Matting

Matting is a term used across several fields to describe a dense, interlaced layer or border formed from fibers, plants, or other materials. In art and framing, matting refers to a border placed around an image inside a frame. In textiles and biology, matting describes the tendency of fibers to become tangled or to aggregate into a compact mass. The concept common to these senses is a separate, flat layer that can be added to or form within a larger object.

In picture framing, a mat is a strip of stiff material, often acid-free mat board, with a window opening that reveals the artwork. The mat creates a pocket between glass and image, provides visual space, and helps protect the work from contact with the glass. Bevel-cut openings, humidity considerations, and archival-quality materials are important for conservation.

In textiles and fur, matting occurs when fibers become tangled or compressed into a dense mat. This can result from moisture, heat, friction, or oil, and is common in wool and hair fibers. Felting, a related process, locks scales together to form a dense fabric. Prevention includes gentle washing, proper grooming of animal fur, conditioning, and proper storage; remedy includes detangling with combs, trimming, or reprocessing.

In ecological contexts, mats can describe dense layers of vegetation or microorganisms, such as algal mats or microbial mats that cover soil or water surfaces. In gardening and landscaping, matting materials—such as weed mats or geotextiles—are used to suppress weed growth and stabilize soils.