Coir mats for the home are often overlooked but serve several purposes. This mat is your first defense against dirt, moisture and other debris that could potentially ruin your home’s interior. Additionally, the Coir Mats act as a subtle but important part of your home’s welcome. For the coir mat to do both jobs properly, the right size must be chosen for entrance. Choosing the wrong size coir mat can lead to either excessive waste of material or a potential hazard in the form of a tripping risk. The right-size coir mat will perform both of its functions well, enhancing the visual appeal of the entrance as well as providing proper function to keep the entrance clean.
Why is Size Important to Function?
Understanding the size of the coir mat before selecting the size will determine how the mat will function at the entrance. The main function of a coir mat is to scrape shoe soles, trap dirt and moisture, and absorb any remaining debris from shoes. The amount of capacity to perform these three functions is directly affected by the size of the coir mat being selected.
The Two-Step Rule states that the best size for an entrance mat is one that allows a person to take a minimum of 2 steps before entering their home. This frees the mat of its primary function - capturing the dirt, mud, and moisture from shoes via scraping of the shoe soles on multiple sides of the coir fibers used to make the mat.
The mat should also cover the "Traffic Zone," meaning that the width of the mat should be equal to the width of the door and be able to easily reach people who are approaching the door. If people regularly walk around the mat because it is too small, then the purpose of the mat has been negated.
You should also consider the size of any interior mat or a runner inside the door. These mat/runners are used to catch any remaining dirt from shoes and protect the flooring underneath. The size should accommodate a person stepping in and that person taking immediate steps (removing shoes) after stepping in.
By utilizing the following guide, you can determine the proper dimensions to make your coir welcome mat.
Measure How Wide the Doorway
To determine how wide the doorway should be, first measure the actual doorframe using a measuring tape (not just the door itself).
As a general recommendation, your Coir Door Mats should have at least 80% coverage of the width of the door when it is open. A perfect example of this would be a 36" front door, meaning you would need a welcome mat that is not narrower than 29" wide.
If you would like to create a more visually balanced appearance at the front of your home, a better option might be to purchase a mat that covers as much as 6 additional inches on either side of the door (equal to 36" or greater)
Take Note of Depth (Length) and Measurement in Relation to the Door
Depth will be the measurement from your door to the outside of your threshold (for the exterior of your home) or upside down, to the inside of your threshold. For example, if your door extends out past the end of your steps, it would be considered a step down (hence, the two step rule).
For the patio area (exterior) you will need a minimum of 24 to 30 inches in depth to allow for both footfalls comfortably. Prior to measuring depth for your new welcome mat, remember to allow for safe and adequate room to open the door without having to step onto the mat, thus creating a trip hazard. The space surrounding a mat on a narrow porch should be bordered by a non-mat surface which extends several inches.
For Recessed Depths: For areas with an interior recessed entry, or a mud room type area, use a longer mat runner. Measure the recessed depth; use a runner that fits snugly within the entry area from door swing point to the start of the main flooring for it to appear to be an integrated runner thus making it more effective and appearing to be built in.