How to Stop Office Chair from Rolling
An apparatus for conducting work, the rolling office chair, is an object designed to facilitate the traversal from one end of a cubicle to another. However, when one takes a seat, the rolling action may become inefficient and counterproductive.
The unwanted mobility of an office chair can also lead to deleterious effects on one’s back and knee regions, as one is continually obliged to maintain a degree of control over the movement of the chair. Ineffective seating can cause a decrease in workplace productivity and potentially impair an employee’s work performance.
This particular predicament arises when the casters become nonfunctional, or the floor upon which the chair is placed is excessively smooth and slick, rendering the chair prone to uncontrollable rolling movements.
In the course of this discourse, we shall examine the root causes of rolling chairs and propose potential solutions.
Why Does the Office Chair Roll?
The rolling action of an office chair is attributable to the wheels losing their functionality or the slipperiness of the floor.
Other factors that may contribute to a rolling office chair include:
- -The floor being uneven or slightly inclined.
- -The surface of the floor is smooth or slick (such as hardwood, linoleum, tile, or non-carpeted floors).
- -The wheels being too big or the casters being unsuitable for the chair.
How to Prevent Office Chair Wheels from Rolling?
Having established the potential reasons behind a rolling office chair, it is now imperative to explore how one can reduce or even prevent the rolling of a desk chair.
Remove the casters or purchase new ones
One solution is to remove the casters or purchase new ones. In this case, it would be recommended to replace the old and worn-out casters with new rubber brake wheels or gliders.
It is important to note that one should avoid nylon and plastic casters, as they may result in the chipping and scratching of hardwood or other types of flooring.
Alternatively, if one is disinclined to invest in new casters, adhesive-backed floor protectors known as “felt pads” may serve as a viable option. By placing the felt pads beneath the positions where the casters are removed, one can effectively achieve a caster-less chair that prevents rolling.
One additional tip to keep in mind is to refrain from using chair mats or carpets on hardwood flooring.
Chair Mat
When it comes to preventing an office chair from rolling, the only solutions are either a smooth, slippery floor or lose casters. To prevent this, many people opt to use a chair mat underneath their desk chair. There are three main types of chair mats available: Polycarbonate, Tempered glass, Vinyl, or PVC mats. According to users, Polycarbonate mats are the best option for keeping chairs from rolling.
However, if you’re using a chair mat on a fluffy carpet, you may encounter an issue with sinking. To avoid this, you can use studded mats, which provide extra lift to the chair and minimize sinking.
Use yoga mats
Another option to keep an office chair from rolling is to use a yoga mat. While this is a budget-friendly option, it may cause the chair to wobble due to the lack of grip and light foam material. Long-term use of a yoga mat as a chair mat can also lead to severe back issues.
Brake and Locking Casters
Caster cups/rollers and stoppers are another option available to prevent office chairs from rolling. These come in various materials such as wooden, glass, rubber, plastic frames, heavy-duty vinyl, or solid silicon. However, caster cups can be a hindrance when you need to move the chair around.
If your office chair’s casters are not suitable, custom-made casters can be obtained from the store where you purchased the desk chair or any furniture store. Alternatively, brake and locking casters are an option to prevent an office chair from moving unnecessarily.
These are hands-free brake casters that only activate when you sit on the desk chair. They work well on both smooth floors and uneven ground and are rubber-coated to prevent scratching.
For those with slanting or uneven floors, sit-brake casters are an option. These wheels are controlled by a metal bar that you can activate using your foot. When you want to deactivate the brake system, release the metal bar (locker lever) by pulling it up with your feet.
Use a carpet under your rolling desk chair
Are you perplexed when choosing between an area rug and chair mats? Let’s dive into the intricacies of each.
Firstly, area rugs are characterized by their thick fabric material and softness, providing a plush surface for your feet to tread upon. In stark contrast, chair mats are composed of PVC plastic and rubber, resulting in a hard, thin, and uniform mat.
While area rugs offer complete floor coverage, chair mats are limited to the area beneath the chair, providing a designated space for your chair to glide across. To ensure your chair remains stationary, consider placing a 2×3′ rug beneath it. Not only will it diminish chair movement, but it will also grant you the freedom to move about the room when necessary.
Similarly, a 4×6′ area rug can be placed under your desk, covering not only the chair area but also extending under the desk. However, beware of using kitchen floor rugs as they may cause the desk chair to fold and topple over, leading to potential mishaps. To prevent your rug from curling or shifting, attach rug stoppers, also known as gripper pads, to all four corners of the rug, firmly securing it to the floor.
But wait, there’s more!
A simple yet effective hack to inhibit your desk chair from rolling is to place a foam block under the casters. To achieve optimal results, it’s essential to measure the distance between the floor and the chair base using a measuring tape. Cut a square piece of dense foam and place it under the chair base, elevating the chair to prevent movement while ensuring the foam doesn’t compress under pressure.
And if you need to repair the base of the chair, be sure to read our guide to this step.
In conclusion, while chair mats may provide a designated space for your chair, the softness and coverage of an area rug may better suit your needs. With the addition of rug stoppers or foam blocks, you can achieve optimal stationary results, ensuring a safe and efficient workspace.
