The 5 Best Grill Mats for Decks (Protect Your Investment)
Your deck is an investment. Whether it’s beautiful new composite or classic stained wood, it’s the centerpiece of your backyard. Your barbecue grill is the star of the show, but it’s also the biggest threat to your deck’s pristine surface. A single stray ember, a splash of hot grease, or a spill from your best barbecue sauce can create a permanent, ugly stain.
That’s where a good grill mat comes in. This isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it’s one of the must-have BBQ accessories for any responsible griller. A high-quality grill mat slides under your grill and creates a fire-resistant, waterproof, and stain-proof barrier, protecting your deck from all kinds of barbecue-related mishaps.
But not all mats are created equal. Some protect from grease but melt under high heat, while others are fireproof but impossible to clean. We’ve done the research and dug through Amazon to find the 5 best grill mats designed specifically to protect your deck.
Our Top 5 Grill Mats for Decks
In-Depth Reviews of the 5 Best Grill Mats
1.GRILLTEX Under the Grill Mat (Best Overall)
The GRILLTEX mat is a consistent top-seller, and our pick for the best all-around protection. It’s made from a heavy-duty, 100% recycled PVC material that feels more like a durable utility mat than a flimsy sheet. It’s designed to provide a rugged barrier between your grill and your deck.
Deck Protection (Material & Heat)
This mat’s primary function is to protect against spills. The solid, non-porous PVC ensures that no grease, sauce, or marinades will ever soak through to the deck below. It’s completely waterproof. It’s also heat-resistant up to 500°F, which is more than enough to handle the radiant heat from a gas grill and protect the deck from “baking” underneath. However, it is *not* fireproof, so it’s not meant to catch red-hot coals.
Size & Coverage
It comes in multiple sizes, with the 36″ x 60″ being a perfect footprint for most standard 4-burner gas grills, like those in the Weber vs. Napoleon class. It gives you a wide “splatter zone” on all sides. The mat lays flat quickly and has enough weight to it that it doesn’t bunch up or fly away in the wind.
Durability & Cleaning
This is where the GRILLTEX shines. Cleaning is incredibly simple. Because it’s a solid, non-absorbent polymer, you just spray it with a hose. Tough grease? A little soap from your barbecue grill cleaner kit and a light scrub, and it’s good as new. It’s built to last for years, making it a key part of your grill’s maintenance requirements.
Pros
- Heavy-duty, durable PVC material
- Completely waterproof and stain-proof
- Lays flat and stays in place
- Incredibly easy to clean (just hose it off)
Cons
- Heat-resistant, but *not* fireproof
- Not for use with charcoal grills or fire pits
2.Cuisinart Premium Deck and Patio Grill Mat
From a trusted name in grilling, the Cuisinart mat is a premium, heavy-duty option. It’s made from 100% durable PVC, but its standout feature is the weight and texture. At over 10 pounds, this mat is not going *anywhere*, and its textured, non-slip surface provides a stable, safe working area.
Deck Protection (Material & Heat)
Like the GRILLTEX, this is a 100% PVC mat designed to be a total barrier against spills. It’s completely waterproof, so grease and sauce spills will pool on top, not soak through. It’s weather-resistant and can be left out all season. It is heat-resistant, making it safe for the radiant heat of a gas or electric barbecue grill, but it is not fireproof and should not be used with dropped coals.
Size & Coverage
The 65″ x 36″ size is one of the most generous on the market, offering fantastic coverage for both the grill and the pitmaster. This extra width is great for catching errant splatters. The mat’s heavy weight is a significant pro; it unrolls and lays perfectly flat right out of the box, with no curling edges or wind worries.
Durability & Cleaning
This mat is built to last. The thick PVC resists cracking, fading, and breaking down. The non-slip texture is a great bonus, especially on decks that get slippery when wet. Cleaning is as simple as it gets: just spray it down with a garden hose. For tough, caked-on messes, a little dish soap and a light scrub will do the trick. This is a fantastic BBQ gift for Father’s Day.
Pros
- Trusted brand name
- Extremely heavy (10+ lbs) and stays put
- Large 65″ x 36″ size for max coverage
- Durable, non-slip textured finish
Cons
- Higher price point
- Not fireproof for dropped coals
3.Drymate Gas Grill Mat (Best for Absorbency)
The Drymate mat takes a completely different approach. Instead of being a solid polymer barrier, it’s a soft, absorbent mat with a waterproof, non-slip backing. It’s designed to “trap” grease and liquids, so they don’t pool or get tracked around the deck.
Deck Protection (Material & Heat)
The top layer is an absorbent polyester fabric (made from over 50% recycled fibers) that soaks up grease and sauce spills. The magic is in the bonded waterproof backing, which ensures that nothing ever soaks *through* to your deck. This is perfect for messy grillers. It is, however, *not* heat or fire-resistant and is explicitly for use under gas grills, *not* charcoal.
Size & Coverage
These mats are much lighter than PVC models, which can be a con in high-wind areas. However, a huge advantage is that the fabric material can be easily cut with scissors or a utility knife to create a perfect custom fit around deck posts or for a unique grill shape. It looks more like a high-utility “rug” than a plastic mat.
Durability & Cleaning
Cleaning is the biggest difference. You can’t just wipe it clean. It’s designed to be hosed off, scrubbed with soap, or—for a deep clean—even machine-washed on a delicate cycle (and then hung to dry). While it traps grease to prevent it from being tracked, the grease is *in* the mat, so it requires more maintenance to keep it looking clean.
