I have a Sew/ Fit heavy duty mat that is 40 x 72 and it's 20 years old and still in really good shape. I think keeping them clean is very important to making them last. Also, if I am cutting small pieces for a quilt, I put a smaller mat on top and cut on it. So, I only use the large mat for cutting garments out. I have a custom made cutting table, so this mat just stays on top of it all the time. I love it.