Three different chair mats being compared with three different chairs.

TLDR

Noticing that your office chair is wearing down your floor or your legs are a little tired from moving around your workspace? A chair mat is the perfect solution. This article will guide you on what to look for and how to choose the best mat for you.

Whether you’re one of the busy entrepreneurs working from home or healthcare and medical office administrators overseeing large facilities, everyone juggles a million different tasks every day. Amidst all that hustle and bustle, the trusty chair mat under your wheels may not even cross your mind. But this unassuming hero helps to keep you comfy during those long shifts and protects the life of your floors, rugs, and carpets. 

So, how do you pick the perfect one for your space? We’ll answer that question and more in this quick guide about carpet pile thickness. 

Why Do I Need a Chair Mat?

Chair mats are the perfect complement to ergonomic workstations and desks and chairs so your workday is as comfortable and productive as possible. They bring many benefits to your space by:

  • Reducing strain by 80% compared to moving your chair on a carpet.
  • Protecting your floor from those nasty spills, scuffs, and dents.
  • Providing smoother movement that mitigates leg fatigue.
  • Keeping your tech safe around electronics thanks to anti-static properties.
  • Maintaining budget-friendly pricing so you can protect yourself and your floors without breaking the bank. A small investment now saves you a hefty repair later.
  • Offering options made from renewable energy and recycled plastics so you can protect the planet and your workspace.

Comparing Chair Mats by Pile Thickness

While they all bring numerous benefits to your workspace, not all mats are created equal. Pile thickness —arguably the most important feature of a chair mat— plays a big role in:

  • How your chair mat will perform
  • How long you should sit on it each day
  • How heavy of a load it can carry

This also depends on the type of floor or carpet you have. Here’s a quick visual overview and some important differentiating bullet points:

Carpet information guide for chair mats
  • Choose “High Pile” if your carpet is over 1/2” long and/or you will use it for 8+ hours per day.
  • Choose “Medium Pile” if your carpet is between 3/8” and 1/2” long and/or you will use it for 6-8 hours per day.
  • Choose “Low Pile” if your carpet is between 1/4" and 3/8" long and/or you will use it for up to 4 hours per day.
  • Choose “Commercial Grade Pile” if your carpet is primarily flat, up to 1/4" long and/or you will use it for up to 4 hours per day.
  • Choose specialized “Hard Floor” is your chair sits on any hard flooring (tile, wood, laminate, etc.) and/or you will use it for up to all day use.

If you’d like more detailed information about chair mat piles, check out this in-depth chair mat buyer's guide.

Our Recommendations for the Best Chair Mats

Once you know which type of chair mat and pile thickness you need, it’s time to make your choice! Here are our top recommendations based on industry and use.

Chair Mats for the Office

Office furniture — especially within the government industry — must be durable and functional while also preserving the professional appearance and longevity of office flooring. High-pile mats such as the Deflecto® Sit/Stand Black Mat step up to the plate by reducing wear and tear on carpets and hard floors caused by daily chair movement. They also contribute to office ergonomics by making chair movement smooth and effortless or providing added cushioning and stable support for workers

who prefer to stand for part or all of their work day. This mitigates the risk of strain injuries for those long 8+ hour shifts.

Home Office Chair Mats

As more people pivot to remote working, the line between home and office space blurs. Personal workspaces need to be functional without wearing down your home’s flooring, so it’s important to choose home office products that blend seamlessly into your living area without breaking the bank. Chair mats are a budget-friendly yet attractive way to prevent scuffs, scratches, and wear on your floor as you work. Chair mats go a long way in boosting aesthetics and floor longevity. Depending on how long you work and your type of flooring, our top recommendations are: 

Healthcare & Medical Chair Mats

Antimicrobial chair mats like the medium-pile Deflecto® Antimicrobial SuperMat Chair Mat or 45" X 53" Deflecto® Antimicrobial EconoMat Chair Mat For Hard Floors protect floors and become an integral part of hygiene protocol in medical settings like hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, and dental offices. They allow you to easily clean and disinfect the surface to prevent the spread of germs and infections. Plus, in areas where staff spend long hours on their feet or pushing patients between rooms, the ergonomic benefits of chair mats contribute to a safer and more comfortable workspace.

School & Classroom Chair Mats

A chair mat is a necessity for educational institutions and teachers, where educators often move around in their seats in the classroom to engage with students and administrators spend many hours at their desks. It allows them to glide effortlessly, reducing the physical strain that can come from moving or standing for prolonged periods. Commercial mats like the medium-pile Deflecto® DuraMat Clear Chair Mat For Carpet also provide the durability that’s so important in educational environments, which often produce heavy foot and chair traffic.

Choose the Right Chair Mat for your Space

Selecting the right chair mat requires balancing aesthetics with comfort, durability, ergonomics, stability, and floor preservation abilities. With these often underrated office accessories, you can transform your working experience, increasing productivity and efficiency.

Are you ready to transform your workspace? Explore MyBinding’s extensive selection of high-quality chair mats. No matter your needs, there’s a chair mat for everyone.