Let's face it: regular doormats and outdoor mats just can't handle the abuse. They crack, they fade, they give up. But WaterHog? These outdoor mats are gluttons for punishment, practically begging for your worst. While other outdoor mats wave the white flag, WaterHog keeps scraping, trapping, and protecting your floors like it's day one.
Think other outdoor doormats are tough enough to be a WaterHog? Think again. We're about to show you why these mats outlast everything else on the market. From the science behind their durability to real-world torture tests, you'll see exactly why WaterHog mats keep performing when others tap out.
WaterHog Construction: Built to Be Battered & Beloved
WaterHog mats don't happen by accident. We've packed three game-changing features into every outdoor mat, making them the undisputed champions of floor protection. Yeah, other outdoor mats might try to compete, but here's why they can't touch a WaterHog.
The Original Bi-Level Design
Send dirt to the dungeon - that's what our signature bi-level surface does best. We created this beast by positioning stain-resistant fabric over rubber nubs, crafting channels that trap dirt and moisture below shoe level.
Those rubber nubs? They're not just for show. They keep the surface from getting crushed under heavy foot traffic. While other outside mats go flat and give up, a WaterHog keeps standing tall.
We don't mess around with materials either. The surface is pure premium - solution-dyed PET fabric weighing 24 ounces per square yard. It laughs at rain, dries quick, and tells fading, stains, and rot to take a hike.
Real Outdoor Mats Are Backed By Rubber
The rubber we make in-house is built to hold up to the elements - and you. Each WaterHog mat rocks a 78-mil SBR backing that’s built to survive and perform in the toughest outdoor environments.
This isn't your average rubber backing. It won't crack, rot, or crumble - no matter what you throw at it. Plus, it's packed with 20% recycled rubber. Good for the planet, tough for your floors.
Best part? Your mat stays put. While other mats creep around like they're trying to escape, WaterHog plants its feet and stays put. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) even certified our grip game with the coveted “High-Traction” certification.
Dam Right It Holds Water
Here's where WaterHog really shows off - the water dam border. The design we created four decades ago keeps moisture from making a break for your floors. How much can it hold? Try over a gallon per square yard.
Rain, sleet, snow? Bring it on. The border handles it all, working with that bi-level surface like they've been best friends forever. Together, they're your floors' personal bodyguards against whatever mother nature throws down.
Put these three features together and what do you get? An outdoor mat that's ready to take your worst and keep coming back for more. While regular outside mats are waving the white flag, a WaterHog's just getting started.
Any Weather, Anywhere: Made to be Left Outside & Ignored
Built to be ignored during the toughest of times, WaterHog mats laugh in the face of Mother Nature's mood swings. From scorching summers to bitter winters, these mats don't just survive - they thrive when the weather turns nasty.
Bring on the Rain and Snow
WaterHog mats are gluttons for punishment, especially when it comes to moisture. Each mat happily drinks over a gallon of water per square yard, while other outdoor mats and doormats are drowning in self-pity.
That bi-level surface? It's not just for show. It scrapes snow and ice off shoes, sending all that mess into deep valleys below. Meanwhile, the water dam border plays bouncer, making sure no moisture sneaks past onto your floors.
Got yourself caught in a downpour? No sweat. Toss your WaterHog over a railing, and it'll shake it off faster than you can say "rain check". Yeah, there's a WaterHog for that.
Summer Heat? No Sweat.
When the mercury rises, regular outdoor mats fold like a cheap lawn chair. But WaterHog? It soaks up the sun like it's on vacation. Those solution-dyed PET fibers keep their cool and their color, while that rubber backing we make in-house stays tough as nails.
Go ahead, leave it out in the blazing sun. Watch it laugh at warping, fading, and all that summer drama. While other outdoor mats made with PVC or vinyl are having a meltdown, your WaterHog keeps trapping sand, dirt, and whatever else summer throws its way. Those colors? They'll stay bright enough to make your sunglasses jealous.
Freezing Temps? Bring It On
Here's where WaterHog really shows off. When winter gets mean, these mats get meaner. Snow and ice try to stick around? Not happening.
That raised surface keeps working even when everything else is frozen solid, scraping winter's worst right off your boots. The rubber backing? It handles freeze-thaw cycles like a champ, keeping its grip while other exterior mats turn into hockey pucks. Throw snow, salt, and mud at it all at once - your WaterHog can take it.
