How to Choose the Best Outdoor Mat: 5 Things to Look For
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Time to read 5 min
Every realtor will tell you that first impressions are everything. And it all starts at the front door. You want your home's entrance to be warm and inviting.
So let's talk about that old doormat at your entrance right now… the one that is most definitely sending off the wrong first impression.
If you never really thought about the rug outside your door, that’s okay. We’re here to help. These top 5 tips for finding the perfect front door mat will show you how to create the right first impression.
1. Choose an Outdoor Doormat Material Made to Handle the Weather
There’s no way around it. Your exterior mats are going to be rained on, stomped on, beaten down with sun, and covered with all sorts of dirt, debris, sand and salt. They are treated like, well, a doormat!
Pick the right outdoor material for an entrance mat, and you’ll have the sharpest door on the block - no matter the weather or season.
Here we break down the top welcome mat materials you may be considering:
Entryway mats made from natural fibers like coir, jute, and seagrass: these mats tend to be better for indoor use. Why? Because they’re made from natural materials that tend to break down in humidity. When exposed to rain, snow, sun, and other harsh weather conditions, natural materials often rot and shed. This causes your front door mats to deteriorate rapidly.
Let's talk about rubber, too - a tough and rugged material often used for door mats outside. Rubber mats are durable and waterproof, but when rubber faces freezing temperatures for too long, it starts to develop cracks.
And during scorching summer days, rubber mats are like heat magnets, soaking up all that warmth from the sun.
Rubber doormats are hardworking mats, but they do not add much to your curb appeal. For a warm, cheery welcome, choose something with more interest and texture.
That leads us to Lobster Rope™ Doormats, which are handwoven using marine-grade polysteel rope originally designed to secure lobster traps to buoys in the sea. First introduced by New England Trading Company in 2009, these outdoor mats are incredibly durable and can handle all kinds of tough weather conditions - from salty sea air to sun, rain, and snow.
2. Choose an Outdoor Doormat Heavy Enough to Stay Put
A lightweight doormat may be easy to pick up, but that's not necessarily a benefit when it lives outside. Wind can shift, flip, or send a lightweight mat across the porch, especially at exposed entrances and coastal homes.
Look for an outdoor doormat with enough weight and structure to stay where you put it without constantly needing to be straightened or retrieved after a storm.
The marine-grade rope used in Lobster Rope™ Doormats creates a substantial mat that weighs approximately 7 to 10 pounds, depending on size. That extra weight helps Wicked Good Doormats® stay put at your front door instead of sliding around or blowing in the wind.
Tip: When comparing outdoor mats online, check the product weight. A doormat that looks substantial in a photo may be much lighter than you expect.
Lobster Rope Doormats are no ordinary mats. Made from strong, heavyweight polysteel rope, these outdoor rugs weigh 7 to 10 pounds each, and will stay in place better without getting blown away.
3. Choose a Fast-Drying Outdoor Doormat That Resists Mold and Mildew
An outdoor doormat is going to get wet. The important question is what happens after it does.
A mat that absorbs water or stays damp for too long can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, develop odors, and leave you with a soggy mess at your front door. This is especially important at uncovered entrances and in humid or rainy climates.
Look for an outdoor doormat made from a fast-drying material that resists mold and mildew rather than holding onto moisture.
The marine-grade rope used in Lobster Rope™ Doormats doesn't absorb water like many traditional doormat materials. Water drains through the open weave, the rope dries quickly, and the mat resists mold and mildew even with repeated exposure to wet weather.
Tip: When shopping for an outdoor doormat, don't just look for “weather-resistant.” Check specifically for fast-drying and mold and mildew resistant materials.
4. Choose an Outdoor Doormat That Is Easy to Clean
The whole point of an outdoor doormat is to catch dirt before it gets into your home, so getting that dirt out of the mat should be easy.
Avoid outdoor mats that trap sand, mud, pet hair, and debris deep in the fibers or require special cleaning to look good again. A hardworking front door mat should be something you can clean quickly and get right back to using.
Look for a design that releases dirt easily and can be shaken out, swept, or rinsed clean with a garden hose. The raised, open weave of Lobster Rope™ Doormats allows much of the dirt and sand from shoes to fall through rather than collecting on the surface.
When your mat needs a deeper clean, simply hose it off. The fast-drying marine-grade rope takes care of the rest.
Tip: Before buying an outdoor doormat, ask yourself how you'll clean it after a muddy day. If the answer sounds like work, keep looking.
5. Choose an Outdoor Doormat That Doesn’t Get Bogged Down With Dirt
A doormat can only do its job if it has somewhere for all that dirt to go. Mats with dense surfaces can collect dirt, sand, leaves, and debris until the mat itself becomes part of the mess.
Look for an outdoor doormat designed to release dirt rather than hold onto it. An open or raised weave allows sand and debris to fall through the mat, keeping the walking surface cleaner between cleanings.
Lobster Rope™ Doormats have a raised weave that lets much of the dirt and sand from shoes fall through to the surface below. Simply lift the mat and sweep underneath when needed.
Tip: A good outdoor doormat shouldn't just catch dirt. It should make that dirt easy to get rid of
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget About UV Protection
An outdoor doormat can be perfectly durable and still look worn before its time if it isn't made to handle prolonged sun exposure. UV rays can break down outdoor materials and cause colors to lose their vibrancy, especially at uncovered entrances that receive hours of direct sunlight.
Look for an outdoor doormat with added UV protection, particularly if your front door gets strong sun.
The marine-grade rope used in Lobster Rope™ Doormats is produced to our exacting standards with up to 6x more UV protection than industry standards, helping your mat maintain its beautiful color longer.
Tip: If you're investing in a quality outdoor doormat, make sure it's designed to stand up to the sun as well as the rain.
So, why settle for ordinary when you can welcome your guests in extraordinary substance and style?
These tips on outdoor rugs are all about making that lasting impression, and with Lobster Rope Doormats that are ready for it all, your front door game will be on point.
Karen Marsh
Karen is the owner of New England Trading Company, a coastal gift shop in Maine. Since 2009, she has enjoyed helping customers find the perfect coastal-inspired gifts and decor. Karen loves connecting with others who share her passion for all things nautical.
