Little Known Mat Fact

Less Expensive & Less Awesome

Awesome & Expensive

Today's installment focuses on a fact not known to many people outside of the industry of matting. Specifically, why there is such a price variance among open hole drainage/anti-fatigue mats for wet areas.

We sell both of the mats pictured above because we want to serve all budgets and needs for our customers.  To look at them, there isn't a gigantic visible difference between them. To touch them and stand on them is not super different either.

So what makes the difference between a value priced kitchen mat and a more expensive version?

For one thing the more pricey mat includes an ingredient called Nitrile rubber. This additive drives the price up but makes it stronger, longer lasting and, most importantly, grease proof.  In other words, the mat will repel fats and oils that come in contact with it. 

Another factor is the higher content of all natural rubber. Less expensive mats will often have a low amount of actual rubber and utilize clay fillers to build out the bulk of the mat. For light-duty settings and situations this might be just fine for a customer application. The downside, however, is that over time and under heavy use, these clay mix mats will break down and disintegrate.

So consider the facts when deciding price versus quality...my mother always used to say, "You get what you pay for," and she was right. Of course she was...