An industrial mat that includes a core construction that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, with the core construction including various layers or plies of components at least some of which are typically made of wood or engineered wood; and a durable skin that surrounds and encapsulates at least the wood components of the mat or the entire core construction. The skin has a thickness sufficient to provide environmental resistance to the wood components or to the core construction to which it is applied. The skin also provides abrasion resistance to the boards and mat.