Choosing a dirt-protective coating: characteristics and features

Recommendation points

• Anti-pollution systems
• Anti-pollution grates
• Modular coatings
• Dirt-resistant carpets
• Overview and characteristics of anti-pollution products from different manufacturers
• Tips for choosing a stain-resistant coating
• Care and maintenance of anti-dirt carpets

Mud covers protect the premises from dust and dirt that is brought in from the street. In the article, we will describe in detail the types of protective coatings, the features of their application, and also give a number of practical recommendations for choosing high-quality and affordable protective carpets and door mats..

About 90% of pollution enters the premises from the street. Sand, dust, moisture are introduced on the soles of shoes – everything that worsens the appearance of the floor covering and leads to its rapid wear.

To maintain cleanliness inside the premises, special coatings have been developed, which are placed at the entrance to the building. Safety carpets serve two main purposes:

• effectively cleans dirt from the soles of shoes;
• retain moisture and dirt inside themselves, preventing them from spreading outside the entrance vestibule.

Anti-pollution systems

The modular dirt protection system is a comprehensive approach to solving the problem of building cleanliness. The system includes three successive stages and involves the use of three types of coatings that protect against dirt.

First level settles down outside the premises – on the terrace, porch or directly in front of the front door. The antisplash is placed in pits (niches) or on the surface. Usually these are honeycomb honeycomb modules made of an aluminum profile. The design includes inserts made of rubber or a stiff brush. The first stage removes the coarsest dirt and snow.

The optimal length of the carpet of the first degree of protection is 3-4 meters – this is exactly how much you have to walk so that the soles are maximally cleaned of dirt.

Second level located in doorways or vestibule space. The main task is to remove fine dirt fractions and maximize moisture absorption. Small hole diameter aluminum mudguards or moisture-wicking vinyl-backed carpets can do this..

Third level protection is carried out already inside the building (stairs, corridor, hall or lobby). In this area there are soft polypropylene or polyamide carpets on a rubber backing. The task of the coatings is the final cleaning of shoes, the collection of residual water and sand.

All coatings that prevent the spread of dirt can be roughly divided into three categories:

• antisplash grilles;
• modular coatings;
• anti-dirt carpets and rugs.

Anti-pollution grates

Mudguards – stacked construction with a wide variety of cleaning elements that are attached to supporting arched aluminum profiles.

Grilles can have the following types of inserts:

• embossed rubber – suitable for places with medium traffic;
• anti-slip vinyl – are highly wear-resistant;
• weather-resistant plastic – located outside the building;
• pile or with brushes – have high absorbent and cleaning capabilities (second degree of protection against dirt);
• optional aluminum scrapers – the first level of protection for high-traffic areas.

Advantages of mudguards:

• the ability to combine several different inserts for better cleaning;
• aesthetic appearance;
• do not harm shoes and floor surfaces;
• prevent slipping;
• resistance to aggressive environments, temperature fluctuations.

The disadvantages of the gratings include their high cost (about 60-180 USD / m²) and the need for service – it is better to trust the specialists with high-quality cleaning.

Modular coatings

Modular systems are successfully used both outside and inside the building. Some models are used in technical rooms, kitchens, showers and swimming pools. The cover is made of elastic wear-resistant PVC, it can have different heights (8–20 mm) and mesh sizes (small, medium and large).

Advantages of modular rugs:

• you can buy a ready-made coating or make it to order according to individual sizes;
• high resistance to temperature extremes (from -40 to +50 ° С);
• possibility of installation in a pit or on a floor surface;
• a wide range of color solutions makes it possible to choose a module in accordance with the interior;
• affordable cost (about 15 USD / m²).

This coating does not absorb moisture, therefore it can only be used in combination with other dirt-protecting elements..

Dirt-resistant carpets

Dirt-resistant carpets are made from sisal, textile or vinyl fiber. They are located indoors, perform a practical and aesthetic function, being part of the interior.

It is interesting:pile carpets can hold up to 4 kg of sand and absorb up to 7 liters of water per 1 m².

