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Types of Foam Mats

A foam mat is one of the most popular types of DIY flooring that we sell at Greatmats. Customers appreciate the versatility they offer, the cushioning they provide, the surprising durability, the great price point, and the ease of installation.

Foam flooring can be thick and soft, or it can be a thin model that delivers firmness for quick movements. We offer rolls, fold-up mats, and individual interlocking foam mats to cover a large space quickly.

Foam Mat Benefits

Foam matting might not be the first selection you think about for a flooring option, but foam mats have so many benefits that they belong on any short list of flooring options you are considering.

• Inexpensive: Some tiles cost less than a dollar a square foot.
  
• No underlayment: Many large foam mats can go directly onto the subfloor.
  
• Creative designs: Foam mats for kids appear in many colors and designs.
  
• Versatility: A large foam mat can fill many different use cases.
  
• Cushioned softness: Thick foam mats keep kids safe should they fall while playing.
  
• Anti-fatigue: Keep athletes' lower body joints fresher during workouts with soft foam tiles.
  
• Easy DIY: A foam puzzle mat goes together quickly with no glue needed.

Use Cases for Foam Puzzle Mats

Foam puzzle mats go together easily, and they don't require glue. They work nicely for a range of residential situations, including:

• Kids' play areas
  
• Home gyms
  
• Bedrooms
  
• Family rooms
  
• Basements
  
• Martial arts training areas
  

They also work in commercial locations, including:

• Trade shows
  
• Martial arts studios
  
• Indoor playgrounds
  
• Daycares
  
• Dog agility courses
  
• Sensory rooms

Use Cases for Foam Folding Mats

Foam folding mats use a vinyl cover that connects the individual segments, offering cushioning and durability. Spread the sections flat to cover a large area or fold the sections for storage or to create a thicker padding. In residential areas, use them in:

• Kids' play areas
  
• Fitness areas
  
• Home gyms
  
• Martial arts training areas
  
• Wrestling training areas

Use fold-up mats in commercial locations including:

• Gymnastics studios
  
• Cheerleading studios
  
• Schools
  
• Sensory rooms

Use Cases for Foam Roll Out Mats

Foam roll out mats typically have a carpet or vinyl top with a segmented foam base that provides cushioning. Use cases for roll out foam mats in residential areas include:

• Home cheer practice
  
• Kids' play areas
  
• Martial arts training areas
  
• Wrestling training areas
  

For commercial locations, use roll-up foam mats in:

• Martial arts studios
  
• Gymnastics studios
  
• Cheerleading studios
  
• Indoor playgrounds
  
• Schools

Foam Mat Q&A

What are the best foam home gym floor mats?

We have many units that are great for exercise mat workouts at home, providing safer surfaces for children and adults to practice impact activities. You can use the best foam home gym floor mats for cheer, tumbling, or martial arts training. Vinyl-covered folding gym mats are made of cross-linked polyethylene foam for durability and longevity.

What thickness does foam flooring come in?

At Greatmats, we offer foam tiles, mats, rolls, and wall padding in a wide range of thickness options. Thinner tiles usually are cheaper than thicker tiles, but they don't offer quite the same level of cushioning. Rolls and mats have a softer type of cushioning, while tiles are firmer, while still offering a bit of cushioning. Options include:

• 3/8 inches (or 10 mm): Tiles
  
• 7/16 inches: Tiles
  
• 1/2 inches: Tiles
  
• 5/8 inches: Tiles
  
• 3/4 inches (or 20 mm): Tiles
  
• 1 inch: Tiles or mats
  
• 1-1/4 inches: Rolls
  
• 1-3/8 inches: Rolls or mats
  
• 1-1/2 inches: Rolls, tiles, or mats
  
• 2 inches: Rolls, wall padding, or mats
  
• 2-1/2 inches: Mats
  
• 3 inches: Wall padding
  
• 4 inches: Mats
  
• 8 inches: Mats
  
• 12 inches: Mats

Is EVA foam good for home gym flooring?

Foam EVA tiles work well for home gyms. They have cushioning properties that are perfect for keeping you safe and feeling fresher after hard workouts. They are not suitable for barbells, heavy weights, or large pieces of workout equipment, as the foam can crush down under heavy weights.

Can foam mats be used outside?

Only use them for a permanent outdoor installation if they're protected with strong vinyl. For outdoor installations at stadiums and ballfields, for example, we have outdoor-rated foam padding options for walls. You also can use foam EVA puzzle mats for temporary outdoor flooring in certain circumstances.