Guide to Office Chair Mats Basics

Consider different materials when you're in the market for an office chair floor mat

By M. Krasniak, Freelance Writer/Editor

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Get the job done simply with a vinyl office chair mat

Plastic or vinyl computer chair mats are the most common type of chair mats found in offices today. They come in all shapes and sizes and you can even order a custom chair mat when your room or desk dimensions are not a standard shape or size.

I recommend: The Office World website has as great selection of chair mats, like this clear vinyl chair mat for standard pile carpet. Advance Chairmats carries a large number of chair mats made from all different grades of vinyl.

Think about wooden chair mats as a stylish alternative to plastic

Wooden chair mats are more stylish than their plastic counterparts are. They come in different styles such as hardwood or parquet. These wood chair mats combine the beauty of a gleaming hardwood floor with the functionality of a chair mat to give your office carpet a stylish makeover.

I recommend: Chairmatsusa.com is a great place to start when you are looking for quality wood or wood-like chair mats. Consider the American Floor Mats website when you are in the market for new wooden chair mats.

Leave the electricity behind with anti-static chair mats

If electrical charges are a concern in your office, then protect your computers and other electronic equipment with an anti-static office chair mat. These mats are made out of rubber and other non-conducting materials that absorb electrical charges before they reach and destroy your sensitive electronic equipment.

I recommend: Check out Chair-Mats.com for anti-static chair mats. They have many varieties and sizes to choose from. The Mat Store has many different sizes and styles of anti-static chair mats. You are sure to find the right one for your needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is a good idea to test out a few different kinds before purchasing a business chair mat to ensure that the one that you choose works well with your existing flooring before buying new mats for the entire office.

1. An office chair mat helps prevent wear patterns from rolling chairs.
2. Office chair mats protect flooring from stains like coffee, soda and mud.
3. Computer chair mats neutralize static electricity for safer use of electronics.
4. Mats make it easier for employees to roll in their office chairs from one area of their desks to another.

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Purchase a business chair mat style for the type of flooring you have

Want to protect a hardwood floor? With today's options, you can protect just about any type of flooring. The older styles of chair mats often had 'studs' on the bottom. While these worked fine for carpeted floors, they couldn't be used on wood or cement flooring. New 'studless' mats protect non-carpeted floors and keep them looking great.

I recommend: Search Eldon's office chair mats depending on the type of flooring you have in your office. Buy an anti-static floor mat for computer work stations to help protect your valuable equipment. Office Depot and other retailers often carry chair mats for different pile carpeting.

Choose an office furniture mat in a shape that fits the desk area

Different shaped chair mats allow you to fit an office chair mat into a tight space or various desk alignments. Along with varying sized rectangle mats, you can also find beaker, round and modular shaped mats. These can be great options for L-shaped desks or small areas where a rectangle just won't fit.

I recommend: Designer oval office chair mats give a modern look to your office. Can’t find the size you want? You can custom order an office chair mat for your office.

Buy a durable, high-quality office chair mat

If you're thinking that a chair mat is a chair mat, you need to reconsider. Not all office chair mats are created equal and you're better off buying durable ones right from the start rather than having to replace them multiple times over the next months and years. Although the lower price may entice you, consider the durability that you'll be getting and weigh the options.

I recommend: Compare traditional mats to Glassmats, which offers a lifetime guarantee against cracks and tears. Chair Mats and More also offers a lifetime guarantee for their floor mats under regular use. Try beautiful wood chair mats for added durability.

Look for attractive options like wooden chair mats

Gone are the days when all you had to choose from were plastic mats that grabbed attention. Today, you can order custom wood chair mats or nearly invisible vinyl mats that allow the flooring underneath to show through. Rather than have an office chair mat eyesore, go for an attractive addition to your office space.

I recommend: Go eco-friendly with a recycled resin or bamboo office chair mat. Bizchair has a number of beautiful wood designs in different shapes (as well as free shipping). The Mat Store has not only wood laminate chair mats but also ones in various colors and faux finishes. You can also find graphic floor mats to add a splash of color to your office.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Leave plenty of space around walls and furniture when you measure for office chair mats. This will ensure a better fit and look.

