm in diameter. Again, underneath the cable protector you can see the seam to help place the cables within the channels. 

 

Diagram showing lengths of two ducked heavy duty cable protector

Cable Protector Mat:

This Cable protector is a perfect solution for offices or retail areas where style is important. The cable protector mat is complete with a durable nitrile back to ensure minimal movement. It comes with a channel underneath for the cables to lay. It is also suitable for conditions such where there is underfloor heating. The black and yellow ramped edge helps with visibility and to ensure there is no trip hazard underfoot. 

Close up of wheeled object going over a heavy duty cable protector
CategoriesCable Protector by

What are Cable Protectors, and what are their benefits?

What are Cable Protectors, and what are their benefits?

What are cable protectors?

There is no doubt that health and safety regulators across the globe use cable protectors for an extreme amount of benefits to the workplace, but to introduce, what actually are cable protectors? To put it simply they are a material that lies over cables, wires, pipes, hoses and many other industrial tubing. They’re usually hump/ramp shaped, allowing for cables to flow underneath. This therefore helps to prevent any damage to the industrial tubing, as they are made out of durable and stable materials.

What are the benefits of using cable protectors?

You may wonder what are the benefits of having cable protectors in the workplace. The first benefit is in the name in that they provide a protection to cables that run through the protector. The protectors ensure the cables are ot walked on, pulled on, ripped or damaged by people stepping or pulling on them. 

Another key benefit is that these protectors also organise and make the office or workplace look a lot tidier as these give the wires a flush finish and make the environment look less cluttered. 

As well as making the environment look tidier and less cluttered, cable protectors also increase the safety in the workplace as people are less likely to trip over loose wires. Included in our cable protector range, the Cable Protector Pro and the Cable Protector Mat also have a yellow tread option. This makes it more visible to be careful around the cable protector as it will be more obvious that there are wires underneath.

HDMI and ethernet cable flowing through a rubber sleeve
Wires covered by a hazardous marked mat

Why are our cable protectors perfect for you?

All of our cable protectors also have ramped edging to decrease the chance of tripping as much as possible, which have proven to build up costs to employers in the UK. Even though there will still be a slight increase in height these ramped edges should make a difference to the amount of people that trip over the protector but it will definitely decrease the amount of people that would trip if it was loose wires in the way. The ramped edging is also a vital feature as it makes it a lot easier for people to transport forklifts, sack barrows and trolleys over the wires without the need to lift or maneuver awkwardly.  As well as this, many of our cable protectors have yellow lines on to bring attention which makes them stand out to help prevent any trips, such as the Cable Protector Pro. There are also other cable protectors with hazardous tape on the edges.

All of our cable protectors are incredibly easy to install as they are loose lay, meaning they do not have to be stuck or mounted to the floor they can be positioned on their own and won’t move. They are suitable for almost every environment indoors to increase safety. Typical applications include offices, schools, exhibitions, public places and many more. To find out if our cable protectors would suit your environment visit our “where to put cable protectors blog”. 

If you need any further assistance on how the installation of a cable protector can increase the safety and tidiness of your workplace then please contact us to see how we could help.  

CategoriesEntrance Matting by

Where can entrance mats be used?

Where can Entrance mats be used?

Entrance mats can be used in all buildings, every entrance needs an entrance mat!

The first thing you see when you walk into the building is the entrance mat so you want to ensure that you opt for the most appropriate and stylish product. If you are not sure what product to choose, please do not hesitate to ask our experienced team.

Best places for your entrance mat

Whether your entrance is part of a school, retail shop entrance, commercial office block, gym, the list goes on, you need an entrance mat!

We have entrance mats which can be laid to surface which means it lays on top of the existing floor, this may be ceramic tiles, carpet tiles etc. The laid to surface mats come complete with a ramped edge to ensure it is not a trip hazard to the public and makes it easier for wheeled traffic to be driven over the entrance mats.

Black doormat outside bifolding doors

Inside vs outside door mats

Entrance mats can be used inside the building where the carpet material is used or externally where the rubber material should be chosen to ensure it can cope with the environment and the elements.

At Matting Solutions our large range of entrance mats also come in a variety of colours and sizes which is extremely helpful for all the different environments and entrances where they will be used.