The many commercial uses of floor matting in the food and drink industry
When you own a business, you have to be thorough in the planning and interior design of your premises, whether it be a cafe, restaurant, bar, or fast-food chain. This includes all of the finer details, right down to which type of floor matting you decide to use.
If you don't know much about floor matting, it's easy to assume that it's a one-type-fits-all scenario. However, this couldn't be further away from the truth! The reality is that there are a plethora of choices to make when it comes to deciding on the material of your floor matting. Luckily for business owners out there, we here at Cooksmill have created a comprehensive blog post detailing the pros and cons of each floor mat material, so you can decide what's best for your company. Read on to find out more.
Why are floor mats essential for food premises?
If you work with food and/or drink, then you know the chances of spillage and slips increase ten-fold. This makes it imperative that you have sufficient levels of slip-protection down. Floor mats - especially rubber mats, as explored later - greatly help to reduce the risk of accidents, protecting yourself and your employees.
Not only this, but your food and drink premises is also an area where hygiene of the top level should be a priority. Floor mats placed at the entrance and back doors to your property ensure that employees and guests can wipe their shoes upon entering, thus ensuring a minimum amount of spreading dirt and outside germs.
This is without mentioning that the right floor mat can also create a glowing impression of luxury and attention to the intimate details, showing customers that you really care for your business and their well-being!
The different materials of entrance and floor mats
Depending on the overall vibe and aesthetic of your premises, there is a great choice of material for your floor mats. Here are some of the most common ones, and where and when they're ideal.
Rubber mats
Rubber mats make a great choice for floor and entrance mat. They are the main choice of floor mat for many businesses as they have many benefits, including the following:
- Drainage holes
Many rubber mats offered on our website have drainage holes in them. This is so any spilt liquid can quickly and effectively disperse through the mat, leaving the surface dry and safe for staff to walk on. For this reason, rubber mats can be placed strategically around your kitchen and bar, targeting areas where spillage is likely (such as beneath beer taps, and in front of sinks).
- Grease resistant
As well as having drainage holes to let water and other liquids out, rubber mats are often also grease resistant. This means that they retain the firmness of their surface despite spillage of oil, fat, and other greasy substances. If you work with griddle pans, fryers, and any other cooking equipment, be sure to place rubber mats directly around them to minimise the risk of your employees slipping. It's also recommended you place rubber mats around the pass, as there is high traffic of waiters and food at any time.
- Easy on feet
Ideally, you should be making a conscientious effort to prioritise the wellbeing and happiness of your employees. Food and drink establishments can often be busy and very stressful, so you need to make the environment for your workers as harmonious and risk-free as possible. Luckily, rubber mats are easy on your feet, meaning your employees will be comfortable and more motivated to work. And happy employees mean happy customers! So rubber mats are well worth the investment as the investment translates into profit.
The only downside to rubber mats is that they are not easily disposable, due to their sturdiness and material. However, if you do need to get rid of your rubber mats at any point, simply take them to a recycling centre where they can be melted and used for something else.
PVC mats
PVC mats are another popular choice for floor mats, albeit more front of house than in the kitchen. Here are some of the pros and cons:
- Easy to clean.
PVC mats are one of the easiest materials to clean, as they're wipeable and can be cleaned with as little as a dry cloth. This makes them ideal for placing at the entrance to your establishment for guests to wipe their feet on as they come in. This means there's little risk of dirt and other outside germs being trampled through your beloved business!
- Durability.
PVC is manufactured with durability at an affordable price in mind. This makes it great for smaller businesses that want to invest in safe floor spaces without a hefty price tag. The long durability of PVC mats means that it's a purchase that will reap long-term benefits too.
- Less comfortable.
One downside to PVC mats is that they are less comfortable than other types, such as rubber mats. This makes them less useful for places where there are people standing around for long periods of time, such as queuing areas at the bar. However, for zones where footfall is fleeting, such as your entrance, this won't be a problem.
These are just the two most popular types of floor mat to deck out your food and drink business with. You can explore rubber and PVC mats on our website, as well as the full range of other materials available.
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