Stall Mats: More Details
Tenderfoot Stall Mats FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. If they do not answer your questions completely, please feel free to contact us.
- What are the differences among rubber mats?
- Are some mats softer than others?
- Do smooth mats have the same traction as textured mats?
- What about drainage grooves?
- Where does the urine go?
- Are larger mats better than smaller mats?
What are the differences among rubber mats?
Most mats are manufactured using a re-vulcanization process. During manufacturing, sulfur is mixed with rubber, heated and pressed in molds while emitting harmful, pollutants into the air. These mats have a sulfur, or rotten egg odor.
Tenderfoot Stall Mats are manufactured with an environmentally safe space age polymer banding agent on a continuous press. This allows RB Rubber to offer a variety of sizes and factory sheared edges for a tighter fit. By substituting re-vulcanization with our space age polymer, our customers receive a stronger, more resilient mat.
Are some mats softer than others?
Yes, polymer bonded mats are much softer than re-vulcanized mats. Re-vulcanized mats rely on extreme pressure to band the rubber together. This process compresses all of the air pockets from the rubber resulting in a very hard mat.
Tenderfoot Stall Mat's space age polymer bonding agent is specifically designed to provide the utmost strength, resilience and cushion to our mats for maximum comfort. It has increased integrity and tensile (stretch) strength throughout the mat for many years of extensive use.
Do smooth mats have the same traction as textured mats?
The amount of traction in a mat is directly related to the softness or hardness of the mat. The harder the surface, with or without texturing (pebbles, diamonds, or grooves), the more slippery the mat is. The softer the mat, with or without texturing, the more traction the mat will have.
What about drainage grooves?
Grooved mats appear to have great advantages over non-grooved mats. However, when installing a grooved mat over concrete, the mat collapses between the grooves. Over loose fill or aggregate surfaces, the grooves fill up, choking any ventilation the manufacturer promised. When installing grooved mats over any surface, the grooved mats over any surface, the grooves become a prime area for bacteria to grow and multiply.
When laid down in a stall application, the draining feature works only when all of the grooves are lined up throughout the stall. Installing grooved mats actually requires more matting in order to line up the grooves.
Remember, a mat is only as thick as its thinnest point. Grooved mats are an advantage to the manufacturer in that they require less material to produce and can be sold for the same amount as a regular, non-grooved mat. This means that when you purchase a 3/4" grooved mat, you actually get the strength of a 1/2" mat.
Where does the urine go?
Stall matting should be a non-porous, non-absorbent surface. Properly installed Tenderfoot Stall Mats are tight fitting, with no large gaps along the walls or seams. Bedding chaff packs into the seams and creates a very effective caulking, providing a surface which allows urine to pool on top of the mat and be absorbed by the bedding. Since the bedding absorbs all of the urine, cleaning your stall removes nearly 100% of the waste, thus eliminating odor.
Are larger mats better than smaller mats?
Larger mats have drawbacks! Large mats, such as a 6' x 12' weigh up to 250 lbs. and were not designed for livestock use. In fact they were made for conveyor belts and other machinery. Those mats are very hard and contain fibers such as nylon and rayon. These fibers do not expand and contract with the rubber, eventually resulting in curling, cracking and shrinking. When purchasing our matting, you will be certain that it is free of any fiber.
More questions? We are only one phone call or one email away. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is always ready and eager to help!
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