Industrial Rubber Matting Rolls and Flooring

Rubber matting provides a practical surface covering for suitable floors, workbenches, shelves, storage areas and vehicle interiors. Depending on the individual product, it may be supplied as a complete roll, a cut length or an individual rubber floor tile.

This department includes penny dot, ribbed, plate-finish and chequer-pattern rubber matting, together with specialist electrical insulating matting and selected rubber floor tiles. These products have different constructions and documented properties, so they should not be treated as interchangeable simply because they are made from rubber or share a similar surface pattern.

Types of Rubber Matting

Penny Dot Rubber Matting

Penny dot matting has a surface formed from regularly spaced raised circular studs. It may be used as a protective floor or work-surface covering where the dimensions, material and documented performance suit the intended application.

Compare the matting thickness, roll width, supplied length and surface specification. Do not assume that every studded rubber product has the same slip resistance, wear rating or suitability for wet areas.

Ribbed Rubber Matting

Ribbed matting has parallel channels or ridges across its surface. The direction and depth of the ribs can affect how the surface feels underfoot and how dirt or liquid moves across it.

Check whether the matting is ordinary general-purpose rubber flooring or specialist electrical insulating matting. Similar-looking ribbed products can have completely different technical specifications.

Plate-Finish and Chequer-Pattern Matting

Plate-finish and chequer-pattern products provide a more heavily profiled appearance for suitable workshop, garage, storage and vehicle-flooring applications. Confirm the exact surface design because plate finish, single-bar chequer plate and other raised patterns are separate constructions.

A raised pattern alone does not guarantee a particular slip rating. Performance can change when the surface is wet, oily, dusty, worn or incorrectly installed.

Rubber Floor Tiles

Rubber floor tiles cover an area using individual sections rather than a continuous roll. Some designs connect or interlock, while others require a different installation method.

Check the tile dimensions, thickness, edge construction, connection method and quantity required. Confirm whether borders, corners, ramps or adhesives are needed before calculating the complete installation.

Electrical Insulating Rubber Matting

Electrical insulating matting is a specialist safety product and must be selected using its documented electrical classification, working voltage, test voltage, standard, thickness and intended environment.

Test voltage and recommended working voltage are not the same measurement. Ordinary rubber flooring must never be assumed to provide electrical protection merely because rubber is present in its construction.

Before purchase or installation, verify the exact product certificate, applicable standard, condition of use and inspection requirements. Electrical safety matting should be installed and used only as part of an appropriate workplace electrical-safety system.

Full Rolls, Cut Lengths and Tiles

• Full rolls: supplied in a stated fixed width and total roll length, making them suitable for covering larger continuous areas.
• Cut lengths: supplied in a fixed roll width and the ordered linear length. The quantity may represent metres rather than separate mats.
• Floor tiles: supplied as individual sections or packs that cover a stated area when correctly installed.

Every cut-length product should clearly state its fixed width, thickness, unit of sale and minimum order. Customers should not have to guess whether a quantity of three means three metres, three pieces or three complete rolls.

How to Choose Rubber Matting

• Application: establish whether the matting will cover a floor, workbench, shelf, van interior or another suitable surface.
• Purchase format: choose between a full roll, cut length or floor tile.
• Surface pattern: compare penny dot, ribbed, plate-finish, chequer and other documented patterns.
• Width: measure the available area and check the matting’s actual fixed roll width.
• Length: include the complete route, joins, cutting allowance and any pattern alignment.
• Thickness: check clearance around doors, equipment, ramps and adjoining floor surfaces.
• Material: confirm the exact rubber composition instead of assuming that every rubber mat has the same properties.
• Environment: verify whether the product is documented for indoor, outdoor, dry, wet, oily or chemically exposed areas.
• Slip performance: look for a documented test method and result for the expected conditions.
• Electrical performance: use only purpose-designed insulating matting with the required documentation and working-voltage specification.
• Cleaning: check which cleaning products and methods are permitted for the selected surface.

Measuring the Required Area

1. Measure the maximum length and width of the area to be covered.
2. Check whether the selected product is sold as a full roll, linear cut length or individual tile.
3. Plan the direction of any ribs, studs or chequer pattern.
4. Allow for columns, machinery, doors, ramps and other obstructions.
5. Include a reasonable cutting and alignment allowance.
6. Check whether several widths or sections will require joins.
7. Calculate tile quantities using the documented tile dimensions rather than relying on nominal measurements.

For cut-length matting, the roll width normally remains fixed while the ordered quantity determines the length. This must be confirmed on the individual product page before ordering.

Installation and Surface Preparation

The base surface should be stable, clean and suitable for the chosen installation method. Remove loose dirt, grease and debris before positioning the matting, and allow any prepared surface to dry properly.

Plan cuts and joins before permanently fixing the material. Use tools appropriate for the documented matting construction and avoid leaving raised edges, curled corners or uneven joins that could create a trip hazard.

Some products may be laid loose, while others require joining tape, edging, adhesive or mechanical retention. Follow the instructions for the individual matting and any fixing system being used.

Cleaning and Inspection

Clean rubber matting using methods compatible with its documented material and surface. Dirt, grease, liquid and cleaning residue can affect the condition and slip performance of the installed floor.

Inspect the matting periodically for movement, curled edges, cuts, cracking, hardening, worn patterns and damaged joins. Specialist electrical matting also requires the inspection and replacement procedures specified by its manufacturer or applicable safety documentation.

Typical Applications

Depending on the exact product specification, rubber matting may be considered for:

• Garage and workshop floors
• Suitable commercial and industrial floor areas
• Workbench and shelf coverings
• Storage and utility rooms
• Compatible vehicle and van interiors
• Equipment areas and access routes
• Specialist electrical work areas using certified insulating matting

These are general application examples. Suitability depends on the selected product, installation method, operating environment and any required safety rating.

Related Mats and Flooring

• Browse industrial mats for specialist workplace, ESD, hazard and workstation matting.
• Choose anti-fatigue mats for products specifically designed for standing work areas.
• Explore PVC flooring rolls for alternative resilient floor-covering options.
• Shop entrance mats for dirt and moisture control at suitable doorways.
• Use rubber cable protectors for compatible temporary floor-level cable routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a rubber matting roll and a cut length?

A full roll has a fixed width and total length. A cut-length product has a fixed width but is supplied in the ordered linear length, subject to any stated minimum quantity.

Which rubber matting pattern should I choose?

Choose according to the required dimensions, appearance, environment and documented performance. Penny dot, ribbed and chequer patterns do not share one universal slip or wear rating.

Is all textured rubber matting non-slip?

No surface is slip-proof in every condition. Check for documented slip-resistance testing and consider expected contamination, footwear, cleaning and installation.

Can rubber matting be used outdoors?

Only where the exact product is documented for the expected ultraviolet exposure, temperature, moisture and duration of use.

Is rubber matting oil resistant?

Not automatically. Resistance depends on the rubber compound and the type, concentration, temperature and duration of chemical exposure.

Can ordinary rubber flooring be used for electrical protection?

No. Electrical protection requires purpose-designed insulating matting with suitable certification, working-voltage information and inspection requirements.

Does thicker rubber matting provide better electrical protection?

Thickness alone does not establish electrical performance. Use the documented electrical class, working voltage, test standard and certificate for the exact product.

Can rubber floor tiles be used as anti-fatigue matting?

Only where that performance is documented for the exact tile. A cellular structure or rubber construction does not by itself prove an anti-fatigue rating.