Guide to Pricing and Costs of Office Chair Mats

Office chair mats come in a wide range of materials and prices

By M. Krasniak, Freelance Writer/Editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bring style to your office floor with beautiful wooden chair mats

For those executives who prefer a more refined look, there are wood chair mats available in many colors and wood grains. These chair mats add to the decor of the office, but expect to pay a bit more for these items than you would for the typical vinyl ones. Depending on the manufacturer, wooden chair mats come either in wood laminates or in real wood options like bamboo. The real wood mats are the most expensive.

I recommend: The Everything Furniture website has beautiful wood office mats in many different colors that range in price from around $125.00 to about $250.00. SuccessImage.com carries a large selection of virtually indestructible wood laminate chair mats in prices that range from about $185.00 up to about $250.00.

Save your pennies and settle for a vinyl office chair mat

A vinyl office chair mat is the most common and economical chair mat on the market. These mats are durable and come in many shapes and sizes. Many stores will create a custom chair mat for you for those hard-to-fit floors and desks. Vinyl chair mats also come in heavy-duty options. While these products are more expensive than the 'regular' vinyl chair mat, they are perfect for heavy office furniture or areas where there is a lot of foot traffic.

I recommend: The Quill website features vinyl mats such as these cleated chair mats that range in price from around $45.00 up to around $70.00. The Modern Office website carries these heavy-duty vinyl chair mats that range in price from about $80.00 up to about $110 with volume discounts available.

Stay 'grounded' by using anti-static computer chair mats

When employee and equipment safety is a concern, then the best option to take care of both worries is by purchasing an anti-static office chair mat. These mats dissipate static charges before they reach computer equipment. Because of this, anti-static computer chair mats are often the most expensive chair pads available. The money you will save by protecting your computer equipment from damage will be well worth the initial expense.

I recommend: Businesschairs.com has multi-purpose anti-static chair mats in a variety of sizes with their prices ranging from about $160.00 up to about $350.00 Chairmat.net has high quality anti-static floor mats that cost from about $150.00 up to around $400.00.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking into the pricing and costs of office chair mats, consider purchasing a few extra to keep in storage for when new employees come on board, or if someone needs a new chair mat. Many companies offer volume discounts, so the higher the quantity you buy now, the lower the price will be overall.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Office chair mats

Office chair mats are placed under office chairs to protect office flooring and to provide a smooth surface for chairs that have wheels or casters.

I recommend: OnTimeSupplies.com has a guide to office chair mats, including a definition of chair mats and an explanation of how to select a shape for your mat.

Bamboo office chair mats

Bamboo office chair mats are mats made from bamboo, a renewable resource. These mats are considered environmentally friendly and provide a hard surface under the chair.

I recommend: The Hatch Report provides a description of bamboo office chair mats, including their benefits and drawbacks.

Vinyl office chair mats

Vinyl office chair mats tend to be the most common chair mats used in offices because they are economical and effective in protecting floor surfaces.

I recommend: OfficeChairAdvice offers a detailed explanation of vinyl office chair mats and includes a photo of a standard vinyl mat.

Acrylic office chair mats

Acrylic office chair mats are made of processed acrylic and provide a smooth surface for chairs, as well as a hard surface that will not dent. Acrylic office chair mats are among the toughest mats available and are ideal for heavy use.

I recommend: The Mat King explains what acrylic office chair mats are, how they are made and how they can be cared for so that they last longer.

Anti-static office chair mats

Anti-static office chair mats are vinyl mats made specifically from materials that repel electrical charges. They are often used on carpet floors to prevent electrical shocks and in offices that use sensitive electrical or computer equipment.

I recommend: Absolute Chair Mats provides a photo of anti-static mats, as well as a list of features these mats have.

Parquet office chair mats

Parquet office chair mats are mats made from small pieces of veneer wood that has been arranged into geometrical patterns. These mats are attractive and provide a smooth surface for office chairs.

I recommend: Chair-Mats.com has a useful guide explaining what parquet office chair mats are.