How to Keep Chair Mats from Sliding on Hardwood Floors?

A chair mat is an excellent addition to the interior of a place. It protects the hardwood floor from the chair and adds an aesthetic to the room. But if the chair mat tends to slip and bunch up often, it is a huge bother for everyone.

You can keep the chair mat from sliding by attaching rug grips or double-sided carpet tapes. A non-slip gripper pad or hook-loop strips are also great options to keep the chair mat from sliding on hardwood floors.

This article will let you know how to prevent the chair mats in your home from sliding along whenever someone steps onto them. There are a variety of ideas for you to choose from.

How to Keep Chair Mats from Sliding on Hardwood Floors? A Complete Process:

Hardwood floors require extra protection due to the fragility of their surface. When your chair moves around on the hardwood floor, it increases the possibility of putting scratches on the floor.

A chair mat can protect the hardwood floor from this kind of damage. But you will need to make sure that the chair mat doesn’t slide away abruptly.

You can apply some easy methods to your chair mat to keep it stuck to one specific place. Here are some of the best ways for you to stop your chair mat from sliding.

1. Attach Double Sided Adhesive Tape

This is one of the easiest and simplest methods of keeping your chair mat in one place. Using double-sided carpet tape is only a matter of a few minutes.

However, the commercial double-sided adhesive tape is not properly applied on sensitive hardwood floors. The adhesive used in these are way too strong and leaves a residue.

There are specific carpet tapes in the market for this purpose. Make sure to choose carpet tape that is suitable for use on the hardwood floor.

Here are the steps of attaching the Double Sided Adhesive Tape

Step-1: Place the mat in an upside-down direction by facing it towards yourself.

Step-2: Cut the double-sided tape to match it to the size and shape of the chair mat.

Step-3: If the chair mat is too big, place some tape in the center of the mat too.

Step-4: Once you are done, peel off the other side of the tape.

Step-5: Place the mat perfectly in the correct position of where you want it on the floor.

2. Get A Non-Slip Gripper Pad

Non-slip gripper pads are specifically made for holding something in place without moving. These are also called underlays. Now, they are available at any big store, so you can easily get them from there.

The non-slip gripper pads are made of rubber material. This rubbery material helps the floor grip the chair mat more firmly.

The gripper pads come in various shapes and sizes, so you can choose the one you need. It also comes in a roll for you to cut it down to the correct size you need by yourself.

Simply place the gripper pad underneath your chair mat. The more someone puts pressure on the mat, the more it will grip the smooth surface. Therefore, the mat is unable to slip due to the rubber underneath.

There is also a downside to using these non-slipper gripper pads. The chemical inside the gripper pad can stain the hardwood floor and result in even more damage if you are not careful.

3. Attach Rug Grips

These are kind of similar to the gripper pads. However, these non-slip strips are made of silicone. The silicone creates friction with the surface. This friction keeps the chair mat in one place on the floor.

Firstly, get the non-slip strips and rug grips from any store. Place them on the bottom side of the chair mat. Then keep your chair mat where you want. It will stop slipping or moving at all now.

4. Use Hook And Loop Grips

This method is a slightly less popular choice because of its permanence. The hook and loop grips are attached to the floor permanently, so it might not be the right option for everyone.

The hook and loop grip has two parts. It works by connecting one piece on the floor and the other piece with the chair mat. When you clasp both pieces together, the grip finally holds the chair mat tightly to the floor.

While the hook and loop grip holds the chair mat to the floor tighter than the adhesive strips, it also has some cons. Attaching the hooks to the floor means you can not remove them anytime you want. Even if you do, there are chances of it damaging the hardwood floor and leaving marks.

5. Use The Proper Non-Slip Chair Mat

You wouldn’t need to worry about using and taking care of all of these methods if you only invest in an actual non-slip chair mat. It wouldn’t require any kind of additional products except for the mat itself.

Many non-slip mats are available in the market with small rubber bits on the bottom side. These grip the floor tightly and keep the chair mat secured right where you want it on the floor. It also has no chance of ruining or damaging the hardwood floor.

While buying a new non-slip chair mat for your hardwood floor, consider a few things first.

• Make sure to choose the type of chair mat suitable for the hardwood floor.
• Choose a mat with good durable material, so it doesn’t wear off too quickly from the chair pressure.
• Consider the weight and size of the chair while getting the chair mat. The chair mat has to balance heavily and complement the chair’s weight well. For instance, for a bigger and heaving chair, get a thicker chair mat.
• Make sure the chair mat is larger than the chair area.

Is Using A Chair Mat Bad For Hardwood Floor?

Hardwood floors are very sensitive and prone to damage easily. Using a chair mat can prevent scratches from getting on the floor. But some methods of keeping the chair mat in place can also harm the hardwood floor.

These are some of the ways even a chair mat can damage your floor:

• If the chair mat is overused and too ragged, it creates holes in the mat. These holes, in turn, lead the chair to damage the hardwood floor.
• Using regular adhesive tape on chair mats can leave residue on the floor. These are often impossible to get out without damaging the floor.
• The hook and loop grip also attaches to a part of the floor and damages the floor when you try to get it off.
• If the chair mat is slippery, it can slip away at any time and scrape on the floor. This can chip away at the surface of the hardwood floor.

Considering all the pros and cons, using a non-slip grip mat is the best option for your chair on hardwood floors.

You May Also Read: What to Do When Chair Wheels Keep Falling Off?

FAQ’s

Here are some of the frequently asked questions among many people. So, let’s dig in!

Do non-slip mats work on any surface?

It’s hard to give a direct answer to this question, but there are different types of mats that work on specified types of floors. However, there are some mats that work on all surfaces, whether it is tile or hardwood. Mats that work on all floor types are expensive to purchase but ensure to be 100% reliable and foolproof on any floor type.

While the mats that are made specifically to work for certain floor types can often require replacing if you choose to shift homes.

Are all chair mats expensive?

Although there are several brands and companies that make chair mats, not all of them come at a reasonable price. In fact, most of these companies that make chair mats are rather expensive and are difficult to find within a reasonable price range.

However, there are a few brands that make the same mats, at an affordable price. Although these mats are difficult to come across, they are just as good and reliable as any high-end brand.

Do regular double-sided tapes prevent chair mats from sliding?

To prevent chair mats from sliding all over the hardwood, there are specially made double-sided tapes available that protect both the mats and the floors at the same time. These widely available tapes provide optimum care for the floor while preventing it from sliding all over the place.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, these are how to keep chair mats from sliding on hardwood floors. A slippery chair mat can cause severe damage to the floor and the people around. It possesses the risk of anyone slipping and falling abruptly.

Ensuring the chair mat does not slide around will minimize the risks and potential damage. It will also add elegance to the environment and overall interior of the room.

So, it is the best choice to choose your preferred measure to make sure that the chair mat does not slide on the hardwood floor.