Advantages of Chair Mat for Hardwood Floors
Does your office have a beautiful hardwood floor that you don’t want to ruin with the rolling of office chairs? If so, a chair mat for hardwood floors is precisely what you need. Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for many offices as it adds character and elegance to a room.
However, hardwood floors are not without their disadvantages. One disadvantage is that they become easily damaged from walking or rolling office chairs. The best solution to this problem is to purchase office mats made specifically for hardwood floors.
Now you might be thinking what are the advantages of chair mat for hardwood floors? Well, a chair mat provides a cushion between your office floor and shoes or office chair wheels. It also keeps dirt or debris from entering them. Chair mats are also available in several attractive colors, allowing you to find one that suits your office furniture. Let’s look at the advantages of chair mats for hardwood floors.
Advantages of Chair Mat for Hardwood Floors
Chair mats for hardwood floors come in different shapes, colors, and sizes and are made of different materials. Some of them are famous for their quality including PVC, rubber mats, bamboo chair mats, and tempered glass mats. Each material has its own features and usage but some common advantages of chair mats for hardwood floors include:
Increases office chair mobility
One of the very first things that come with an office chair mat is the increased mobility of chairs. Because of the smooth materials used in them, office chair mats make the office chair glide smoothly on the hardwood flooring. Chair mats control the friction produced between the office chair and the floor, thus letting the chair move easily and freely.
Eliminates slipping chances
Another advantage of purchasing a chair mat for hardwood floors is that it helps reduce the possibility of slipping or sliding on the floor. Having a comfortable cushion between the surface of the floor and your shoes prevents them from slipping when you are navigating around the office. When you are working on a vinyl or wood floor there is a high possibility of slipping when it is not needed so a chair mat can help you to avoid this problem.
Protects the floor
The most obvious advantage of purchasing a chair mat for hardwood floors is how it protects the floor. A chair mat allows you to move your furniture without having to worry about scratching or denting the floor. It also keeps the floor protected from moisture and liquids that could otherwise soak into it. This can also damage your hardwood floor beyond repair if not addressed immediately.
Reduces static electricity
Another advantage of a chair mat is that it can help reduce static electricity that often builds up on the surface of a hardwood floor. Static electricity can cause damage to your office equipment and electronics.
Having a chair mat underneath your chair can help reduce this buildup and prevent it from causing damage to your computer monitor or any other sensitive electronic equipment.
Provides ergonomic solutions
The best chair mats for hardwood floors are designed with ergonomic solutions in mind to ensure that you are not only comfortable, but your back is also healthy. A good chair mat will have a design that follows the contours of your body to allow your spine and joints to be fully supported. Having one of these chair mats is a great investment.
It is important to always keep your office clean and neat as it enhances your productivity, especially with wood floors which are very vulnerable to damage from dust and liquids if not cared for properly. A chair mat is an excellent solution to keeping your wood, vinyl, or laminate office floors protected from the wear and tear caused by everyday use.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Chair Mat
Some of the most common factors that you should keep in mind while purchasing an office chair mat include:
Price
Price is always a great concern when looking for office chair mats. You may find cheaper ones, but it is important to spend a little more for better quality. For instance, glass chair mats are considered excellent for high-traffic floors as they offer the best protection from wear and tear. Hence, glass chair mats are expensive compared to any regular office mat.
Size and shape
Next, you need to ensure that the chair mat that you are going to purchase is the right size and shape. It should be long enough to cover your entire area and not too wide. Often, they are available in mats that have dimensions of 36” x 48” or more.
Material
The material is another aspect that you need to consider before making a final decision on what chair mat you should get. There are many different materials used in creating office chair mats, some of which include PVC, rubber, tempered glass, and bamboo. Materials such as PVC and rubber are generally more affordable and comfortable for most people.
Flooring type
The type of flooring that you have in the office is also very important. Each type of flooring has its own set of requirements. Protecting your floors from dirt and wear and tear is extremely helpful, but unfortunately, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, and carpet all wear away over time. So, before going to purchase a chair mat research what would be the best mat for your floor.
Why are Chair Mats so Expensive?
First, it is important to understand that the quality of your chair mat will determine how long it lasts. When you buy a cheap one, even if it is affordable, you will probably have to replace it in a few months.
This can cost almost as much as buying a more expensive good quality chair mat with high-quality features. For example, an office chair mat made of PVC or rubber is usually very affordable and can be purchased for only a few dollars.
While these mats are low in price, their quality is also low which means that they do not last very long and can become extremely uncomfortable.
What Type of Flooring Needs a Chair Mat?
Even if you don’t have hardwood floors, you still need office chair mats for other flooring types. We all know that, other than hardwood flooring, vinyl floors, and carpets are very much, and you need to consider mats for them as well.
However, you don’t necessarily need a chair mat all the time for hardwood floors. It’s recommended to avoid having a chair mat on hardwood flooring, especially if you have a quality wood floor.
A lot of people are confused that whether you should use these mats or not but technically they could damage your flooring. If you have one of these types of floors, it is best to avoid placing anything on top of it, especially if the items are made from soft materials like rubber or PVC. This is because the softer material can cause indentations in the flooring.
Chair Mat on Vinyl Floor
Yes, vinyl floors can wear out quickly with the constantly rolling office chairs or other equipment. So, using high-quality vinyl chair mats can be helpful in this regard as can use a high-quality chair mat under your chair to prevent your floor.
Though some people still use them thinking that they will remain protected from any moisture and still be able to move around easily as with a hardwood floor. But since it is also made of soft materials, it can easily be damaged by your furniture and other things.
Chair Mat on the Carpet
Yes, you need to choose a mat for carpeted floors as well. Some people think that it is important to use chair mats for both carpet and hardwood floors but this is not true.
The surface of your carpet is soft and plush with fibers that sink down when you put pressure on them. This makes them extremely vulnerable to damage by chair mats and other items.
Carpet chair mats are usually pretty affordable and you can even find some really cheap mats. But it is always better to invest in a high-quality chair mat if you have hardwood or any other flooring material that is sensitive. This will ensure that the mat will last longer and wear evenly over time with normal use.
Last Thoughts!
Even though you may feel that having a floor mat takes away from the attractiveness of your office space, especially the flooring, you shouldn’t drop the idea of getting an office chair mat. Chair mats protect your hardwood floors from the wear and tear of a rolling office chair.
It is recommended that you always keep your wood floors safe with this security mat. We hope this article has helped you choose the best office chair mat for your office.
