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Whenever you walk into a house, whether a neighbor’s, friend’s, or even an Airbnb, there is always something that greets you instantly: the doormat. Doormats are always there hiding in plain sight. When you take a moment to notice them however, you realize they have quite an important role.
Doormats are the first item to represent any home. They provide a sneak peek of the character of the interior, just as a movie trailer shows you what the story is all about. A big responsibility for such a small piece of textile.
|In addition, doormats offer protection for the internal floors, despite being used outdoors. These features are what inspired the rug and design realm to look into doormats more in detail.
Here is some useful insight on how to pick the right doormat for your home and make your entrance interesting, attractive, and inviting.
What Is a Doormat?
|A doormat is a piece of textile used in a doorway. Doormats are typically placed on the exterior of a door, whether a balcony door, a patio door, or the main entrance.
Some doormats can also be positioned inside the door. These are called indoor mats.
The primary function of a doormat is for people to wipe their shoes before entering the house so that the interior remains clean. As such, they are sometimes referred to as shoe mats or welcome mats.
Doormats provide the first layer of protection against water, mud, or dirt. In addition, they create the first impression for anyone visiting your home. This is why the design of a doormat, as well as its material and size, does matter.
Standard Doormat Sizes & Dimensions for Outdoors
|The standard doormat size for a door with sidelights is 24″ x 36″. A 21″ x 33″ doormat can also be used in this case.
The doormat size for a back door or a single door is 18″ x 30″. This is also one of the most common doormat sizes used.
How big your doormat should be depends on the size of your doors when measured with the sidelights. A good way to figure out what would look well dimension-wise is to draw with chalk the 30’’, 33’’ and 36’’ marks. Then you can see which dimension better suits your home.
Welcome Mat Dimensions
A welcome mat typically has the dimensions of 18″ x 30″.
However, in order to make the entrance more appealing and create a nicer design, bigger mats can also be used. A welcome mat of 24″ x 36″ can really make a statement and bring your entrance to another level.
What Size Doormat Is Better for Double Doors?
Double doors usually are 6 feet wide and require a doormat that would be 4.9 feet wide. This is almost twice as big as a standard doormat. The reason being that double doors require more protection.
Best Outdoor Doormat Materials & Advantages
When it comes to material, the best doormat should be strong, durable, water-resistant, and sustainable. It is always better for a doormat to be heavy and withstand mold, snow, or mildew.
The most common materials used to make doormats are fabric like cotton, polyester, synthetic. In addition, doormats are also made of metal, rubber, or coir. Coir is a natural material deriving from coconuts. Some doormats are made of nautical rope such as Lobster rope.
Rope Doormats
|Rope doormats are made of nautical rope, the ones used in ships and boats for fishing. These ropes are made of polyolefin, a soft synthetic fiber. They are quick, attractive, and relatively cheap doormat solutions.
Rope doormats come in many colors and display a very inviting coastal character.
Rope doormats are soft, lightweight, and flexible, all good qualities in warm climates. However, these doormats are not very durable in places with strong winds. In addition, they tend to slip when you wipe your feet on them.
Their color might fade slightly over time unless a UV protective layer is applied to them.
Lobster Rope Doormats
Lobster Rope Doormats are a category of rope doormats that are more durable and stable. They are made of polypropylene, the same material used to capture lobsters at sea.
These doormats are more resistant to salt, water, snow, sand, mold, and mildew. They can be used outdoors for years.
These mats are heavy and non-slippery. They come in different designs and can be placed in many settings to create another layer of décor.
Another advantage of these doormats is that you can flip them over and use both sides.
Fabric Doormats
|Fabric doormats are also referred to as carpet doormats. They are mainly used indoors, however, you may choose to use those mats outside as well in order to add a splash of color to your entryway.
These doormats are made of acrylic, polyester, cotton, nylon, or wool. They are soft to the touch and quite easy to clean.
Fabric doormats however are very lightweight and slippery. They do not perform well under extreme weather conditions and can get dirty quite easily which is their major drawback.
You can use fabric doormats none the less as a base for a coir doormat and create a nice layered design.
