You may not have stopped to think about it; but have you ever noticed that almost all rubber floor mats you see are black? Virtually anything that counts as a rubber surface is black, but most people have probably never questioned it. The answer, however, is more complicated than it appears, and actually comes down to a couple different factors, each of which is equally relevant.
Perhaps the biggest factor in the existence of black rubber mats is the material source they are made from. A good deal of the rubber floor mats you come into contact with probably –at some point in the past – were automobile tires. It is estimated that more than 250 million tires are discarded every year throughout the world. This sheer amount of rubber waste has a very negative impact on whatever area it is thrown away in. To help combat this issue, the idea of recycling rubber into the classic black rubber mat was concocted. Not only does this repurposing help protect our fragile environment, it also confers onto the black rubber mat the inherent durability and toughness of automobile tires. Purpose-built to withstand the heat, pressure, and puncture dangers of life on the road, the resilience of rubber tires is something to marvel at. By incorporating that resilience into their own design, black rubber mats make for a truly tough and always reliable product. Now, naturally, since the vast majority of rubber tires are black, the vast majority of rubber floor mats made from tires are black. By keeping the coloring consistent throughout the recycling process, the quality and low-cost realities of converting tires to mats are retained.
“Diamond Plate” Roll Rubber Matting
This low-cost aspect is another primary reason for why rubber surface mats are generally black. Pigmenting rubber mesh is a difficult process that – more often than not- does not yield good results. Since the raw, recycled materials that go into making black rubber mats are different (as inconsequential as it may be in terms of product quality) it is hard to have artificial coloring take evenly across the material. Different rubber types generally react differently to colorings, which can lead to mixed and unpredictable results when the coloring process is completed.
In simple terms, the coloring of black rubber mats can be done, however, by combining (“tumbling”) very small pieces of rubber with adhesive and paint, but these results will usually end up being extremely dark anyways. If the consumer really does require a more colorful solution, it is fairly easy and inexpensive to speckle color chips throughout the constitution of the rubber surface. This generally leaves the material as a primarily black rubber mat, but one that is now freckled with colorful dots. This is a popular option for playgrounds and other areas that seek to cultivated a “happy”, upbeat vibe.
Elephant Bark 5mm
Elephant Bark 5mm
- Made with used tire crumb
- Provides a variety of thickness and color options
- Easy to cut and install if you want a fun DIY project
- Cost-effective, durable, and sustainable over the long term
- Outdoor flooring readily available in custom lengths specified to your preference
Easy to Install: Whether you have a temporary or permanent use for these mats, the installation process for this rolled rubber flooring is so easy that you will hardly break a sweat. For temporary uses, double-sided tape is the best option. For a permanent installation, a glue adhesive will be ideal. The rubber material works very well with various adhesives. The weight of the mat itself is enough to keep it flat on the surface.
Excellent Durability: The protective qualities of this rolled rubber flooring is hard to beat. These rubber flooring mats are designed with abrasive conditions in mind. As a result, they excel as outdoor flooring in applications such as a kennel mat or flooring for a gym. The constant wear and tear of high foot traffic pose no problem to these durable Green floor mats. The rubber material of the mat will even buffer against the weight of heavy equipment, which can wreak havoc on wood floors. Their lasting durability has made them the preferred choice for floor protection across the country. It is hard to beat this level of quality protection for this price.
It is typically safe to say, however, that the plain and simple affordability of black rubber mats generally outweighs the “aesthetic” inclinations of consumers. Black really never does go out of style and fits into most applications just as good as, if not better than, other color options. Black is the color of the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, creating an air of mystery. It keeps things bottled up inside, hidden from the world. Color is a powerful and important communication tool, and it is tied to religious, cultural, political and social influences. Different colors mean different things in different places. This is extremely important for designers to know because without an awareness of the cultural significance of a particular color, you risk offending your entire target audience.
“Soft Cloud” Foam Comfort Mats
“Soft Cloud” Foam Comfort Mats
- Will not slide out of place
- Portable and easy to transport
- Perfect for the food service industry
- Easy to clean using water and non-corrosive cleaning agents
Added Traction: This comfort mat benefits from an enhanced level of traction thanks to the closed-cell design on the surface. While this padded floor gives you enough bounce to keep your feet comfortable, it will also increase traction so as to prevent costly and unwanted slips and accidents. Safety is just as important as comfort. Luckily, this anti-fatigue mat provides both in abundance.
Preferred by Employers: Some jobs can be very taxing on the feet. Cooks, cashiers, and assembly line workers often get uncomfortable during the day because they stand for hours on end without any kind of cushioning for their feet. Uncomfortable workers means low productivity. Whether your business is commercial or industrial, mats like the “Soft Cloud” are perfect because they are bouncy enough to relieve feet of stationary pressure. If you notice that your workers are uncomfortable, buy this comfort mat to keep them comfortable and productive!
Finally, it must be said that, if a consumer really must have a colorful cheap floor mat, then their best bet would be to go with a PVC or plastic flooring option. These products are easier to color than rubber, on the whole, and can be colored to exact Pantone codes. However, these alternatives can have varying price tags and availabilities, so check with your local flooring retailer before making any concrete purchasing decisions.
Black rubber mats are such a staple in the flooring industry that they practically require no marketing at this point. Reliable, safe, cost-effective, and comfortable, the plethora of benefits that the black rubber mat affords to areas of all kinds should not be taken for granted. Hopefully, your questions regarding the coloring of rubber mats have been satisfied. This is just the first step, however -continue learning as much as you can about the practicalities and applications of black rubber mats to see how you can fit them into your home or workplace today!