What's it handling while you're staying cozy inside?
· Scraping off snow and ice
· Trapping salt and sand
· Soaking up slush
· Keeping moisture in check
All this winter warrior action means less chance of slip-and-slide adventures by your door. Plus, that NFSI certification means it's got the grip to back up its tough talk.
Simply put, no matter your location, or weather extremes, you can count on a WaterHog mat to perform and protect when you need it most.
Hurts So Good: The Numbers Behind the Beast
We've spent decades putting WaterHog through hell. Let's carve out a few minutes to highlight just how much punishment these mats can take, and how much they go through before they even make it to your home.
Drinks Like a Fish
WaterHog doesn't just handle water - it drinks it up like a camel before a desert trek. We're talking over a gallon per square yard, thanks to that clever water dam border design.
The surface doesn't just sit there getting soggy, either. Our quick-drying PET actively pushes moisture away from foot traffic, while those raised nubs work like hundreds of tiny squeegees on your shoes, sending water straight to the mat's basement.
Dirt's Worst Nightmare
Think your entryway is messy? Here's how WaterHog handles the chaos:
· Effective patterns that scrapes dirt like a boot camp drill sergeant
· Deep valleys that trap dirt below shoe level - no escape routes here
· An impermeable rubber backing that prevents debris from going any further
Pack all that into 24 ounces of surface density per square yard, and you've got a dirt trap that would make Houdini jealous. That solution-dyed PET fabric? It keeps performing long after other outdoor mats throw in the towel.
Tested to Breaking Point (Spoiler: It Doesn't)
We put the pain in painstaking testing:
· Crush it? We try
· Slip resistance? Multiple ways
· Friction tests? You bet
Those slip resistance numbers? They're not just good - they're "British Pendulum Number over 36" good or having a static coefficient of friction rating over .60. That's science-speak for not far off from a set of rubber tires on a dry road, which holds a SCOF of 0.90 (obviously).
But wait, there's more:
· We burn it
· We stretch it
· We scrape it
· We soak it
That rubber backing with up to 20% recycled content? Won't crack, won't rot. Those rubber nubs? They're like tiny bouncers that never get tired.
Real-world results back up our lab torture sessions. From mall entrances to outdoor warfare, WaterHog mats were originally born to bear the brunt of heavily trafficked commercial and industrial settings. That 24-ounce PET fabric isn't just tough - it's setting the standard for what outdoor mats should be.
You still think other outdoor mats are tough enough to be a WaterHog?
Yeah, There's a WaterHog for That
On the outside of your home, there are trouble spots galore. WaterHog has solutions. Let's talk about where these exterior mats work their magic - and trust us, they've got plenty to go around.
Front Door Defense
First impressions matter. Plant a WaterHog at your front door, and it starts scraping, trapping, and absorbing before dirt even thinks about sneaking inside. Want to play serious defense? Double up with another mat just inside - it's like having a backup bouncer for your floors.
Those NFSI-certified grip features aren't just for show. From stilettos to wheelchairs, those beveled edges make sure everyone gets the red-carpet treatment - minus the actual red carpet, of course; although we do have bordeaux.
Back Deck Battles
Let's be real - your back door sees some stuff. Garden mud, pet chaos, weather gone wild - it's like nature's party spot. Good thing WaterHog mats can hold over a gallon of water per square yard and stick to their post even when the wind's trying to steal them.
Got a garden door? That bi-level surface is your new best friend. It scrapes shoes clean and sends the evidence below deck, while that water dam border makes sure moisture doesn't make a break for it.
Slick Carports & Garages
Ever ice skated wearing normal shoes in the summer? If you have a carport or garage, odds are you’ve experienced slippery floors from the moisture left behind from a typical summer downpour. Place a WaterHog mat in these areas to help provide that much needed traction and skip out on the skating shows.
High-Traffic Hotspots
WaterHog mats don't just guard doors - they're ready to tackle any busy spot in your home:
· Those tricky indoor-outdoor transitions
· Busy walkways that never sleep
· Anywhere water likes to collect
That premium rubber backing? It laughs at heavy traffic. Those reinforced nubs keep standing tall years after other mats would've given up and gone home.
Got multiple entries? Line 'em all up with WaterHogs. These mats keep their cool no matter where you put them, bringing that commercial-grade toughness right to your doorstep.
