Chair Mats

The right chair mat can make or break an office, not to mention your flooring. They also keep you safe in an office environment.

Chair Mat Functionality

There is no object more common to the work place than the office chair. Everyone uses one. But for a chair to function properly, it needs a proper mat. A well selected mat serves several purposes. Perhaps most importantly, they reduce injury and fatigue. If you sit in an office chair for the duration of an eight hour work day, then over that time you move your chair in making hundreds of adjustments and movements. These may seem like minor distances, however, without a chair mat it might require up to twice the muscular effort.

Chair mats allow office chairs to roll more smoothly and function as an ergonomic tool to reduce the risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries to the lower back, knees, and ankles. Older wheels, and wheels not intended for use on carpeted surfaces, can also snag and come to sudden stops on rugs. Chair mats safeguard against injuries and falls which may be caused by these jerking stops.

Of course, chair mats also protect your rug or flooring from wear. While newer, denser commercial grade carpets will also allow a chair to roll, the carpet fibers aren't designed to withstand the pressure and friction of wheel casters. Such wear will shorten the lifespan of any carpet. A chair mat absorbs and spreads this pressure to prevent damage. Likewise, chair mats protect hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors from excessive wear and caster scuffs and mars.

Chair Mat Shapes and Styles

Chair mats can found in an assortment of geometric shapes to fill the work area you plan to use, even if you have a U-shaped or L-shaped desk.

Circular and custom shapes can also be ordered.

Transparent mats allow floor tones and textures to appear consistent, while also hiding any scuffs that may occur on the mat itself.

Oak and cherry solid one-piece mats are available for executive desks.

Anti-static mats offer protection in laboratory and electrical environments, and padded anti-fatigue mats can be used where workers may do a lot of standing, such as in security and receptionist areas.

Selecting a Chair Mat

In buying a mat, choose a thicker mat over a thinner one, and look for mats with beveled edges that you can roll on and off safely. Measure the space in which you will be using it, and also consider the width of the space under your desk or workstation, the size of your chair base, and the range of your chair motion. If you use a chair mat over thick, padded or plush carpeting, it should be thicker than those used on harder surfaces.

By Doug Vanisky