Regardless if you have just purchased a new car or are looking to spruce up your old vehicle, adding floor mats can make all the difference. Whether you are purchasing floor mats from a car dealership or an automotive shop, the options are usually endless and may be confusing. Generally, there are two main categories of floor mats: rubber floor mats and carpet floor mats. When deciding between the two materials, the choice is generally one of desired look and specific needs.
Rubber Floors Mats for the Big Haul
Rubber floor mats are the better choice for vehicles that do a great deal of hauling materials or people. Look to include rubber floor mats in truck beds or in the rear of vehicles and inside trunks. In addition to being much easier to clean than their carpet counterpart, rubber floor mats may offer a bit of skid protection. As a result, items you are hauling are not catapulted from one end of your vehicle to another. Also, if you live in an area that experiences messy weather or have a great deal of mud around your home or place of business, you may want to consider rubber floor mats specifically for the clean-up potential.
Carpet Floor Mats in Cars
Carpet floor mats are generally designated for cars, although there is no one reason why carpet must be included in cars and vice versa. Generally, carpet floor mats are thought to look better, and are often purchased directly from the dealership in a color that matches the interior carpeting of the vehicle. If you purchase carpet floor mats from an automotive store or an outside source other than a dealership, you may have potential problems in matching the color of the floor mat to the color of your interior. In this instance, consider using a coordinating color that will hide stains and clean up easily while looking nice with the interior of your car.
More on Carpet Floor Mats
Although carpet floor mats are usually purchased for vehicles designed for transportation instead of hauling purposes, many individuals find them inefficient. Especially if you have small children or pets, carpet floor mats can become easily dirty and stained with muddy feet or spills. For this reason, consider mats that are topped with a stain protective coating so that spills and liquids puddle on the surface instead of soaking through the mat. Although floor mats are generally the line of protection for the carpet underneath, very few individuals ever let this carpet show and often look for clear protective vinyl or rubber mats to protect their floor mats. Keep in mind that any floor mat should be secured to the floor to prevent slipping upon entering or exiting the vehicle, especially if the mat is located under the driver’s seat.
Consider using rubber floor mats for their customization options, since many individuals want to create a look especially for their car. These customizations can be anything from a name or nickname emblazoned on the floor mat to a cartoon character. With the booming customization business involving vehicles of all makes, shapes, and sizes, it is not surprising the customized floor mats have also become a trendy extra for vehicles.
In the end, the choice of rubber or carpet floor mats is completely up to you. First, consider your purposes of the vehicle and then your budget to determine which type of mat will best meet your needs. If budget is a main concern in your choice, check online – you can often find great prices on popular styles and brands of floor mats.
