what am I missing, cannot find entry mats for our new vinyl flooring

7 years ago

We are just installing Coretec flooring, and I do not know what to do about mats/rugs. I'm not so worried about the area rug in the living room as I can find a suitable rug pad, but I don't know what to do about our front/back door mats. I have been using the Waterhog rugs from LL Bean and I LOVE them. We live in the PNW so lots of wet shoes. The rugs never look dirty, I hose them off a few times a year and I've never had a single drop of water underneath them.

What do I use? I'm bummed at the idea of using rugs at the doors that require a lot of maintenance. But I also don't want to ruin or discolor the new floor. I've even considered just ignoring the advice and telling myself I'll never have bare flooring by the doors anyways so discoloration won't bother me, but I'm sure it will if it happens.

Is there anything similar to the waterhog mats that are ok for vinyl flooring? I guess I need to give up my beloved mats

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

7 years ago

@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) - The problem is the backing of the mats. There are HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of mats on the market that have backings that are rubberized in some way. The rubber (aka. "plasticizers") are the problem, not the mat itself.

Vinyl is a petroleum chemical. The finish applied to the top of the vinyl (polyurethane or urethane) is also a chemical that is reactive (even in its solid state). These two chemicals (PVC and poly/urethane) can AND WILL react with rubber or rubberized products.

The chemical reaction turns the surface of the floor ORANGE. As in "nicotine stain" orange. It is a permanent stain. There is nothing to be done because it is a chemical stain not a surface stain.

For that reason the mats used with vinyl, cork, hardwood, softwood, linoleum and some types of concrete finishes HAVE TO BE safe for use with the floor's finish.

This is where so many people get into trouble. They find it frustrating to go shopping for area rugs (or water control mats) because of this SERIOUS limitation. The only thing I can say to them is to go to a "mid-range" store to find your area rugs. There will be a tag on the rug that will clearly state "Safe for Hardwood Floors" (ie. Ikea sells some yet Target and Walmart do NOT).

Now imagine 99% of every area rug that you like is NOT allowed on the floor you have purchased....sigh. It is very frustrating to say the least.

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Comments (12)

SJ McCarthy
7 years ago
I suggest you purchase a sheet of underpad and then cut it to size. Put it under the door mats and be done with it.

So long as there is a degree of separation between the rubber mat and the floor (like an underpad) you can have whatever you like.
elleewa
Original Author
7 years ago
ah that makes sense. Maybe I can find something thin. Our lifestyle is just wet. We do a lot of work that is mucky and I hate to be hung up on a door mat.
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RugKnots | Area Rugs
7 years ago
I've worked with Certified Carpet who specializes in creating customized floor mats for entryways. They're the kind you see at commercial entryways and retail location entries that see a LOT of foot traffic. They can customize them to look great in your entryway. You can ask them how well they work with your type of flooring. You can check them out at http://certifiedcarpet.com/mats/.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
I don't know why any sort of floor mat would not be applicable......there is nothing on the COREtec website that specifies any concerns other than recommending a floor mat be used in high traffic areas as it is dirt and grit that will impair the finish, not so much moisture.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Well, I've lived with a lot of vinyl floors in my lifetime and have used all sorts of floor mats on them including those with a rubberized or plastic backing. I have never experienced any staining like you described. YMMV
elleewa
Original Author
7 years ago
SJ MCcarthy - It IS frustrating. I have not put any rugs down yet as we have just finished. Our flooring is a warmer tone but I don't want a huge orange stain. As much as I researched, I somehow missed this major issue with rug backings.

gardengal48 - This is my frustration. I don't know why these limitations are not plain as day on the Coretec website. I only discovered this issue reading here, but I've yet to find much as far as what to use other than a different pad. That defeats the purpose of water hogging mats which we kind of need here. I love our climate (also in the PNW) but I'm not sure I would so much if I was nagging to have shoes removed outside, or cleaning a rug daily checking for water. I've left these rugs in place without moving for weeks at a time and the floor underneath is perfect. We do a lot of mucky work outside and the last thing I want to do is obsess about a rug. Our old floor was some sort of laminated hardwood look and I've had the rugs for years on them. I guess laminate is different.

Rugknots oriental rugs - thanks, I will check out that link. I know water hogging mats are not pretty, but they save my sanity and I'm not one to use beautiful area rugs in my foyer because I dislike being a nag and trying to keep something clean that is never going to be LOL. We have a lot of kids coming in and out and a dog.
Danielle P
3 years ago
I have new LVP flooring and have the same issue! Coretec website states to use mats without rubber or vinyl backing, which is basically every indoor mat. Have you found any great options?
Jen K (7b, 8a)
3 years ago
@Danielle P I found this article RugPadUSA - RUG PADS FOR VINYL AND VINYL PLANK FLOORS Very informative and echos @SJ McCarthy comments.
K French
3 years ago
https://www.amazon.com/RUGPADUSA-Vinyl-Non-Slip-Luxury-Flooring/dp/B09XXX1VY9/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3UAJV8JEOU9KJ&keywords=vinyl%2Block%2Brug%2Bpad%2Busa&qid=1663861719&s=home-garden&sprefix=vinyl%2Block%2Cgarden%2C88&sr=1-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&th=1

I just found this for my vinyl flooring!
K French
3 years ago
and old fashioned Capel braided rugs are fine as well!
Sam D
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
This thread is from 7 years ago and I am curious if any pioneers here decided to use waterhog mats on their coretec/shaw LVP despite the warnings. If so, would you be so kind as to share the results of your bravery with the rest of us waterhog fans? Thanks!