How to Choose Office Chair Mats to Protect the Floor

Last Updated on April 2, 2024

Choosing office chair mats is an important consideration for any office environment. A quality office chair mat helps protect your office floor from accidental damage and improves your comfort and productivity while you work. Factors to consider when choosing an office chair mat include the material of the mat, its size and thickness, and the texture and design of the surface. Ultimately, your goal should be to select an office chair mat that will provide both protection and support, allowing you to work comfortably and efficiently, whether on hardwood floors or other types of office floors.

With their rolling wheels, even the most incredible chairs can cause harm to your floors. Hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors are vulnerable to permanent scratching and damage. At the same time, carpets can get snagged or distorted, especially if your desk and office chair remain in the same location throughout your ownership.

The floor under a wheeled chair is subjected to wear and tear without chair mats. A chair rolls back and forth across the same little area for several hours each day, ripping through the floor underneath it. The floor beneath an office chair can be ruined in a short amount of time, which is why we recommend office chair mats.

Let’s upgrade your office. Read on to learn more about floor mats.

Buying guide for office chair mats:

Remember these elements when choosing the perfect office chair mat for you and your workplace or home area.

Mat Construction and Material

When looking for the best floor mat for your office chair, choose one that is thick and robust in structure. Make sure the mat you choose is precisely intended for the type of floor in your business and its thickness. The same mat for a carpeted surface may not be suitable for hardwood floors.

Generally speaking, the chair mat thickness for the hard floor is 1/8″, and for the carpeted floor, it varies between 1/8″and 3/16″, depending on the height of the carpet’s file. A too-thin chair mat will cause cleats, while a too-thick one will develop a divot or dent that makes the chair hard to move around on.

The three main office chair floor mats are polycarbonate, PVC, and tempered glass. PVC mats are too pliable. They tend to warp, fold, and bubble with moderate use. We recommend polycarbonate-made and tempered glass-made mats for the best user experience.

The most commonly used chair mat is PVC vinyl, much cheaper than polycarbonate and tempered glass. But it isn’t quite suitable for the home office because it is prone to be wrapped and slid easily with the chair due to its less rigid surface and lightweight nature.

Polycarbonate-made mats are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional vinyl (PVC) chair mats. Their greater advantage over vinyl mats is their rigid surface, which makes it easy for desk chairs to roll back and forth. The downside of the polycarbonate-made mat is that it can crack with too much pressure, as it is not designed to flex. It is recommended that polycarbonate mats be used on a hard surface and lower-pile carpet.

The tempered glass chair mat is durable and doesn’t have a chair sink or cause any deformation. It has a smoother rolling experience than the other two types of chair mats. For some people, it may be a little bit slick. It all depends on your preferences. It fits a hardwood floor as well as a carpeted floor.

Size

Next, double-check the mat’s dimensions. While there are no exact measurements for the optimal size for an office chair mat, you must ensure it is the correct size for your workplace. Office chair mats are frequently positioned with a section under the desk, making it simpler to move around while working at your computer and office desk.

Price

The most commonly used chair mat is PVC vinyl, much cheaper than polycarbonate and tempered glass. The tempered glass chair mat is the most expensive one.

While higher prices usually mean better quality, this isn’t always true. A floor mat for office chairs may be made of various materials, which affects the entire price, so study reviews and choose one that meets your needs.

SHAREWIN Office Chair Mat for Hard Floors

Amazon

How do office chair mats improve interior decor?

Here are the finest office chair mats to help your day go more smoothly and avoid scratches, spills, and other damage to your flooring.

Improve Safety

The freedom of movement might also improve your chair’s overall safety. If the carpet is too thick or the wooden surface is too slick, the chance of falling or the chair becoming trapped and tumbling over is considerably increased. A desk chair mat ensures that your office chair glides around your workstation securely. Mats with more grip are less likely to slip, trip, or fall. According to the National Safety Council, 697 employees died in the United States in 2016 due to a workplace slip, trip, or fall. All these accidents are avoidable using proper floor safety, including floor mats. Consider it momentarily, and then choose the ones that suit your office decor.

Polyethylene Transparent Office Chair Mat

Amazon

Smooth Movement

An office chair mat for carpets can help you move more smoothly and easily, reducing the pressure and energy you use to move. Moving around freely without encountering needless friction is critical when you spend hours at your desk.

Floortex Ultimat® Polycarbonate Chair Mat for Carpets

HomeDepot

Lorell Tempered Glass Chair Mat

Amazon

Enhances Office Appearance

The carpet covers most office spaces. Rolling chairs make the flooring weary and ramshackle. Adding an office floor mat to your workspace, whether at home or work, may dramatically keep the whole flooring intact and help maintain a sense of order and cleanliness. It will help you feel tidier and more organized.

Protect the Floor

The most significant benefit of using an office chair mat is that it may help protect the ground beneath your desk. You make hundreds of motions in your office chair daily, ranging from minor tweaks to more great slides. These motions might lead to your hardwood floors or carpet deterioration over time. The floor might get discolored and scratched when the wheels are moved repeatedly. A mat will safeguard your original flooring from wear and tear.

This article will help you learn more about office chair floor mats. Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on home products. Enjoy working in your office or home, but remember to take frequent breaks. Stay Safe!