We have different tastes and preferences when it comes to car floor mats, even though the ultimate goal is to keep the vehicle’s interior clean and new. This may explain why manufacturers produce different units, all with something unique to offer.
In this piece, we shall tell you all about the different materials used in making car floor mats. Bringing out the materials’ key features will make it easier to see what they have to offer and which one satisfies your preferences in a floor mat.
Here are the different floor mat materials.
Table of Contents
Types of Car Floor Mats Materials and Their Properties:
Let’s now get into the business of the day and check out the different car floor mat materials and their properties. They are as follows:
1. Carpet
Carpet is the ideal choice if you have an eye for fashion and are customizable to suit your style. This material is highly absorbent and would be suitable if you reside in wet and muddy conditions.
Further, the carpet does an excellent job of trapping debris, and this is attributable to its synthetic fibers.
Carpet mats usually come with a fabric with sturdy fibers on the surface and are available in different colors and attractive patterns.
2. Rubber
Next up is a thick and waterproof compound that makes the most durable mats on the market. So, rubber mats are ideal for all weather conditions as they can repel most elements thrown at them.
Then, since rubber traps liquids and other debris on the surface, they are relatively easy to clean.
However, rubber mats tend to be quite pricey and not that attractive.
3. Vinyl
Vinyl is a thick plastic polymer, making such carpets more durable than carpet and rubber mats. Since vinyl mats don’t wear out fast, they help keep your vehicle’s floor clean and dry for longer.
Another thing about vinyl mats is that they feature upturned edges to ensure water, grime, and dust do not slide off.
4. Plastic
The main aspect that makes mats made out of plastic to be in high demand is their resistance to heat and water, which is vital for your feet’ comfort.
Then, since plastic retains mud and water, the carpets are ideal for rainy or snowy conditions.
However, plastic mats aren’t the prettiest units around.
5. PVC Coil
What about PVC coil? This material is known for its durability and sturdiness, and we attribute this to its excellent tensile strength. Unlike other plastics, PVC is very dense, and it will be a while before it gets worn out.
Another outstanding factor about this material is its easy availability and affordability, making the mats an excellent budget-friendly option.
6. Nylon
Nylon, on its part, has outstanding sturdiness and elasticity. On top of that, the material has excellent abrasion resistance, and this makes the fibers reasonably durable.
Then, since nylon is wrinkle-resistant, you can expect the mats made of the material to maintain a new look for longer.
Another notable property is the little water absorption. So, you will find nylon mats to be very easy to wash and dry.
However, the material has poor resistance to sunlight. So, ensure you do not leave the car floor mats in the sun for too long as they could fade quickly.
7. EVA Foam
EVA is often used to substitute rubber, PVC, and vinyl materials, and it is easy to see why. First, it has excellent water resistance and will dry fast when you have washed your mats.
In addition to that, EVA foam is resistant to UV radiation, implying that your mats won’t fade that easily when you expose them to the sun for extended periods. Even with this aspect, the material remains in good condition under very low temperatures.
Lastly, this material gives out an eye-catching gloss, making the mats made from it some of the most attractive in the market.
8. Leather
Here, we shall break leather down into two categories, i.e., artificial and genuine leather.
8.1 Artificial Leather
Artificial or faux leather is not made from animal skin. Instead, it is made out of a plastic base and treated with wax or polyurethane to create color and texture.
The material is soft to the touch, which means that mats made from it have a comfortable and luxurious feel.
Another notable property is high water and stain resistance to make the mats easy to clean.
8.2 Genuine Leather
This type of leather is made from animal skin and is a controversial subject for animal rights activists. The material stands out for its durability and comfort, which may explain why genuine leather car floor mats are some of the priciest in the market.
It has a soft feel, and this explains why the mats are so comfortable for your feet. Natural leather is also quite strong, and it will take something special to tear it apart.
However, genuine leather offers little resistance to staining, and this makes them hard to clean. In addition they tend to be on the more expensive side of floor mats.
9. Fabric
Here, we shall look at normal and premium fabric separately:
9.1 Normal Fabric
Normal fabric is soft and often has an attractive look. So, car floor mats made from the material usually appeal to drivers looking to boost their car’s interior look. They are also breathable, and this contributes to their comfort.
However, they are not that strong, and you shouldn’t expect them to serve you for that long.
9.2 Premium Fabric
As you would expect, premium fabric targets the high-end market, and there is a good reason for this. Products made from this material tend to be expensive to produce, use high levels of technology and research, are luxurious, and are available in unique designs.
So, premium fabric floor mats are some of the best to invest in, but you should be prepared to fork out more money to acquire them.
10. Polymer
Polymer mats will give your car’s interior a stylish and attractive look, plus do an excellent job of trapping dirt and water. Further, the material has anti-skid properties and won’t move around unnecessarily on the floor.
However, regular cleaning will be required since it does not soak up spillages.
Final Word
In this article, we have mentioned different materials used in making car floor mats and broken down their properties. This will help you understand what they have to offer and the benefits they will bring to your car. Further, by stating their undesirable factors, you will know what you are getting yourself into so that you don’t find nasty surprises ahead.
And with that, you can now select the type of mat you feel will be most beneficial for your car.