Elevator Flooring
A Comparison of Elevator Matting Rolls and Tiles
With floor safety becoming an increasingly important concern, property managers and building engineers are looking for the most effective flooring solutions for their elevator cabs and elevator lobbies. While cleaning shoes and boots are important, creating an environment with increased traction and enhanced slip resistance is critical. Elevator flooring is available in a variety of styles, installation options and materials to meet any need.
Elevator Floor Matting primarily consists of two materials – either a carpeted surface option or a rubber/vinyl material. Carpeted Surface Elevator Matting is available in either a tile or roll format. Either way, these carpeted floor mats help to remove dirt, debris, snow, salts and moisture from shoes and prevent these containments from being tracked farther inside the building. Rubber and vinyl elevator matting is also produced in a few formats – glue-down tiles, peel-and-stick tiles and roll matting – and increases traction, especially when wet or slippery conditions exist, all while being easier to clean and offering overall lower maintenance.
Depending on the type of elevator, type of environment, the permanence of the flooring and the skill level of the installer, different elevator mats may be more or less appropriate. Carpeted surface roll matting can often be manufactured in one piece and thus requires virtually no installation – the mat is simply unrolled and put into service. This also allows for easy removal for cleaning and maintenance. Elevator carpet tiles are also popular, yet these tiles need to be adhered to the floor below and, unless a pressure-sensitive (ie, releasable) adhesive is used, the tiles are designed for permanent use. Rubber and vinyl roll matting is an inexpensive option for covering elevator floors. These rolls are available between 2’ and 6’ wide and virtually any length (with almost all being non-directional). These rolls can be loose-laid but are better off adhered to the floor, especially for locations with rolling objects or items that may be dragged across the floor. Glue-down rubber tiles offer the greatest durability against wear and tear and are especially popular for freight elevators. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are a breeze to install and do not require any extra glue – simply peel off the protective film and adhere to the floor and never have to worry about regluing or replacing.
All of the aforementioned materials can be cut to fit: either during the manufacturing of the elevator mats or onsite, especially the tiles. Furthermore, for some products, a beveled (sloped) safety edge can be added for the thicker matting options to provide a seamless transition on and off the mats while entering and exiting the elevator.
Regardless of the type of elevator matting option chosen, the carpeted and vinyl elevator floor tiles and rolls will provide years of use, increasing traction, enhancing safety and keeping floors cleaner and drier.
