Weather changes on a day-to-day basis, and we can never truly predict how it will interact with matting systems, that’s why we need to be prepared. At INTRAsystems we believe this preparation starts with installing the right product at the door to keep the ingress of dirt and moisture to a minimum and increase the longevity of the Entrance Matting and ultimately the building’s interiors.

When it comes to existing matting, the age of the mat, the materials used in its construction and the type of matting can influence the mats ability to resist the forces of nature. A matting system can be affected by precipitation where shifts in precipitation patterns can result in components getting wet and not functioning properly, mats can also be affected by snow, and finally changes in temperatures. The main impact is on the internal flooring of the building, which takes the biggest punch as a result of changing weather conditions.

How does weather affect internal flooring?

Wet weather conditions can cause the biggest impact on internal floor finishes by wear and tear, it also makes the internal flooring slippery, dramatically increasing the risks of slips and trips. Cold weather often results in buildings spreading salt and grit for further precautions, while this is essential salt and grit are particularly aggressive if trafficked into a building. They not only scratch and wear internal flooring but when wet they badly stain floor and greatly increase cleaning costs. These cold periods, like the ones in December 2010, produced extended periods of icy conditions. News and Social media frequently reminded us of the dangers of these hazardous conditions with compilations of pedestrian slips and trips. Hot weather ironically can affect the mats themselves as the change in temperature can cause some materials to expand and lose their structural integrity. Shopping centres, retailers, and commercial offices take these dangers seriously and choose to minimise risks by installing internal and external entrance matting.

How can we prevent the harsh effects of weather on internal flooring?

The foremost concern for buildings involves the health, safety, and wellbeing of the occupants. Most engineers agree that any significant change in weather patterns will almost certainly require the modification in the manner in which we design, construct, manage and maintain buildings. At INTRAsystems we believe in this philosophy and understand that big changes come from something small for example Entrance Matting. Our INTRAform range of products are perfect for changing weather. The INTRAform drainable in particular is made using 100% recycled aluminium, it has open drainable construction making it waterproof. It is suitable for high traffic environment and is temperature resistant from -50°C to +90°C. This creates dimensional stability and maintains its structural integrity. The INTRAform product also comes with a wide variety of polyamide fibre inserts ranging in colours that are known for its superior absorption capabilities retaining up to 5.4L/M² of moisture. Entrance matting such as INTRAbrush comprises of coarse, hard-wearing nylon fibres to remove ice and snow from footwear. The recessed matwell base allows dirt and snow to fall away. This construction ensures that snow is removed and not trodden into the matting, thus preventing the build-up of compacted ice. Furthermore, the matting is effective at temperatures ranging from -25℃ to 40℃, making it a superb and resilient flooring option all year round.

This level of customisation was the collective vision of INTRAsystems to offer products that are durable yet add an aesthetic value to the building and therefore leaving a lasting impression.