Floor mats today present you with many options. One of the first choices you must make is between carpet and rubber. Both types have pros and cons for you to consider.
Which Material is Best for Car Mats?
Both carpet and rubber are excellent floor car mat material. Rubber mats are easy to clean and can withstand very dirty environments. Carpet mats are available in more custom colors and styles to match the interior of your vehicle. Depending upon usage, either material can meet your needs.
Difference Between Car Floor Carpets & Rubber
There are a few basic differences between rubber and carpet that you should be aware of before deciding. They include the following:
- Rubber mats are more economical than carpet.
- Rubber mats are more durable.
- Carpet floor mats can be personalized.
- Carpet mats provide a higher-end look.
If you live in an area where you aren’t exposed to a great deal of mud, snow, and other debris, carpet mats work well. If you are off-roading or pursuing other outdoor activities, try rubber mats.
All-Weather Floor Mats
Considered by some drivers to be the best rubber floor mat, an all-weather mat is the toughest car flooring you can buy. It is designed to channel water and mud away from the underlying carpet and contain messes until you can clean them up. These mats are a must-have if you live in any place where inclement weather is the norm.
Choosing the Best Floor Mats for You: Pros and Cons
Choosing between rubber and carpet floor mats for cars is no different from any other choice in life. Yes, they’re only car mats, but considering how much time you spend in your car, you deserve to be happy with them!
In this article, you’ll learn how to choose the perfect floor mat for your lifestyle.
Rubber Car Floor Mat Pros
- Rubber floor mats are easy to clean
- Rubber floor mats are often more economical than carpet floor mats.
- Rubber mats provide even better protection as compared to carpet car floor mats.
- Rubber car mats are durable and designed to withstand the elements of harsh climates better than carpet car floor mats.
- Rubber floor mats are made to withstand high-level dirt environments.
Rubber Car Floor Mat Cons
- Because colors are limited, you can’t expect your rubber floor mat to be an exact match to the underlying carpet.
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- Rubber mats aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as carpet options.
- Rubber material floor mats typically come in limited colors. These colors are grey, black and sometimes tan.
Carpet Floor Car Mat Pros
- There are many types of custom carpet floor mats available.
- Custom carpet floor mats usually provide more protection and coverage than factory carpet car mats.
- Custom carpet car mats are generally cheaper than a dealership carpet floor mat.
- Carpet car mats are perfectly suitable if you live in a city or an area where you don’t come in contact with a high level of snow, sand, loose dirt, or mud.
- Custom carpeted floor mats come in a vast array of colors.
- Carpet floor mats come with logos, can be personally embroidered with initials or names, or woven with multicolor fibers to create several different colors to match any personal taste.
- There is also a wide choice of carpet fibers—from rugged to Berber carpeting, to other plush luxury versions.
Carpet Floor Car Mat Cons
- Carpet stains more easily.
- Carpet mats do not handle wear and tear nearly as well as durable rubber.
- Carpet mats provide less traction.
- Carpeted car mats require more upkeep.
- Carpet mats are more difficult to vacuum.
Evaluating Which Type of Floor Mat is Better for You
After assessing the essential pros and cons of rubber versus carpet floor car mats, it’s now important that you take into consideration your tastes, lifestyle, and needs.
Rubber Floor Mats Are Recommended If:
- You eat or drink in the car often. Rubber will take the abuse of hard day-to-day living better than carpet car floor mats.
- You regularly transport dirty cargo. This dirty cargo can be anything from hauling groceries, trips to the nursery, or soccer cleats.
- You live in an extreme weather environment. Rubber floor mats are tough enough to protect the interior of your car.
- Dogs, cats, or other animals travel in your vehicle. Not only do animals track dirt into your car, but their small nails may catch on carpet car floor mats causing unsightly snags.
Carpet Floor Mats Are Recommended If:
- You decide to make a statement by having a logo embroidered on your floor mats. This logo can be anything you choose.
- You want an exact or extremely close match between your interior and existing factory floor carpet.
- You prefer a nicer aesthetic for the interior of your car.
- You want to have custom piping, colors, or binding for your car mats.
Are Floor Mats Really Necessary?
While they may not be the most exciting accessory for your vehicle, floor mats are essential.
Whether you live near the beach, in cold weather climates, or anywhere in between, your car mat protects your carpet and avoids potential corrosion of the underlying foot well metal.
Why Car Mats Matter
Soiled and unseemly looking car floor mats, whether they are rubber or carpet, factor into the overall resale value of your vehicle. Experienced car owners know a tattered car mat can mean potential damage hidden beneath the mat. Inexperienced car owners will steer away from your car on a purely aesthetic level if your car floor mat is in bad shape.
How to Choose the Best Floor Mat for You
The best car floor mats will be the ones that work with your lifestyle. If your ride needs a sleek, custom look, go with carpet. Rubber mats are a good choice for vehicles that haul gear, pets, and lots of people.
Browse our selection of floor mats today!
