Interlocking Foam Mats

Options for Interlocking Foam Mats

Interlocking foam mats are highly popular types of flooring, as they’re easy to install, they offer significant versatility, and they won’t bust your budget. They also deliver more durability than you might expect.

If you need flooring that protects athletes, kids, other people, or even animals, interlocking foam tiles carry these benefits. With foam puzzle mats from Greatmats, you don’t have to worry about using glue. The interlocking edges are made to fit tightly while allowing you to disassemble the tiles and return to the original flooring at any time, if necessary. If you’ve never considered foam flooring previously, learn more about why you should!

Features and Benefits of Foam Puzzle Mats

Interlocking foam puzzle mats and squares provide several features and benefits that make them an extremely popular choice among our Greatmats’ customers.

• Lightweight design
  
• Easy for DIY installation
  
• Will remain tightly connected without glue
  
• Easy to cut to fit
  
• Border strips create clean edges
  
• Made for permanent or temporary installations
  
• Cushioning for fall and anti-fatigue protection
  
• Multiple thicknesses available
  
• Some faux wood-grain designs
  
• Multiple colors
  
• Multiple textures for a non-slip surface
  
• Some designs let you mix colors
  
• Some tiles have reversible color designs
  
• Useful in residential and commercial locations
  
• Thermal protection against cold concrete floors
  
• Some tiles have a fall height rating
  
• Resists water spills
  
• Protect athletes, dogs, and more from lower body stress injuries

How to Choose the Right Interlocking Foam Mat

Choosing the right interlocking foam mats and tiles is easier when you focus on a few different product features.

Thickness Guide

Generally, mats measuring 3/8 of an inch in thickness work well for light-duty usage. Mats measuring 1/2 of an inch in thickness are strong all-around mats made for general usage and fitness. The thickest foam mats at 3/4 of an inch and thicker will match high-stress, heavy-duty usage plans.

Density and Durability

Puzzle foam mats generally have a configuration that’s less dense than materials like rubber, meaning they can deliver a high level of cushioning for athletics and other activities where people or kids may fall. However, certain foam mats offer a higher level of firmness and density to match your workout needs. Foam mats have more durability than you may think, allowing them to stand up to martial arts and other types of workouts.

Texture and Surface Finish

Some interlocking foam mats have a smooth finish, while others may offer a no-burn tatami surface or a pebble finish that enhances traction.

Use Types for Foam Puzzle Mats

One of the best reasons to select foam mats is that you can install them successfully in a variety of situations.

Home Gyms and Exercise Rooms

With a cushioned configuration and a low price per square foot, you can use foam mats for large home gyms without breaking the bank. They can stand up to tough workouts in your exercise room while protecting the lower body joints of athletes.

Kids’ Play Area

Foam interlocking tiles are perfect for kids’ play areas, as they protect children from bumps and bruises related to sudden falls. They’re available in many colors, allowing you to create a fun, bright atmosphere for kids.

Martial Arts

Martial arts studios frequently place our foam puzzle mats in workout spaces. They are durable enough for busy class schedules, but they also give the athletes the traction they need to perfect their techniques. If students may fall during workouts, the cushioned foam tiles can help them feel more comfortable (and less anxious) about hitting the ground safely.

Basement Flooring

Because most basements have concrete floors, covering the hard concrete with foam tiles unlocks a variety of potential use cases for the space. Foam is water-resistant, so it won’t become waterlogged if you have a leak or a flooding problem in the basement. Foam also acts as a thermal barrier against cold concrete.

Trade Shows and Exhibits

Lightweight and easy-to-assemble flooring is a must for trade shows. Our foam tiles are easy to transport to any event, allowing you to create a bright-colored floor or a faux wood-grain surface that will impress visitors.

Workshop and Garage Floors

When you’re standing and working at a bench in a workshop or garage, foam squares provide a comfortable space. They are also durable enough to stand up to most dropped items or spilled water.

Interlocking Foam Mats Q&A

How do you buy interlocking foam flooring tiles?

When you are preparing to buy interlocking foam flooring tiles, start by deciding what use case you need them to fulfill. Different densities, textures, coverage sizes, thicknesses, and design patterns are available to precisely fit the use case you have in mind.

How do you clean interlocking foam matting?

To clean interlocking foam matting, start by sweeping or vacuuming any dry debris. If you notice a spill, wipe up the excess liquid. You can use basic household cleaners that don’t contain bleach to clean spots off the foam mats.

How thick should foam mats be for kids?

The proper foam flooring thickness to use with kids’ activities is usually between 5/8 of an inch and 1-1/2 inches. These thicknesses deliver maximum cushioning against falls without being so soft that the child sinks into the material while walking or running.

What EVA foam texture is available on puzzle mats?

You have several textures available with foam puzzle mats. For example, a thatch surface texture is scuff-resistant and provides maximum traction. Pebble-style textures offer traction while remaining highly comfortable underfoot for athletic training. Several others are available, too.

How do you keep foam mats together without buckling?

To keep foam mats together without buckling after installation, take precautions against the natural expansion of the material. Generally, you should leave a gap of about 1/4 of an inch between the edge of the tile installation and any walls or other obstacles, giving the foam space to expand slightly in higher temperatures and humidity conditions. Foam tiles installed tightly against the walls may see buckling along the interlocking seams as the material expands, but has nowhere to go.