Whether you just bought a new car or the floor mats in your current vehicle are wearing out and need to be replaced, you are likely aware there are two distinctive types of automotive floor mats available for your vehicle: Carpet and Rubber/Thermoplastic. 

Car floor mats are a quick and simple upgrade to your new or used vehicle while also serving an important function to protect your vehicle interior, so it is a good idea to think of your car mats as an investment. The car mats you pick should not only meet your functional needs but should also look good in your car because they are an inexpensive way to customize the look for your vehicle.

Here are our top three talking points when it comes to the all important question: carpet car mats vs. thermoplastic mats. Check out our thoughts and share your own opinions below. 

Carpet Mats Add Comfort, Personalization and Style 

Carpet floor mats are the best option if you’re looking for design, comfort and protection. Carpet floor mats come in a wide range of colors and style, and at GGBailey, we can even customize your car mats with embroidery or logos when you use our Design Your Car Mats™ option. 

We offer many different colors when you custom design your own car mat, but if you prefer a pattern then you can choose one of the five options of our Car Couture™ line. There you can choose from animal woven designs like zebra and leopard and two colors of oriental patterns. 

Thermoplastic mats are typically offered in three or four colors and cannot be personalized or designed by the customer. It can be tricky to get a close match if you are concerned about the way they look, and you should make sure you are buying something made with quality materials so you don't have to worry about fading. What the plastic mats lack in style they aim to make up for with protection.

GG BAILEY's proprietary automotive backing will not only protect your vehicle's carpet but will also help keep the floor mat in place. It's an OEM quality backing reserved for only the best brands. 

All Weather Offers Good Protection

Rubber or Thermoplastic floor mats are good for all-weather protection because they are tough enough to keep mud and dirt off your carpets. Unfortunately, they don't hide the material you drag in on your shoes. The dirt and debris will sit on top of the mat until you clean them again, so you could still get it on your shoes.

Most manufacturers produce their liners with raised ridges or diamond patterns to help channel water, snow, mud, or any other moisture away from where your feet normally rest, which creates areas for that debris to become lodged. That material can also build up over time if you don't care for your mats. 

It's also important to note that top quality carpet offers excellent protection too. Our carpet car mats are made of the strongest, most durable and trouble-free carpet fibers available today. We design our own carpet to resist mold, mildew and wear, and when you Design Your Car Mats™ you can add an optional heelpad to create an extra layer of protection against wear on the exact spot where your carpet mats will see the most action. 

The patterns of our thicker, luxury quality Car Couture™ carpet will absorb water and actively hide dirt and debris in between vacuums. It works so well that we also make home mats that can be used in the entry way of your home. Many of our customers use those mats as their winter mats because they protect your vehicle interior while being safe and look great. 

Personalize with Carpet Mats

One of the best features of carpet car mats is the ability to customize the look of your mat. There are only four steps, but thousands of possible design combinations when you Design Your Car Mats™ with GGBAILEY.com. You get to pick one of 10 carpet colors, 41 edging options, 19 heelpad colors and two shapes, and then personalize it however you see fit. We can add a traditional or single letter monogram to your car mat, add your initials, or any name or custom message up to 10 characters (including spaces) long.