Coir mats are made of a naturally occurring material called coconut coir, which is a tough and durable fiber obtained from coconut husks. The usual turnaround times to produce Coir Mats range from 8 to 12 months, depending upon how the fibers are processed and dried.
Coir is a natural fiber derived from the fibrous husk surrounding the hard, outer shell of the coconut. The strongest coir fibers are from the brown fibers of mature coconut husks. Coir fibers have been naturally selected to withstand long journeys through salt water, provide cushioning on impacts, and provide waterproof protection for the coconut seed.
Coir is created by weaving or bonding coir fibers together to create a rigid and dense mat-like structure. Coir is sustainable, biodegradable, renewable, and an upcycled agricultural byproduct, while synthetic mats are made from petroleum. By using coir, you are supporting a circular economy from the base of the coconut palm.
Mudroom MVP: Successful Functionality
The unique physical property of coir fibers provides excellent results when it comes to the messy, wet tasks involved in preparing for the various seasons of life. The high degree of functionality of coir results from the characteristics that are inherent in the structure of coir fibers.
Great Scraping Action: Coir fibers can be quite rigid and stiff. This is why they work well to remove mud, clumps of soil, gravel, wet leaves, and packed snow from the deepest grooves of your shoes, boots, or animal paws; the coir fibers create thousands of tiny, natural scrapers.
Because of their inherent properties, Coir Door Mats are highly absorbent and therefore provide excellent moisture management. The ability of coir to retain moisture from damp shoes, while simultaneously allowing moisture vapors from these shoes to escape into the atmosphere, greatly enhances the drying process of footwear. Because coir fiber has a very open capillary structure, coir mats dry out much quicker than those made of solid rubber or vinyl. Solid rubber/vinyl mats trap stagnant moisture under the mat, leading to the growth of mildew, foul odors, and bad bacteria. Coir is therefore much more breathable and thus continues to remain fresh between normal “shakes.”
Flexibility and Lifelong Durability: Coir mats are made from coir and as such have a natural strength and toughness. The tensile strength of coir is about four times stronger than cotton. This means that coir mats can provide around five times the life span of typical rubber mats when used in areas where foot traffic is heavy and where abrasive grit can cause wear on the mats. Additionally, high-quality coir mats, when properly cared for, will not flatten, separate, or lose their ability to preserve clean shoe soles. Coir mats are naturally resistant to UV degradation when exposed to sunlight and are naturally resistant to rot when exposed to moisture. In fact, coir mats become a long-term investment that not only withstands the rigors of outdoor use but also develops a fine silvery-grey patina after prolonged outdoor use.
Coir flooring mats naturally have a heavy weight, along with being extremely rough and coarse, which provides an exceptional amount of grip and stability.
Coir mats typically have a textured backing, which enhances their grip capability and stability, thus providing a much safer surface to wipe your feet than lightweight mats, which are easily moved or bent on the edges, creating an unsafe tripping hazard.
How to Find a Champion: A Guide to Selecting the Most Durable Coir Mats
To find the right coir mat that is built to last for years to come, you need to carefully investigate before making your selection:
Weight and Density Are Critical: When you pick up the coir mat, it should feel heavy and sturdy in your hands and have a very tight, dense weave. The fabric of a coir mat with a higher number of fibers per square inch will have more longevity, greater absorbency, and more ability to scrape dirt off footwear. Read This
Never Negotiate the Backing: If you plan to place your mat outside or in an entryway (as an entryway mat), you will need a backing made from 100% natural rubber or latex. The backing has three key functions, including preventing mats from sliding on smooth floors, providing an additional moisture barrier on your floor, and locking coir fibers in place so that the life of your mat is extended significantly. It would be wise to avoid using a mat.
