Mats For hardwood floors

I have heard you should not use rubber backed mats for finished hardwood floors.

So what kind of mats do you use in the inside entry of your house?

I've used rubber-backed mats and rugs and not had a problem. What might cause an issue would be any rug of any sort with dirt under it so that the friction would affect the floor's finish.

It also depends on the finish - polyurethane, varnish, wax. I've had all three. We did have a rubber nonslip mat under a large area rug on top of a waxed hardwood floor, and when we removed it when we moved, the rubber somewhat stuck to the floor only to the extent of how a Post-It note sticks to paper, and didn't damage the floor's finish.

I use just a regular rug with no backing (the rug is reversible). However, the rug is picked up, shaken and the floor swept daily. You can get one of those non-skid mesh mats to go under your rug, it keeps the air flowing and your rug won't slide. You still have to pick it up and sweep regularly because the dust and dirt under the rug will grind the finish off your floors.

I am remodeling my kitchen and want to install hardwood floors but am worried about water issues. i have three sons who take turns doing dishes and they don't clean up the water that drips, spills, and pools around the sink when they're cleaning up. Though I'd like them to add wiping up water to their duties, I'm not optimistic that it will become a priority for them. I'm thinking perhaps using rubber mats with non-slip mesh underneath (for breathability in case water seeps beneath the mats) may be an option. Has anyone tried this?

I use rubber back mats and have been for two years...no issue whatsoever

NOFMA (the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association) has this recommendation about area rug mats:

"For rug pads choose 100% non-solvent-based rubber, an untreated natural fiber such as wool or jute, or 1/4" chopped urethane. Do not use sticky or tacky backers; the plasticizers they use can attack and discolor your finish. These same plasticizers can also be present in the backing of some rugs."