Overview
Short answer: In winter, put a long, absorbent entrance mat inside every door that guests use, add a second mat where the lobby or dining room starts, and plan a regular swap so a wet mat never stays down. Restaurants, hotels and gyms need it most because people walk in from the street all day, often in wet shoes.
New York and Connecticut winters mean salt on the sidewalks, slush at the curb and wet coats in every doorway. A business that welcomes hundreds of people a day carries all of that straight onto its floors.
Why these three businesses
Restaurants. Guests arrive in waves. A wet floor near the host stand is easy to miss, and servers walk through with trays and hot plates.
Hotels. Lobbies are large and the floor is often marble, tile or polished stone. Those surfaces get slick fast when wet, and guests arrive with luggage.
Gyms and fitness studios. People arrive in sneakers, change shoes and move to the locker room, so water follows them from the front door to the changing area.
Each one needs a slightly different mat setup.
Reach out now and one of our representatives will get back to you shortly.Request a Quote
A setup that works for each
Restaurants
- A mat at the front door that is long enough for several steps.
- A second mat at the host stand, since people stop there.
- A mat at the kitchen entry and behind the bar, because floors get wet from spills and cleaning. These are often anti-slip or anti-fatigue mats.
Hotels
- A walk-off mat at each street entrance, and another where the entrance meets the lobby floor.
- Mats by the elevators and near the front desk, where guests stand and wait.
- A look at the colors and the edges: the mat should match the lobby, and the edges should not lift under luggage wheels.
Gyms
- A scraper and absorbent combination at the front door.
- Mats at the entrance to the locker room and the wet areas.
- Spare mats ready for storm days, when the floor gets wet quickly.
What to look for in a winter mat
- Absorbs water. The face should hold moisture instead of letting it spread.
- Traps grit and salt. Salt can dull stone and wood floors if it stays on them.
- Lies flat. A mat that curls or slides becomes a trip hazard.
- Easy to swap. Heavy traffic fills a mat quickly, so replacing it needs to be simple.
For more on picking a mat for your door, read our guide to choosing the right floor mats for your business entrance.
For a quicker response, don’t hesitate to give us a call today or Send us a message.Request a Quote
Why many businesses rent instead of buying
Washing and drying large mats takes space, water and time. A rental program handles pickup, cleaning and replacement on a schedule, so a clean mat is always at the door. It also helps if you only need extra mats in the winter months. Our mat rental service covers NYC and Connecticut, including Manhattan and the other boroughs.
Connect with us today and let’s discuss how we can help.Request a Quote
Keep floors safe
OSHA’s rule on walking and working surfaces asks employers to keep floors clean and, as far as feasible, dry. Mats do much of that work, but staff should still check the entrance during storms and put out wet floor signs when needed.
Frequently asked questions
How many mats does a restaurant need in winter? At least one at the front door and one at the host stand, plus mats in wet work areas. The length of the entrance mat matters more than the number.
Are rental mats good for hotels? Yes. Weekly service and replacement help keep a lobby looking clean without storing or washing large mats on site.
When should I switch to winter mats? Before the first snow or salt appears. In the Northeast, that is often in November.
Get a winter mat plan
If you want help choosing and scheduling mats for your location, contact us and we will help you plan.
Click here to get in touch with our team for further assistance.Request a Quote
