Ronick Matting Systems provides aluminum entrance mats for a multitude of trades/establishments, including corporate centers, business parks, commercial districts, office buildings, and even corporate towers. Aluminum entrance mats are custom fabricated to precise specifications and are designed to help keep your facility clean and safe by minimizing the amount of dirt and debris tracked inside.
Installation of a replacement entrance matting system at all five(5) building entrances and within the lobby of a corporate office tower in downtown St. Paul, MN.
This 17-story skyscraper stands 330 feet tall and has been a part of the historic St. Paul Skyline since 1991. The building has over 484,500 square feet of office, data center and common area space. Additional amenities include a large cafeteria, on-site daycare, under-the-building parking and access to the complex fitness center and it is home to over 6 corporations, 1 of which is a fortune 500 company and has over 30,000 team members.
The lobby matting system is comprised of 15 equally sized mat sections spanning 15 feet wide by 28 feet in length (heavy-duty carpet). The five (5) entrances each feature mats measuring 4 feet by 3 feet each (exterior brush).
The heavy-duty BaseTread was selected for its exception strength and durability, capable of supporting up to 1,000 pounds per wheel load. With a 3/4"depth, it is designed to withstand heavy pedestrian and wheeled traffic while effectively blocking dirt, debris, mud, snow, and ice melt from entering the building. Its durable aluminum framework ensures long-term structural stability, and the flexible vinyl hinge allows sections to be easily rolled up for convenient maintenance and cleaning.
The mat chosen for the installation was the BaseTread 500, due to its convenient roll-up design and dirt trapping capabilities, wheel load capacity, and it is ADA compliant for heavy foot and wheeled traffic. The customer also opted for smaller sections, opposed to one (1) large mat for easier maintenance for this project.
For this installation there was an existing perimeter frame, made for a deeper product that was 1-3/4” in depth, so additional interior grid framing was needed and the recess height needed to be adjusted to 3/4".
Estimated Installation Time: 34 hours with 2 people broken up over different stages. It is recommended to install during off-peak hours when minimal customers will be impacted.
The installation for this project was completed in stages.
Stage 1: 8 hours Removal and disposal of the existing entrance grids — (2) team members for 4 hours each= 8 hours. The grids were cut in half for easier removal, then loaded for disposal. The recess was then swept to remove dirt and debris and then mopped with a diluted vinegar solution to neutralize any salt buildup on the substrate.
Stage 2: 10 hours Installation of the self-leveler to raise the recess from 1-1/2" to 3/4" to match the height requirements of the updated matting system — (2) team members for 5 hours each = 10 hours. This included delivery of the self-leveler, equipment setup, and mixing time. The material was mixed in batches, poured, and leveled. Dry time was approximately 8–10 hours (walkable), and the entrance was closed over the weekend to allow proper curing.
Stage 3: 16 hours Installation of the new aluminum entrance matting system — (2) team members for about 8 hours each = 16 hours. Most of this time was spent installing the perimeter frame for each mat section- framing was secured with tapcons / masonry screws. Interior grid framing was installed between the existing outer framing. The individual sections were then installed between framing sections. Smaller sections were requested for easier future maintenance and a higher wheel load capacity.
Total labor time: 34 hours
In Minnesota entrance mats may be exposed to snow, salt, and other harsh/destructive materials. For this project a clear anodized finish was selected instead of a natural mill finish to provide an extra layer of protection that is both scratch and corrosion-resistant. The clear anodized finish is created through an electrochemically treated process, forming a durable, smooth satin layer that enhances longevity and performance.
The carpet inserts for this commercial tower were chosen to enhance slip resistance at all entrances while improving the overall efficiency of the lobby entrance mat system. Two types of inserts, in the same color, were specified for this property: heavy-duty carpet for the lobby and exterior brush carpet inserts for the five (5) building entrances. The selected inset color is 90%black and 10% gray, designed to help conceal dirt, salt, and debris tracked in from outdoors.
MonoTuft Heavy duty carpet inserts are a blend of nylon and polypropylene, with monofilament fibers. They have a forceful brush action that removes salt, and debris from the bottoms of shoes and absorbs moisture concurrently. Perforations in this mat system allow dirt, debris, and moisture to collect in the recess future cleaning. (lobby)
The exterior brush carpet inserts are more aggressive at scraping larger debris such as snow and dirt from the bottoms of shoes than heavy-duty carpet inserts making this insert type the ideal solution for entrances in contact with the elements. The vigorous brushing action prevents debris from entering the facility. Moreover, these carpet fibers are manufactured to absorb moisture instantly, blocking water from being tracked indoors. (5 entrances)
46 pounds of dirt was retained annually in the recess well, in total, for the 5 entrances and the lobby of this commercial building tower.
According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Having an entrance mat reduces the amount of dirt and debris tracked into a facility by 75% - 90% fora mat 15-25 ft in length. The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) approximates savings of roughly $600 in maintenance costs for every pound of dirt stopped from entering a facility.
6 entrance matting systems + 17 stories + 484,500 square feet = 46 pounds of dirt collected annually.
In large corporate buildings safety and cleanliness are essential, especially when it comes to entrance areas and lobbies with an array of patrons with an assortment of footwear to meet the demands of a prominent commercial tower.
One solution that meets these needs is the BaseTread 500, a durable, ADA compliant, slip-resistant matting system specifically designed for high-traffic areas.
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