Selecting a floor mat for an office chair is one of the most crucial decisions you can make regarding ergonomics. Not only will it reduce fatigue and pain, but it makes moving around in your chair much easier without damaging the flooring beneath. Furthermore, selecting an appropriate mat helps maintain office furniture and keep spaces looking neat and tidy.
The Initial Step: Selecting the Ideal Materials
Chair mats come in a range of materials, such as tempered glass, plastic, rubber or PVC. Plus you have your pick of colors and sizes to match any office decor.
Selecting the ideal office mat like the Ultimate Mats for your floor requires consideration of several elements, including flooring type and backing. Furthermore, size, thickness and edging must be taken into account when making your decision.
Flooring Type/Backing
If your floors are made up of hard materials like tile, hardwoods or concrete, use a mat with a smooth back. Not only does this reduce scratching and damage beneath but it will also keep office chairs from sliding around.
Chair mats come in a range of shapes and sizes to match any floor type. From rectangular to lipped, workstation to contour mats – you have the freedom to pick what shape best suits your needs! If desired, custom orders can also be placed for special shapes.
Pile Height
Carpets and area rugs come in various pile heights, which refers to their fluffiness. High-pile carpets are thick and plush, while low-pile ones are thin but durable. When selecting a chair mat for your office chairs and underlayment, make sure it’s thick enough to support their weight as well as any office chairs used alongside it.
To determine carpet thickness, push a pin firmly into your carpet until you can’t go any further. Then measure the distance between these points.
Once you know the thickness of your carpet, compare it to the thickness of an office mat to determine which type will work best with it.
For hard surfaces, desk mats with a smooth back are the best solution. Not only are these mats easy to clean and won’t scratch or damage your floors, but they are also easy to transport.
No matter if your office has hardwood or tile flooring, using a desk mat is recommended to protect the surface from damage caused by chair casters. Doing so will keep your office furniture and floors looking new for years to come.
Read More:
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- How to Select a Doormat According to Your needs?
- How to Properly Clean Your Hardwood Floors
Studded/Non-Studded Chair Mats
When shopping for chair mats, two common options are studded and non-studded. The former features small nubs or anchors on the underside that grip carpet fibers to prevent them from shifting around.
In addition to this feature, some carpet mats feature an extended lip that sits underneath the desk and shields the floor beneath from chair casters. This extra protection helps keep your carpet from wearing down or ripping and it can also protect your office chair’s front wheel from being scratched or marked.
In addition to these features, a good mat for an office chair should have a lip that rests beneath the desk and shields carpet from front-most wheels. This lip also helps avoid scrapes against top of desk that could cause scratches to surfaces.