Advantages of antisplash carpets over conventional carpets:

• abrasion resistance;
• increased hygroscopicity;
• the presence of a rubber base that prevents slipping and retains dirt inside;
• ease of care.

Bristle coatings are available in a wide color palette and can be used to decorate an office, shop or apartment..

Overview and characteristics of anti-pollution products from different manufacturers

Table. Comparative characteristics of mudguards

Supplier company	“AS-Oblik”	“Alsagor”	Italmas	Izhora-Stroy
Type of inserts	polyamide and plastic brushes	textiles and aluminum scrapers	rubber profile reinforced with composite material	aluminum cleaning comb	galvanized extruded profiles
Operating temperature range	from -60 to +60 ° С	from -60 to +60 ° С	from -50 to +50 ° С	from -40 to +70 ° С	from -40 to +50 ° С
Height, mm	22	22	20	23	20
Installation method	in a pit or on a floor surface	in a pit or on a floor surface	into the pit	in a pit or on a floor surface	in a pit or on a floor surface
Price per m2, at. e.	180	140	40	150	32

Table. Comparative characteristics of mud protection modules

Supplier company	“Shine”	“Enterline”	Standartpark
Manufacturer country	Russia	Russia	Ukraine
Material	Pvc	PVC with elastomer	Pvc
Structure	middle cell	large, height 9 mm	Z-shaped structure
Properties	non-slip surface, multiple use possible	anti-slip, trauma-proof	permissible intensity of passage 5000 people / day; anti-slip
Scope of application	territory near the house, children’s, sports grounds, swimming pools	pools, vestibule coverings	outside the building or in the vestibule
Price per m2, at. e.	7	20	13-15

Table. Comparative characteristics of antisplash carpets

Supplier company	“AS-Oblik”	Kleen-Tex	Standartpark	GUMMI
Manufacturer country	Belgium	Austria	Ukraine	Russia
Top material	polyamide thread, sheared pile	twisted unbreakable polyamide	polyamide, twisted pile	polyamide, embossed surface
The basis	rubber	rubber	rubber	rubber crumb
Pile height, mm	7	12	12	ten
Availability of decor	not	not	not	Yes
Water absorption, l / m2	5-6	five	6-7	7
Price per m2, at. e.	27	20	26	20

Tips for choosing a stain-resistant coating

1. For public buildings, it would be most rational to install all three levels of dirt protection.
2. On the porch of a private house, it is better to place a compact lattice with aluminum profiles and brushes.
3. It is enough to buy a dirt-protective mat for the entrance hall to the apartment, since there are already metal grilles for cleaning shoes at the entrance to the staircase.
4. Modules are suitable for the playground and the pool area.
5. In office and commercial premises, it is better to replace large-mesh modules with a plastic coating with a fine mesh, in which the heels of women’s shoes will not get stuck.
6. You cannot use polypropylene rugs outside – in the cold they tan, become very slippery and traumatic.
7. When choosing a product, you need to pay attention to the absorption capacity and wear resistance of the coating.

Care and maintenance of anti-dirt carpets

In order to prolong the life of the stain-resistant coating, it must be cleaned regularly. You can wash a small pile rug at home yourself, but to clean large items you will have to seek help from cleaning companies.

The grill or membrane at the entrance to the house is cleaned as it gets dirty – usually once a week. With the help of a powerful vacuum cleaner, visible dirt is removed, after which the surface is washed with a jet of water under pressure.

Indoor dirt-resistant carpets should be vacuumed once every two days; in rainy weather, cleaned daily. Wet mop on monthly basis, carpet shampoo and soft bristle brush can be used.

Cleaning sequence:

1. Remove dust from carpet.
2. Dissolve the shampoo in water and beat until thick foam..
3. Apply lather evenly to the carpet and gently rub in a circular motion.
4. Leave the mat for 3-4 hours. At this time, it is impossible to walk on the surface so as not to damage the pile.
5. Vacuum the carpet.

When caring for dirt-protective coatings, do not use powder products, otherwise the structure of the carpet will change and the performance will deteriorate.