You step on these floor liners every time you get in or out of your vehicle, and yet they’re so easy to overlook. They don’t need so much maintenance except for the regular cleaning, but did you know that they come in various types?
Car floor mat types include fabric, rubber, vinyl, curly, 3D mats and more. Each has unique traits that benefit users differently, but overall, a car floor mat protects the vehicle’s floor from dirt, mud, spills, or debris that people carry in their shoes.
We’ll talk about all that in this guide, including the other names used to refer to floor mats, the different types, and how they vary from each other.
Let’s get to it.
What Are Car Mats Called?
Car mats are known by a few other names. Most people call them ‘car mats’, but you’ll often find them online labelled as automobile floor mats, car floor liners, or automobile carpet.
No matter what you call them, these mats have the same purpose. They form an additional layer on your car’s floor to protect the bottom against spills, dirt, mud, and anything else that might fall on it.
Besides that, they also provide additional comfort for your feet as you rest them on the mat.
Another term often used interchangeably with car mats is ‘cargo liners’. As you’ll see later in this article, cargo liners have a similar purpose but with a significant difference. They also protect the floor, but for cargo items that you carry in the vehicle.
The liners ensure the cargo doesn’t damage the floor and vice versa. Liners typically have raised edges to prevent cargo from sliding too far away.
Car mats and cargo liners are standard features in all cars. However, you can invest in aftermarket products to upgrade your current floor mats or replace damaged ones.
What Is the Mat for a Car’s Boot Called?
The mat in your car’s boot or trunk is called the cargo liner. Also known as car boot liners, they are very similar to floor mats in their purpose. Liners provide an additional layer on top of the floor to protect it against fluids, dirt, and other impurities.
Cargo liners also provide more protection against impact both for the floor and the cargo.
If you often drive with animals in the car, you can also invest in car boot liners for dogs. They not only protect your floor from scratches but also keep your pets more comfortable.
Why Do You Need a Good Car Mat?
A car floor mat does more than what most people think.
You need an excellent car mat for the following reasons:
- Protect against spills: A high-quality car mat will protect the car’s floor against spills. In addition, a car mat is very easy to clean whenever it gets dirty. You can remove it from the vehicle and wash or vacuum it as needed.
- Provide additional comfort: A car’s floor is hard and uncomfortable for our feet. That’s especially true if you’re driving for several hours non-stop. Car mats help to minimise discomfort and provide a nice place for your feet to rest.
- Gather dirt under your shoes: People carry lots of dust and dirt under their shoes when they enter a car, as well as mud and water other times. A good car mat can capture all these things and make it easier to clean.
- Keep your pets comfy and your cargo in place: For these purposes, you’ll need thicker liners, even some with stoppers at the bottom.
A standard car mat in good condition will provide the benefits listed above. You must replace worn-out car mats or upgrade to better car mats anytime you want.
What Are the Different Types of Car Floor Mats?
Automobile floor mats come in various types, each with unique traits and benefits.
Here are the different ones you can find on the market today:
1. Fabric
The most common type of floor mat you’ll find are fabric ones. Most car models have fabric mats as a standard feature because they cost little to produce and can be made in various colours and designs.
More specifically, the top part of the mat is made of fabric, while the bottom is made of rubber. The rubber side helps the mat stay in place and prevents slipping.
2. Rubber
Rubber car floor mats are also relatively standard. They do get dirty very fast but are very easy to clean and dry, and significantly more durable than fabric. Another downside to many rubber mats is that they don’t look very pleasing to the eye unless you invest in high-quality and more expensive types.
These mats are often used in dirtier environments, like off-roading trucks.
3. Vinyl
You can also choose vinyl mats that last longer than rubber ones. They are typically designed to trap water, dirt, mud, and anything else that comes off the bottom of your shoes. You can read more about automobile carpet vs vinyl flooring here.
4. Curly mats
Curly mats, or nomad mats, are excellent for soaking up spills. They’re called ‘curly’ mats because they have a curly surface that traps plenty of debris and keeps them in place.
Of course, you’ll have to clean them thoroughly pretty often to remove the dirt they trap.
5. 3D mats
Lastly, you can also get 3D mats made of polymer. These have more texture and shape and come off as a ‘premium’ type of car floor mat.
Naturally, they cost more than the other kinds of mats above. Still, that price is worth it if you prioritise how the floor mats add to the vehicle’s interior aesthetics and comfort.
Where Can You Buy Car Floor Mats?
You can find car floor mats sold at almost any automotive accessory supplier. Typically, they stock various brands and types for you to choose from.
That means you can get cheap car floor mats or pay extra to get custom car floor mats that fit your car perfectly like a glove.
Whatever you’re looking for, you can find car accessory sellers through CarpartAU’s Directory. Use it to find the automotive businesses in your area and get their contact details so you can drop by and do some shopping!
By Ray Hasbollah