FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Mats and Floor Protection.
What is a chair mat?
A chair mat is a flat, protective mat placed on the floor under a rolling castor chair to prevent damage and make movement easier.
Why do I need a chair mat?
Hometex Solutions chair mats are a cost-effective way to protect your expensive floor coverings from loss of appearance, wear and damage.
A Hometex Solutions chair mat will help to extend the life of your floors by spreading out the pressure from your chair castors.
Using a chair mat gives a better rolling surface for your office chair, this may help to reduce fatigue, leg and back strain.
How do I choose a chair mat?
First determine the maximum area that you need your chair to move (we recommend using a measuring tape) and then pick the size best suited to cover these dimensions.
If you need a mat to go on a carpeted floor you will need to determine how thick your carpet is including any underlay / padding. This information is needed in order that you can select a mat that will perform best on your floor covering. You can find a How to Measure Your Carpet Using a Paper Clip tutorial video on our social media.
The underside of our mats is either cleated with pointed grippers for use on carpet or smooth for use on hard floors.
What is the difference between PVC and Polycarbonate chair mats?
Polycarbonate chair mats are rigid, resilient mats, virtually unbreakable and suitable for use with underfloor heating systems. Polycarbonate mats will offer exceptional clarity and will not curl, crack, dimple, smell or discolour in normal use.
Chair mats manufactured from PVC (Polyvinylchloride) are softer and more pliable than Polycarbonate (PC) mats. PVC chair mats are an affordable, long-lasting option to protect your floors. PVC mats have a slightly cloudy appearance and are not suitable for use with underfloor heating.
What material should I choose?
Both PVC and polycarbonate chair mats are suitable for hard floors, but the best choice depends on your level of use and flooring type.
For low usage or thinner carpet tiles, a PVC chair mat is a practical and cost-effective option.
For heavier use or deeper pile carpets, a polycarbonate chair mat offers greater strength, durability, and long-term performance.
However, do not use a PVC chair mat on varnished or lacquered flooring.
How do I unroll a chair mat?
Remove your mat from its outer packaging and and allow it to warm thoroughly at room temperature, or warmer, before unrolling.
Ensure the textured surface of the chair mat is facing upwards. (grippers or the shiny surface should face down, depending on whether you have a carpet chair mat or a hard floor chair mat).
Place flat weighted items such as books on to the corners of the mat and in the center.
You mat will gradually regain and retain its flat state. This could take up to 72 hours, depending on the environmental conditions.
Once thoroughly warmed through, unroll the mat onto a totally flat and even floor. We recommend using two people to do this.
Which way up does my chair mat go?
For hard floor chair mats, ensure the smoothest side is face down on the floor. The upper side is lightly textured.
For carpet floor chair mats, the grippers must face the carpet, and the smoother side faces up.
How long does a chair mat take to unroll?
Unpack your mat and leave for a minimum of 72 hours at room temperature.
Depending on environmental temperature, it may take 72 hours for the mat to regain its natural flat format.
The warmer the environment the quicker the mat will revert to its flat format and be ready for use.
Can I cut my chair mat to size?
We would not recommend cutting your Hometex Solutions mat. Our mats are precision cut to size using specialist
equipment. Cutting may damage your mat and could impair performance (as it may cause it to crack).
Modifying a Hometex Solution product in any way will also invalidate the guarantee.
Cutting your mat is undertaken entirely at your own risk.
Hometex Solutions does not accept any responsibility for any damage or injury caused while cutting its mats.
Can I place furniture on the chair mat?
We would not recommend placing furniture on the chair mat as this can cause pressure points as the weight can’t be evenly distributed which can result in cracks and void warranty.
How do I clean my chair mat?
To clean your chair mat, simply wipe with a damp cloth using mild detergent. Rinse away any excess detergent after cleaning and ensure the mat is totally dry, top and bottom, before use.
Where should I place my door mat?
For outside: we recommend using durable, weather-resistant materials like rubber, aluminium or heavy-duty fibres.
For inside: we recommend choosing a fibered mat to trap moisture and fine dust.
Best practice is to place one outside for heavy duty scrubbing and one inside for moisture absorption - this can trap up to 95% of dirt and debris from your shoes.