Pros
- Absorbs and traps grease spills
- Waterproof backing stops soak-through
- Can be cut to a custom size
- Soft underfoot and machine washable
Cons
- Can be harder to clean (holds stains)
- Lightweight and can be moved by wind
- Not heat-resistant at all
4.Resilia Heavy Duty PVC Grill Mat
This mat is all about heavy-duty, industrial protection. It’s made from a flexible, thick-gauge PVC vinyl, similar to what you’d find in a commercial garage or workshop. It’s for the griller who wants no-nonsense, rugged, custom-fit protection.
Deck Protection (Material & Heat)
This is an industrial-grade barrier. It’s flame-retardant (which is a step above “resistant” but still *not* “fireproof”) and made from thick, recycled PVC vinyl. It’s perfect for heavy, messy jobs, like under a smoker that can drip grease for hours. **Crucial Note:** The manufacturer warns *not* to use this on new composite decking, as the mat can trap moisture and block UV rays, leading to discoloration. It’s best for wood or older composite decks.
Size & Coverage
The biggest selling point of Resilia mats is that they are often sold in rolls and can be easily cut with a utility knife. This is the ultimate “custom-fit” solution. You can buy a roll to fit a massive Pit Boss or Traeger, or cut it to fit a small patio setup perfectly.
Durability & Cleaning
This is its strongest category. It’s built to withstand chemicals, salt, and heavy use in a garage, so a little barbecue rub and grease is nothing. You can clean it with a hose or any all-purpose cleaner. This mat is designed to last for a decade, not a season.
Pros
- Extremely durable, industrial-grade PVC
- Can be cut to any custom size or shape
- Highly resistant to chemicals and stains
- Flame-retardant for added safety
Cons
- Has a more “industrial” look
- Not recommended for new composite decks
5.Newtex FirePad Deck Protector (Best Fireproof)
If your biggest fear is a red-hot coal from a charcoal grill or a stray ember from a smoker, **this is the only mat on this list you should buy.** The Newtex FirePad is NOT a grease mat; it is a true *fireproof* heat shield, designed to stop burns.
Deck Protection (Material & Heat)
This is a serious piece of safety equipment. It’s made from an aluminized “Z-Block” fabric that can reflect up to 95% of radiant heat. It’s rated to withstand 1,000°F. This mat is designed to catch a red-hot, glowing ember and *not* transfer the heat to your deck, preventing a burn. **Crucial:** It *must* be used with the silver, aluminized side facing *up* toward the heat. It also requires an air gap between the heat source (like the bottom of a fire pit) and the mat.
Size & Coverage
It comes in various sizes, often round, to fit under kettle grills or smokers. It’s not designed to be a massive “splatter” mat, but a targeted “ember-catching” shield. It’s perfect for anyone who uses a charcoal grill. This is, without question, one of the most important safety features you can buy for your deck.
Durability & Cleaning
The trade-off for all this fire protection is cleaning. This mat is *not* absorbent and not really designed for grease. Grease and sauce will stain it. But that’s not its job. Its job is to save your deck from a fire, which it does flawlessly. You can shake it off or sweep it, but its beauty is in its function, not its looks.
Pros
- Truly fireproof, not just resistant
- Can withstand 1,000°F embers
- Reflects 95% of radiant heat
- Essential for charcoal grills on decks
Cons
- Does not absorb grease or spills
- Will stain easily from grease
- Requires silver side to be facing up
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a grill mat on a composite deck?
Yes! In fact, you *should*. Composite decking is durable, but it’s a form of plastic and can be stained by grease or even “baked” and discolored by the high, sustained radiant heat from a grill. A mat (especially a PVC one) is the best protection for composite. **HOWEVER**, be aware of the warning from some manufacturers (like Resilia) that a mat can trap moisture and block UV rays, causing discoloration on *new* composite. It’s best to let a new deck “settle” for a season, or check with your decking manufacturer.
Will a grill mat stop a hot coal from burning my deck?
Only if it is a FIREPROOF mat (like the Newtex). A standard PVC or rubber mat is only heat-*resistant*. A hot coal will melt it in seconds, and the heat can still transfer and burn your deck. Know your grill type! If you use charcoal, you need a fireproof mat.
Can I use one of these mats under my electric barbecue smoker?
Absolutely. An electric smoker or a pellet grill (like in our pellet vs. electric comparison) has a high risk of grease drippings during a long cook. A PVC or absorbent mat is a perfect choice, as your risk of embers is very low.
How do I clean my grill mat?
For PVC/polymer mats, just use a garden hose. For tough, caked-on grease, use a mild barbecue grill cleaner and a soft brush. For fabric mats, you’ll likely need to scrub with soap and water or even put it in the washing machine. For fireproof mats, you just sweep or shake them off.
Final Verdict: Protect Your Deck
A grill mat is a small, smart investment to protect the much larger investment of your deck. The most important choice you can make is matching the mat to your grill type.
For gas grill owners, the GRILLTEX Under the Grill Mat offers the best all-around protection from grease and stains. For charcoal grill owners, the Newtex FirePad is a non-negotiable safety feature.
Choose the mat that matches your grill, and you’ll be able to enjoy your barbecue with complete peace of mind. For more accessory reviews and tips, explore all our guides at BBQGrillAndSmoker.com.