Rubber Doormats
Rubber doormats are probably the most popular ones due to their contemporary look. In addition, these mats are durable, waterproof, and very flexible. One of their major disadvantages however is their performance under cold weather.
Rubber doormats get very hard and lose their flexibility when they spend a lot of time in the cold. So if you live in a warm county, definitely go for it. If you have a lot of snow, ice, and cold mornings, these mats are not for you.
Metal Doormats
Metal doormats are quite unique and peculiar. They can be crafted to match the style of your home and provide a great level of detail to your entryway. Mainly, these doormats are used to enhance a traditional style home.
Metal doormats are also known as cast iron doormats. They are durable and very easy to clean. These doormats do not hold any mildew or mold and are of course water-resistant. They are usually fitted with a rubber backing that prevents them from slipping.
Metal doormats, however, are mainly decorative as they do not have any soft material to capture the dirt from wiping your shoes. So if it is functionality that you are looking for, maybe keep looking for something else.
Wire Doormats
|Wire doormats are made of galvanized wire that is meant to age over the years and provide a rustic or vintage look. They are perfect for cottages or rural areas, or even a city artistic studio. These doormats are composed of wires that can almost be considered mesh.
They do provide the advantage to remove dirt from your shoes, however, all the particles are still left on the floor. Therefore, wire doormats do not retain any snow, sand, or mud. Better performance is achieved through a combination of wire and brush doormats.
Coir Doormats
|Coir doormats have become the latest sensation when it comes to mats. They are made of environmentally-friendly fibers that come from the coconut.
These doormats are very easy to paint on top and can be customized to fit any décor. They are water-resistant, durable, and strong.
The coconut husk that makes coir doormats however is not the softest of materials. So their only drawback is that they are not too pleasant to step on barefoot. Another small disadvantage of these doormats is that they might shed a bit during the first few weeks.
Coir doormats can also be combined with rubber backing and even metal frames for another layer of detail.
In addition, custom sizes such as the Gosling Curl Door Mat from Wayfair are also available.
Brush Doormats
|Brush doormats are usually combined with a rubber backing to provide a flexible doormat mainly for commercial settings. They are not very design-oriented but they do however ensure durability.
Wooden Doormats
Wooden doormats are quite the eye candy. They create a warm and welcoming detail in the entryway. In addition, you can combine these mats with a larger fabric doormat and create a multilayered design.
When it comes to performance, however, wooden doormats might not be as good as the rest.
These mats are easy to clean but their color fades soon after being used. In addition, wooden doormats cannot trap dirt, snow, or sand. They do not offer much protection from outdoor debris.
Lastly, if you live in cold climates where water freezes often, wooden doormats can be slippery and dangerous.
Best Outdoor Doormats
The best doormats are able to combine design, style, and function. They should be fancy enough to enhance your entryway and always look fresh. In addition, the best doormats should provide a considerate level of protection against debris so that you will not need to clean the interior too often.
So, keeping this in mind, here are three of the best doormats of 2021:
The GrassWorx Clean Machine Big Welcome Doormat
The GrassWorx Clean Machine Big Welcome Doormat is made of AstroTurf scraper blades and weighs 7 lbs. It is 24 x 36 x 1 inches and performs quite well in snow. It is resistant to mold, moisture, and mildew.
In addition, this doormat has an interesting design combining small plastic blades as well.
The DII Heavy Duty Natural Rubber Outdoor Doormat
|The DII Heavy Duty Natural Rubber Outdoor Doormat is a natural rubber doormat that reaches 24 x 0.4 x 36 inches. It weighs 9 lbs and is perfect for cleaning dirt from shoes. It can also retain mud and slush and prevent it from entering the inside of the home.
This rug has a vinyl backing which makes it quite durable and appropriate for all weather conditions.
Last but not least, it features a unique design that can bring some creativity to your doorstep. The DII Heavy Duty Natural Rubber Outdoor Doormat is perfect for traditional homes as well, despite being made of rubber.
The PLUS Haven Pure Coco Coir Doormat
|The PLUS Haven Pure Coco Coir Doormat features a doormat design that can match every style of décor. You cannot go wrong with this one. It is made of 100% coconut coir which is eco-friendly and water-resistant. It measures 17.3 x 7.1 x 4.7 inches and weighs 4.65 lbs.
