Car Floor Mat Material: Carpet vs. Rubber

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!

Pros of Rubber Car Floor Mats

• 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 mats.
• Rubber floor mats are made to withstand high-level dirt environments.

Cons of Rubber Car Floor Mats

• Because colors are limited, you can’t expect your rubber floor mat to be an exact match to the underlying carpet.
• 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.

Pros of Carpet Floor Car Mats

• 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.

Cons of Carpet Floor Car Mats

• 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.

So, Which Car Mat is Right For You?

It all comes down to your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Do you eat in your car and constantly haul dirty cargo? Rubber floor mats are for you. Do you prefer a nicer aesthetic and custom designs? Go with carpet floor mats. Even though there are only two basic types of car floor mats, carpet and rubber, there are many things to take into consideration when deciding between your ideal choice.

Above all, car mats don’t need to be boring! Whether it’s carpet or heavy-duty rubber car floor mats, your car mats project your individual needs, whether you want practicality, luxury, or a combination of the two.