And talk about playing well with others - WaterHog gets along with most floor types:
· Hardwoods? Check
· Luxury vinyl? You bet
· Tile? Absolutely
· Carpet? No problem (if it’s low-pile only)
· Stone or brick? Done and done
Just do us a favor and reference your flooring manufacturer’s guide if you have any reservations or concerns.
Pro tip: Make sure everything's bone dry before you lay it down. Give it a shake when it's dirty, hose it off when it's filthy, and let it air dry like nature intended. Simple as that.
Beat It Up, Hose It Down. It Actually Likes It.
Your WaterHog loves to work, but even champions need a little care. Here's how to keep your mat ready for its next battle with dirt and moisture.
Weekly Warrior Care
Keep your WaterHog in fighting shape with regular maintenance. Hit it with a vacuum to pull out the dirt hiding in its depths. Take it slow - those deeper valleys hold onto debris like a champ.
Got leaves and sand? Take your mat outside and shake it like you mean it. Those particles trapped in the bi-level surface will surrender pretty quickly. Or just grab your vacuum - it works just as well and won't hurt your mat one bit.
After the rain turns everything to mud, show your WaterHog some tough love. Shake off the chunks, then blast it with your garden hose. Just make sure everything's bone dry before putting it back to work.
When It Needs the Deep Clean Treatment
Red clay giving you grief? Wine decide to join the party? WaterHog can handle it. Hit those spots with your favorite stain fighter (skip the bleach) or mild soap, scrub it with a soft brush, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
Want to really show it who's boss? Break out the pressure washer:
· Grab that 40° white nozzle
· Keep it under 2000 psi
· Stand back 12 inches
· Pre-treat with mild soap
· Allow to completely air dry before replacing
Don't forget about the floor underneath - give it a quick clean every few weeks. Keeps everything grippy and performing at its best.
The World's Most Disrespected Mat is Actually... Insanely Respected
WaterHog mats aren't here for glamour—they're here for the grind. These mats take on muddy boots, dripping umbrellas, and clawing pets without breaking a sweat. Designed to be disrespected, they thrive under the abuse that would leave ordinary mats in ruins.
And while the "disrespected" mantra may be tongue-in-cheek, the respect WaterHog has earned is very real. What sets WaterHog apart isn't just the performance; it's the values behind our brand and products. WaterHog mats are made in the USA by workers earning a livable wage and benefits, using recycled materials from rubber and plastic that give new purpose to things otherwise destined for a landfill. Backed by industry certifications and a satisfaction guarantee, they're a testament to quality, sustainability, and trust.
So go ahead, disrespect it. After all, a WaterHog mat is the most battered, yet beloved mat in the world.
Interested in learning more about WaterHog? Check out our extensive blog The Best Floor Mats are Designed to be Disrespected.
WaterHog FAQs
Q1. Are WaterHog mats a worthwhile investment?
WaterHog mats are indeed a worthwhile investment. They offer superior durability, exceptional dirt and moisture trapping capabilities, and maintain their effectiveness for years. Their unique design and high-quality materials make them stand out in protecting floors from outdoor elements.
Q2. How do WaterHog mats perform in different weather conditions?
WaterHog mats excel in all weather conditions. They can hold over a gallon of water per square yard, effectively manage snow and ice, resist fading in intense sunlight, and maintain their shape and functionality even in freezing temperatures. This all-season performance makes them suitable for various climates.
Q3. What makes WaterHog mats different from regular outdoor mats?
WaterHog mats feature a unique bi-level surface design, premium rubber backing technology, and a water dam border. These features, combined with their eco-friendly construction using recycled materials, set them apart in terms of durability, moisture absorption, and dirt-trapping capabilities.
Q4. How should WaterHog mats be maintained?
Regular maintenance of WaterHog mats involves weekly vacuuming or shaking to remove loose debris. For deeper cleaning, they can be hosed down, pressure washed (with care), or spot-cleaned with mild detergent. Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach. Ensure the mat is completely dry before placing it back in position.
Q5. Where are the best places to use WaterHog mats?
WaterHog mats are versatile and can be used in various locations. They are particularly effective at front entrances, back doors, and high-traffic areas. For maximum protection, consider placing one mat outside and another inside the entrance. They can also be used in transitional spaces between indoor and outdoor areas.