This rug can become dry in seconds after getting wet and performs really well under extreme weather conditions.
See more:
- Best high traffic area rugs
- Wool vs Polypropylene rugs
- Ideas for decorating with area rugs on hardwood floors
FAQ:
What is a layered doormat?
A layered doormat is a style composed of two textiles, a bigger rug at the bottom, and a smaller doormat on the top. Typically the bottom rug needs to be 3′ x 5′. This can be a softer textile like cotton or any other type of nonskid fabric.
The top doormat can be 2’ x 3’ and can be placed in the center of the bottom rug. Layered doormats are a fun and creative way to mix patterns, colors, and designs to create an inviting and playful entrance.
How much does a doormat weigh?
The weight of a doormat can vary depending on the material and size.
- Lobster rope doormats can weigh around 6-10 lbs.
- Nautical rope doormats can weigh around 5 lbs.
- Coir doormats can weigh around 3 lbs.
- PVC doormats can weight from 1.3-10 lbs.
How often do you need to replace a doormat?
|The general rule is to check whether your doormat needs to be replaced after the first year of use. If you notice your doormat has too many wears and tears it is time to get a new one. It actually depends on the material of the mat.
A metal doormat is quite resistant while a fabric mat will need to be replaced more often. Rubber mats are generally good for a year.
It also depends on the climate (whether it snows a lot or not), location (whether there is too much humidity or sand), as well as foot traffic (whether it is used daily or just once in a while).
There are some tells however that can help you figure out if it is time to replace your doormat. If you notice any of the signs below, start looking for a new mat ASAP:
- Faded color, texture or patterns (a minor sign that your doormat has started to wear and tear)
- Curled edges (a dangerous sign that means you might trip and fall)
- Hard to clean (a minor sign that dirt cannot be removed any more)
- Slippery (a dangerous sign that the protective rubber backing is chipping away and the doormat has become unsafe)
- Uncomfortable (a minor sign that the material quality has started to fade)
Is a doormat easy to clean?
Doormats are easy to clean. Although it depends on the material, doormats are in fact designed and manufactured to be resistant to sand, snow, dirt, mud, and other debris.
They can be cleaned with a soapy solution or water. In addition, you can also vacuum them or just shake them free of dry dirt.
What is the best doormat for sand?
|A fabric doormat is the best one for sand if used indoors. A coir doormat is the best one to trap sand for outdoor use.
Fabric doormats are easy to clean, vacuum, or shake free of sand which makes them quite versatile. In addition, they come in a variety of colors and natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, polyester which makes them soft to the touch.
Coir doormats are rough and heavy. They can trap sand and protect your floors from any dirt entering your home. They are made of 100% natural fibers that come from the husk of the coconut.
What is the best doormat for snow?
|The best doormat for snow and cold weather is a Lobster rope doormat. This type of doormat falls under the nautical rope category, however, it is more durable, stable, and attractive.
Lobster rope doormats are made from heavy polypropylene ropes used to capture lobsters. They can withstand harsh weather as well as mold or mildew. This is the best doormat to use in areas with snow because the rope can trap snow and prevent it from entering the house.
In addition, this material is heavy and does not slip, even if the floor is frozen. Lastly, Lobster doormats are water-resistant and reversible. If they get too dirty, you can just flip them over for a brand new look.
What is the best doormat for pool areas?
|The best doormat for pool areas is a nautical rope doormat. Nautical rope doormats are made of polypropylene rope. They are rather soft when you step on them barefoot right after a swim in the pool.
In addition, these rope mats are handmade, unique, and of very high quality.
Nautical rope doormats are water-resistant and can withstand mold and mildew. They come in different colors, designs, and weaves, all showcasing a nautical character.
You can choose between a wide selection, which one best matches your pool setting decor. These mats are durable, sustainable, and flexible.
Can you use metal doormats outside?
You can definitely use metal doormats outside. They are quite durable and long-lasting. Metal outdoor doormats however are mainly decorative.
They are usually cast iron with rubber feet to prevent them from moving or retaining water underneath. Metal doormats come in a variety of designs and shapes. They have the ability to give your home a very elegant touch.