PVC noodle, rubber or welcome mat: which one for your entrance?
The mat outside the door takes the most beating in the house. Pick it by where it sits, not just by looks.
Team Sweethomee, Panipat
4 Nov 2026 · 6 min read
SweethomeeEvery week someone messages us a photo of their gate or porch and asks, "bhaiya, isme kaunsa mat lagega?" A soft shaggy mat looks lovely, but outside the door it gets wet, muddy and sun-baked. For the outer side you want PVC or rubber. Here is how our four outdoor types differ, so you buy once and don't replace it every monsoon.
The four types side by side
All four are made for the outside of the door. The difference is how they handle dirt and water.
| PVC noodle (coil) | Rubber zig-zag | Rubber lava | Welcome PVC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Flexible PVC loops | Natural rubber, 5mm | Natural rubber, 12mm | PVC, textured/embossed |
| Traps dirt | Very well, dirt falls into the loops | Well, in the grooves | Well, in the cut-outs | Good, on the raised pattern |
| Water | Passes through | Waterproof, hose wash | Waterproof, hose wash | Waterproof, wipe or wash |
| Best spot | Main gate, porch, shop entrance | Long corridors, ramps, stairs | Heavy footfall, outdoor, wet areas | Main door of a flat or house |
| Sizes | 38×58 cm up to 2×35 ft runners | 2 ft and 4 ft wide runners | 40×60 and 45×70 | 38×58 to 60×90 cm |
PVC noodle mat: the dirt catcher
The noodle mat is made of springy PVC loops, also called a coil mat. When you wipe your feet, the dust and sand fall down between the loops instead of sitting on top, so they don't come inside. Water passes straight through, which is why it works so well at a gate or under a car-porch tap.
It comes as a doormat in 38×58, 45×70 and 60×90 cm, and as a 2 ft wide runner from 2×5 up to 2×35 feet, in Black, Blue, Green, Grey and Red. The anti-slip back holds best on a clean, dry floor.
Rubber mats: for corridors and heavy use
Our zig-zag floor mat is 5mm natural rubber, front and back. It comes as long runners, 2 ft wide (2×5 to 2×35 ft) and 4 ft wide (4×3 to 4×35 ft), so it suits a society corridor, a ramp, a shop floor or a stair landing. Wash it with a hose or brush and it dries quickly.
The lava mat is the heavy one, 12mm of black natural rubber in 40×60 and 45×70. It doesn't fly away in wind, doesn't curl in the sun and handles rain. If a lot of people walk over your entrance, this is the one we suggest.
Welcome mats: when the door is the first thing guests see
For the main door of a flat, most people want something that looks nice too. Our welcome PVC mats have the word Welcome in a textured or embossed design with an anti-slip back.
- 12mm welcome PVC mat: thicker, in 38×58, 45×70 and 60×90 cm
- 9mm embossed welcome mat: slimmer, in 38×58 and 45×70 cm
- Red hollow rubber welcome mat: rubber with a hollow design, in 40×60 and 45×70 cm
Our trick: two mats, one outside and one inside
The cleanest homes we know use two mats. A PVC or rubber mat outside takes the mud and water. A soft mat just inside the door dries the feet. For the inside one, see our doormat buying guide and the popcorn vs glossy shaggy comparison.
How to pick the size
- Measure the door width. The mat should be about as wide as the door, or a little less.
- Single door of a flat: 38×58 or 45×70 cm is enough.
- Double door or a wide gate: 60×90 cm, or a runner.
- Corridor or ramp: measure the length and pick the nearest runner size. Noodle runners go up to 35 ft.
Frequently asked questions
Which door mat is best for outside the house?
A PVC noodle (coil) mat or a rubber mat. Both are waterproof, handle sun and rain, and trap dirt before it comes inside. Soft shaggy mats are better kept inside the door.
What is a noodle mat?
A mat made of springy PVC loops. Dirt falls between the loops and water passes through, so it suits gates, porches and shop entrances.
How do I clean a PVC or rubber door mat?
Shake it out, then wash it with a hose or a brush. Both dry quickly.
Do you have long runner mats for corridors?
Yes. The PVC noodle runner is 2 ft wide, up to 35 ft long. The rubber zig-zag mat comes 2 ft or 4 ft wide, also up to 35 ft long.
