How to Keep Chair Mat from Sliding on Hardwood Floors?
Chair mats look aesthetically and comfort your feet when sitting on the chair. Moreover, they preserve your flooring from scratches under your chair. But one annoying thing about these chair mats is that they keep sliding on the hardwood flooring, creating inconvenience.
That’s why you may be wondering about the ways to keep a chair mat so that you can keep it aesthetically and comfortably. Several ways, like mat grippers, double-sided mat taps, hot glue, and more, can help keep the chair mats in place. In this guide, we will discover different ways to learn how to keep chair mat from sliding on hardwood floor. So, let’s start!
Why Chair Mat Slide on Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors look elegant due to their smooth and shiny finish. But at the same time, they are slippery as they have fewer friction capabilities, making it difficult to secure their mats on hardwood surfaces.
Usually, people use mats to protect their flooring from scratches and stains, especially in places with higher foot traffic. When you put a chair mat, it may move gradually due to the constant movement and pressure you may apply while walking. Heavy foot traffic and pressure lead chair mats to an unstable seating experience.
One of the most common reasons behind the sliding chair mats on hard floors is the lack of friction. The hardwood floor’s resistant quality is less, leading to the sliding chair mats. To avoid this issue, you can use various techniques and gadgets to avoid the issue so that you can enjoy a stable workspace.
Types of Chair Mats for Hardwood Floors
Chair mats bring comfort and look great, but the right type of mat is essential according to the floor to avoid sliding. Here are two types of chair mats for hardwood floors that you can use to avoid mat sliding.
Carpet Surfaced Mats
Carpet surface mats are best for hardwood floors due to their carpeted top surface. This type of mat has layers of carpeting that offer a comfortable and cushioned surface for your feet.
It is a great choice to prevent your hardwood floor from wear and tear. It helps to absorb most of the friction impact from the chair’s feet or wheels. These mats are the best choice for soft and comfortable foot surfaces.
PVC Mats
PVC mats are another choice that you can choose as chair mats. It is also perfect for protecting your hardwood floorings. They have a durable and transparent PVC material that will protect the floors without affecting your home’s aesthetics.
PVC mats are also known for their durability and are an excellent option for areas with high foot traffic. It can handle wear and tear and stand for the high pressure and movement of chairs.
Best Ways to Prevent Chair Mat from Sliding on Hardwood Floors
Chair mats keep sliding due to high foot traffic, pressure, and less friction on hardwood floors, creating inconvenience. Fortunately, using different techniques and tools, you can prevent chair mats from sliding on hardwood floors. Here are some methods that you can use to avoid the issue.
Anti-Slip Rug Grippers
The Anti-slip grippers are among the most popular solutions for sliding chair mats. These are designed to create friction between the mat and floor to keep it in place without sliding.
They have silicon built with adhesive material to keep your mats in place. Moreover, the adhesive material will not impact the hardwood floors from any damage. It will not create any bump on the floor to avoid any inconvenience.
Double Sided Carpet Tapes
Another way to keep chair mats from sliding is the double-sided carpet tape. The tape has a strong adhesive material on both sides, providing a strong grip on the mat on the surface.
One side of the tape will stick to the surface and the other to the carpet, and keep it in place even if you sit on your chair. It is important to stick the tape carefully so that no corner will remain left without sticking to the floor. Double-sided tape will keep the chair mat in place, and you can easily remove it whenever you want.
Gripper Pads
Gripper pads are also a solution to avoid sliding chair mats. These gripper pads are available in bulk that you can cut according to mat size and your need. You can also buy them according to the size that can match your requirements.
They usually underlay beneath the mat and sit between the floor and mat to keep them in place. The rubbery surface of the gripped pads holds the mat when you apply pressure. When you step on the mat, it will grip both surfaces and don’t let the mat slip.
Silicon Caulking
Most people use silicon caulking as an alternative to the grippers. It is the best way to prevent the mat from sliding and curling the corners of the mat.
It is an affordable solution that is easily available in stores. Applying silicon caulk under the mat will create friction between both surfaces and prevent the mat from sliding. It works great for high-traffic areas like hallways.
However, it is important to know that cleaning the caulk residue on the floor is challenging, and it may pull out the fibers from the mat while cleaning.
Anti-Sliding Chair Mat
Several anti-sliding chair mats are available in the market with anti-sliding properties. These mat types don’t require a gripe or tap to hold on the surface. These mats protect you from falling and the floor from any damage.
Moreover, they are rigid enough to support heavy furniture. So you can use them without any hesitation to prevent mat sliding. You may also know How Soon Can You Put Furniture On The Hardwood Floor?
Hot Glue
If you are looking for a quick and cheap way to keep your chair mat from sliding, hot glue can help you. Applying the hot glue at the back of the carpet is easy. Ensure that you apply it evenly and place the mat on the floor.
It will stick to the floor and doesn’t move across the floor. Let the glue dry to hold the surface firmly to get better results.
Best Practices for Preventing Chair Mat Sliding
It is important to keep the chair mat in place to maintain the aesthetics and integrity of your hardwood floor. The following practices will help you to prevent chair mat sliding.
- Several chair mats are available in the market. However, choosing the right mat is important to keep the area functional. A right mat will provide proper grip and stability.
- A chair mat with nonslip backing is always a great choice as it helps prevent the mat’s unwanted movement on the floor.
- Use double-sided tape to keep your chair mat in place. It sticks to the mat and floor and keeps it from sliding.
- Go for the mats that have lip extensions. These extensions will fit under your furniture and prevent the mat from sliding.
- The position of the chair can also help to reduce the mat sliding. Keep your chair in the center. If you place it on the edges, it will remain unstable.
- Choosing heavy-duty mats that can bear the load is good if you are using the mats under heavy-duty furniture.
- Keep checking the condition of the mat. If you notice any wear and tear, change the piece immediately to avoid any damage to the floor.
FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
Are there any long-term effects of chair mats sliding on hardwood floors?
Chair mats are good as they look aesthetic and bring comfort. But at the same time, they may lead to various risks, such as the mat sliding and rubbing against the floor and damaging it, or dirt and debris collecting in it that cause allergies and can damage the floor.
How often should I replace my chair mat to ensure maximum stability?
Replacing a chair mat depends on different factors, such as the quality of the mat and its usage. But these mats may not last forever, and at a point, you may need to change them, and this replacement maybe after a week, month, or a year, depending on the mat type and its condition.
Can I use any chair mat on hardwood floors, or do I need a specific type?
Hardwood floors are delicate and require soft and smooth mats so they cannot damage the floor. So, if you have hardwood flooring, use the mats with sot back so that they will not cause any scratches.
Conclusion
Several ways are there to tackle the sliding chair mats. But it is important to choose a way that is not only safe but also long-lasting. The matter is not only about preventing the mat sliding to keep your floor and mat safe is also a major concern. So always choose quality products and tools to keep your mat in place.