From Guest Blogger Christopher Austin: Recycled Doormats–Affordable and Eco-Friendly
The humble doormat is the gateway to your home. It needs to be carefully chosen to reflect the care and dedication you have put into creating your perfect home. It should complement your decor, but, perhaps most importantly; it can prevent the ingress of damp, dirt and debris into your home. There are great many things which need to be considered when choosing the right door mat for your house:
Opt for durable, long-lasting materials
This has to be the first decision and should be based upon the location of the mat as well as your preference; possible materials are:
- Aluminum – This can be an excellent product for outside use and it is possible to purchase them with wide patterns to allow plenty of drainage. They can be chosen in a variety of colors; black, silver, pewter or even bronze and can give a rustic look to any property.
- Wood – Cedar or Mahogany are favorites for outside, they are durable, environmentally friendly and can be created in a variety of shapes to ensure a stylish look. They are also very easy to keep clean.
- Coco Brush – The brush effect mat is exceptionally good at cleaning dirt of the bottom of any ones shoes. It is a natural product, again making it environmentally friendly and can be made in a variety of styles and colors. It also dries quickly and is easy to clean.
- Grass – The usual choice is either dragon grass or golden grass. Both are easy to clean; effective and use natural resources, which are replenished. Golden grass tends to have a tighter weave which is more effective at removing dirt.
- Rubber – This is a natural product and can even be made from recycled materials to ensure you are considering the environment when choosing it. It is exceptionally easy to clean and very durable.
Weather-proof doormats
It is essential to consider the predominant weather in your area and the terrain that will be crossed by the people arriving at your home. Rubber is one of the best materials for all types of terrain and, providing it is made from recycled materials, is environmentally friendly. If the approach to your home is particularly muddy or rough then there will be a greater need for a secondary mat to be located inside your door.
Size & Style
An interior mat should fill three quarters of your hallway, the bigger the hall the bigger the mat will need to be. Obviously the bigger the mat the more dirt it will catch as people will be forced to walk on it several times. The style of the mat should reflect your personality and the decor of the room, even the house, in general. It is possible to locate many excellent door mats through the online auction houses or even the local advertisements. A well looked after second hand mat will be cheaper and still perform the job properly, whilst helping to do your bit for the environment!
Surface
The best outside doormats will have an abrasive surface to allow the maximum removal of dirt and debris. Even inside doormats can be made this way although they tend to be less inviting and unlikely to fit with the style of your home.
Ultimate protection
To really stop people from bringing debris and muck into your home it is perfectly acceptable to have a shoe basket by the door and, if necessary, a chair to assist people in removing their shoes. You can even choose to offer them slippers to avoid cold feet if your floors are not carpeted.
Whichever commercial rubber flooring mat or combination of mats you choose it is possible to purchase one, new or second hand, which is environmentally friendly, long lasting and stylish. You have taken the time to decorate your house to a high standard; don’t rush the purchase of your mats!
The best doormats are made of recycled materials, and it’s not because they’re more affordable. They’re extremely durable too. Why invest in a mat that only looks good when you can buy one that’s both functional and stylish? Opt for a design that resonates to you, or better yet, consider a DIY project and make yourself a unique doormat.
