Where would the office be without office chairs? They are as essential as it gets when kitting out an office space and ensuring everyone can be comfortable and productive at all times. Companies invest significant portions of their budget to get the best models, with ergonomic features and full maneuverability. The problem is that all that gliding around on the floor can cause damage. Presuming you've given up on old, dirty carpeted floors and have something smooth and attractive, you're now running the risk of dents, scratches, and other cosmetic damage. So, what's the solution? How do you keep your employees productive and mobile while protecting your floor?

 

How To Prevent Damage From Office Chairs

One option is to go for a pad or cushion that fits onto the legs of the chairs. This is easy with stationary chairs. The little pads fit over the feet to stop any scratches and dents as the chair moves. You can get soft felt pads or silicone cups that fit more easily over the leg of the chair. They are pretty cheap to buy in packs, which is great for kitting out a whole office and should last fairly well. The problem comes with adding pads and protectors to office chairs with casters on them.

There are products out there that promise to be effective. The little felt covers slip over the wheels, so there isn't any contact between the plastic caster and the hard floor. However, there's an obvious drawback here. You no longer have the maneuverability that you would want from the office chair. If you can't push your chair back as you leave your desk or glide over to a printer or other workstation, what's the point of having a chair with casters? As great as these little protectors sound at first, they're not that practical. So, what's the alternative?

 

Protective Chair Mats For Office Floors

The best option is to get a mat that provides a protective surface between the hard floor and the chair. There are no immediate restrictions on the mobility of the office chair, and you can ensure the floor doesn't sustain those scrapes and dents. There are three options for materials you can use, and each has its pros and cons.

 

Fabric Rugs

This one stands out if you're working from a home office and trying to create a nice personalized office space. Commercial office spaces may struggle to make this option work. Fabric rugs add a lot of character to a room, with so many different colors, prints, and styles to choose from. You could have something with a short pile and a bold print that matches your decor or a fandom. You could make the room more cozy with something a lot fluffier. You can also get them in whatever size fits best. While these rugs are great for home office decor and can be very protective, they aren't always the most practical choice. Caster wheels don't glide as well on rugs as on smooth surfaces, so that might get frustrating. There's also the risk of longer piles getting caught up in the wheels. Add in the maintenance of vacuuming and cleaning these rugs, and it can get a bit annoying.

 

Plastic/Silicone mats

The next option is to try a plastic or silicone mat instead. There are some definite practical advantages to this option. The structure of the mat provides a strong adhesive effect, so it's not going to slip on a hard floor. It should stay in place much more easily than the rugs unless you have some form of adhesive on the back of the rug. The smooth finish should also mean there's more mobility for the chair. It's not going to get caught up in the same way as on a fabric rug. You can also do all this with something that is still pleasing to the eye. These mats aren't as attractive as the best rugs because they won't have the same texture, patterns, and saturation of color. But you can still find different colors and styles to suit the space. A simple, clear plastic mat is ideal for commercial spaces where you don't want the floor protection to be immediately visible.

The downside to these mats is durability. They can become scuffed and worn with time. Long-time use in commercial spaces could see them getting discolored and tatty before too long. More high-end models with tougher materials might last a little longer. At that point, though, it might be worth considering the final high-end option.

 

Glass mats

This final option might sound a little extreme and impractical at first, but converts are keen to recommend them to other office workers. The idea here is that instead of having a clear plastic mat that will get damaged and discolored, you have a stronger glass office chair floor protector that isn't susceptible to the same sort of damage. An understandable concern here is that glass is more breakable if it's put under pressure. It's also much more expensive. However, the best products are strong and built to last. You can enjoy the benefits of a glass mat in your home office or executive office and find it more cost-effective long-term.

These mats don't just look great for long periods. They are also highly effective floor protectors. The structure means there's no risk of indentations forming, which could eventually compromise the floor. The smooth surface also makes the chairs much more mobile than they would be on the other options, where there's a lot more traction. The best designers even add beveled edges, so there's no risk of the chair dropping off the side.

 

Protect Your Office Floors Today

It doesn't matter whether you're a company looking to protect a large-scale office space or a work-from-home freelancer trying to keep their office at its best. There is a solution out there. A fabric rug has its charms in a home office, and the silicone mats are cost-effective for multiple employees. Still, there are few options more effective than glass if you want something protective, and attractive that doesn't impede mobility. Check out some of the brands online and see what you think.