As a gaming enthusiast who is interested in almost everything related to gaming from gaming setups to gaming chair mats, there is one question I have been asked so many times, which is:” Do You Need a Chair Mat on Laminate Floors?”
This question is usually asked by those using rolling chairs with caster wheels and you will know the reason why, in the next following lines.
So now let me answer this frequently asked question, actually yes, we all need to use chair mats on our laminate floors. not only laminate floors, but for any type of hard floors, including wooden floors, vinyl floors, tile floors, concrete floors, or carpeted floors whether high-pile carpets, low-pile carpets, or medium pile carpeting.
Chair floor mats don’t only add aesthetic beauty to gaming setups, study rooms, or offices, but they are also significantly important for protecting the beautiful floors, as well as your own body during the long extended period of working or gaming sessions
In the following lines, you will know the reason why do you need a chair mat on laminate floors.
First, Protection
The first and foremost importance of office chair mats is protecting your hardwood floors or any floor surface from the damage caused by the rolling chair. Let me tell you how this damage takes place.
While moving around with your best gaming chair or office chair on the floor’s smooth surface, there is something actually taking place down there, that you are not aware of. The type of flooring is getting scratched due to the friction between it and the chair wheels.
You might be wondering, does this also happen underneath standard office chairs with standard legs? The answer is yes, the legs also leave gauges and unwanted marks that are capable of damaging the beauty of your aesthetic floor.
And here comes the brilliant role of chair mats, they provide effective protection for various floor types against the damage caused by plastic wheels or heavy furniture legs, whether they are plastic mats, tempered glass chair mats, or bamboo chair mats.
Check out our list of the best chair mats for laminate floors.
Second, Safety
I was confused whether to put this reason as the first reason why you should get a chair mat or the second one because it shares the same importance with the protection reason, but I have ended up keeping it in the second place, as originally floor mats were designed for the floor protection, making it the first and most important reason.
Safety is another amazing thing a floor protection mat will offer you when you are moving with a cool gaming chair or an office one while carrying out your daily tasks, and by safety, I don’t mean your floor safety, I mean your personal safety. Let me tell you how.
When gliding on laminate floors or any hardwood floors, there are higher chances of skidding and slipping, do you remember how many times you were about to fall over while rolling to grab something nearby your desk?
Chair mats are engineered to provide stability and sturdiness, you will find some mats for hardwood floors have non-slip matte backing and AnchorBar® Cleats, resulting in reducing the risks of slipping and falling over while moving around with your chair.
Speaking of safety, we recommend you always check the materials of the mat you want to purchase, as there are plastic chair mats that include toxin chemicals, leading to harmful emissions and odors in your indoor environment, which can also be so dangerous on your pets.
Third, Reducing Fatigue
Some chair mats are designed to be anti-fatigue. An anti-fatigue mat is made from anti-fatigue support foam which makes your extended working hours or gaming sessions less painful.
Furthermore, the smooth surface of the chair mat allows for easy glide and chair movement, which in turn reduces the strain on your feet and the physical fatigue.
So, in order to have a less painful sitting experience every time we recommend always purchasing the mat that comes with an anti-fatigue portion, or what is known as an edge lip.
Fourth, Style
The last reason why you should get a floor mat for your laminate flooring is that it makes an aesthetically pleasing addition to your living space, including a cool gaming setup, office, dining room, and gaming setup, as they are available in a massive variety of styles.
If you want to make a super cool and stunning addition stylish to your gaming setup, you might like to check our list of The Bets gaming chair mats, they come in stylish styles and custom themes of various color options that will take your gaming place to the next level.
And if you prefer to add a shiny glow to your underneath laminate floor surface without completely hiding its beauty, you can go for tempered glass mats or transparent plastic mats. They are designed to offer you ultimate protection for your laminate surface without sacrificing its aesthetics.
Here is the best glass chair mat and transparent plastic mat available on the market right now.
- Durable materials and rapidly renewable natural silica sand
- Beveled edge for easy on & off-rolling
- Weight capacity: supports up to 1000 pounds
- Compatible floors: ideal for carpeted surfaces and hard floors
- Reduces back & joint stress
- Elegant ergonomic glass mat
- Available in 6 sizes
- Fully transcalent to complement your floor, furniture, and décor
- Odorless, BPA-free, & Phthalate-free
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Durable materials and rapidly renewable natural silica sand
- Beveled edge for easy on & off rolling
- Weight capacity: supports up to 1000 pounds
- Compatible floors: ideal for carpeted surfaces and hard floors
- Reduces back & joint stress
- Elegant ergonomic glass mat
- Available in 6 sizes
- Fully transcalent to complement your floor, furniture and décor
- Odorless, BPA-free, & Phthalate-free
- Limited lifetime warranty
FAQ on “Do You Need a Chair Mat on Laminate Floors?”
Can rolling chairs be used on hardwood floors?
Yes.
Of course, you can use a rolling chair on hardwood flooring types, but you should have a floor mat underneath it especially if you have beautiful hardwood floors. because all chairs with wheels with consonant friction with the floor will leave scratches, gauges, and other marks over time.
Moreover, when you are carrying out your daily tasks on a rolling chair, there are higher chances of skidding and falling over, that’s why most floor mats are designed with anti-slip backing or AnchorBar® Cleats options, resulting in reducing the risks of falling over during the chair movement.
How do you protect wood floors from chairs?
You can protect your hardwood surface from floor damage caused by the office chair casters in so many ways. The first and foremost way is chair mats, they provide a high amount of protection at an affordable price, especially if they are made of durable, thicker, and recycled materials.
The second common way is the furniture pads that are commonly used for heavy furniture legs. They will so well in protecting the floor from scratches and wear, but their main downside is that their adhesive loses its effect over time, which means that you will have to replace them now and then.
Finally, you can use Office Chair Bell Glides.
Will office chairs damage laminate flooring?
Yes, they will
Office chairs can cause serious damage to laminate flooring in the long term, as the frequent friction between the office chair wheels and the floor type will lead to scratches, gauges, and marks. So it is highly recommended to use a floor mat underneath the gaming or office chair caster wheels in order to protect the types of flooring.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, everyone using a standard office chair or gaming chair with wheels needs a floor mat to protect their beautiful laminate floors from scratches, gauges, and other marks.
So, if you are still asking do I need a chair mat on laminate floors or not now you have the answer. But in case you are convinced that chair mats are important but not so happy about the fact that you have to pay for them, you can go for chair mats alternatives.