What are the best materials for door mats?
Rubber: Best for outdoor, non-slip, and heavy-duty, water-resistant use.
Fibred: Good for indoors; absorbent and often machine washable.
Aluminium: Ideal for high-traffic entrances; extremely durable and built to handle heavy use. Paired with insert strips for enhanced scraping and moisture control.
What size should I buy?
A mat should ideally cover the entire width of the doorway to effectively catch debris from anyone entering.
How do I clean a door mat?
To clean a rubber door mat, simply hose down with water.
For our aluminium and fibred entrance mats, shake, brush or vacuum before wiping down with a damp cloth.
Extra Door Mat Tips
For extra safety, we recommend always choosing a mat with anti-slip backing to prevent accidents as well as regularly cleaning your mat to help extend its life and ensures it continues to trap dirt effectively.
What is an anti-fatigue or standing comfort mat?
Standing for long periods of time, especially when working can be detrimental to a person's health, issues such as poor circulation, stiffness, and general muscle fatigue are often common side effects.
A standing comfort mat is designed to help minimise these effects by easing the strain placed on muscles and joints, helping to reduce everyday aches and discomfort.
Prolonged fatigue can also impact focus, potentially increasing the risk of mistakes or home & workplace incidents.
Anti-fatigue mats have been tested to assess their impact on overall fatigue levels, with results showing they can significantly lower fatigue and reduce energy exertion.
This highlights their effectiveness and makes them a practical addition to any home or workspace where standing for extended periods is required.
How does a standing comfort mat work?
The soft cushioned mat structure relieves pressure and improves comfort during long periods of standing, providing superior support in your kitchen, laundry room or office.
Can a standing comfort mat improve posture?
Yes, a standing comfort mat can help improve posture when standing for long periods, primarily by reducing the physical discomfort that leads to slouching, leaning, or shifting weight.
Can I use an anti-fatigue mat with a sit-stand desk?
Absolutely, standing comfort mats are highly recommended for both home and office use to enhance comfort.
Can I wear shoes on a standing comfort mat?
Yes, you can wear shoes on a standing comfort mat, but not high heels as they can puncture the mat.
How do I clean a standing comfort mat?
To clean a standing comfort mat, simply wipe with a damp cloth using mild detergent. Wipe away any excess detergent after cleaning and ensure the mat is totally dry, top and bottom, before use.
Do I need a special mat for wet areas?
If the environment is wet or oily, we recommend using a mat with drainage holes and anti-slip properties such as our All-Weather Black Outdoor Entrance Mat.
What is a Universal Floor Protector?
A Universal Floor Protector is a tough and durable clear PVC protective mat for highly effective protection of flooring around the home of office. Perfect for multiple applications to protect carpets or hard floors from high use damage, general wear, scuffs, dirt and spills.
What does a Universal Floor Protector do?
Universal Floor Protectors are designed to shield your flooring from damage caused by multiple applications such as furniture wear, pet food bowls spills, falling mess from arts and craft activities, food falling from children in highchairs and other daily wear. It can also be used as an entry level chair mat on hard floors to prevent damage from chair casters.
How long does a Universal Floor Protector take to unroll?
Unpack your mat and leave for a minimum of 72 hours at room temperature.
Depending on environmental temperature, it may take 72 hours for the mat to regain its natural flat format.
The warmer the environment the quicker the mat will revert to its flat format and be ready for use.
How do I clean a Universal Floor Protector?
To clean your Universal Floor Protector mat, simply wipe with a damp cloth using mild detergent. Wipe away any excess detergent after cleaning and ensure the mat is totally dry, top and bottom, before use.
Can I place furniture on the Universal Floor Protector?
Yes, you can place furniture on the Universal Floor Protector, but excess weight may cause damage the mat over time.
Can floor protectors be used on all floor types?
Universal Floor Protectors are compatible with all floor types, apart from varnished or lacquered hard wood flooring.
Can I use a floor protector on carpet?
Yes, they can be used to protect any floor.
Are Universal Floor Protectors suitable with underfloor heating?
No, PVC is not compatible with underfloor heating.