Selecting wheels on for a new office chair seems like an easy enough task, with most of us typically just choosing what comes standard at no charge. While it may seem like a simple decision, having the right casters for your office chair can actually increase productivity and improve your work environment. In the grand scheme of office functionality it is always important to have the right desk, the right office chair, the right filing cabinet, the right computer monitor, the right desk set up, but sometimes it is the little things that keep the office rolling (literally!). There are many factors that play into which type of casters will work best for your office chair such as your work environment, how mobile you want/need the chair to be, your desk height, and the surface in which you will be rolling on. In order to identify which type of casters will work best for you, it is first important to understand the different options available.

Rubber Casters

What type of wheels come standard on most office chairs?

Rubber Casters

Just about every office chair will come standard with carpet casters, a harder plastic caster that is designed specifically for rolling on top of carpeted surfaces. This is due to the fact that the vast majority of office chairs are used in carpeted areas and also because they are among the cheapest options for manufacturers to produce. Their hard plastic covering makes them an ideal choice to move over most types of carpet, particularly low pile carpet that can often be found in many office environments. Use them on any other surface, and you may find your floor getting scratched or your chair not rolling as effectively.

What type of wheels are ideal for hardwood floors?

Does your office or home have hardwood floors that you would like to preserve from being scratched and damaged by your office chair? For most of us, the answer to this question is most likely a yes and luckily office furniture manufacturers have recognized the need for office chair wheels that will not damage hard surfaces. Soft casters are typically available as an upgrade on most office chairs and are inexpensive in price, with most costing less than for a set of 5. Soft casters are designed to protect hard surfaces from being damaged from the constant rolling of an office chair and are best used on surfaces with hard wood flooring, tile, linoleum, or any other type of hard flooring. They also roll with more control on hard surfaces than carpet casters would, with more friction being applied between the wheel and the surface it is rolling on. Too much friction makes the chair difficult to move, too little friction makes the chair roll with even the slightest move you make.

What options are available if you do not want your chair to move at all?

While most typically picture an office chair with wheels, there are also other options available for those that would like to keep their chairs stationary. Glides can be inserted into a chair's base instead of rolling casters, which are essentially rubber pegs that prevent the chair from moving. This can be especially beneficial for those that work at higher work stations or sit stand work stations where a moving chair can become a safety hazard.

If you are interested in having the versatility to switch from remaining stationary to having the ability to roll your chair if needed, there are a few options available. The first, and most effective, is pressure braking casters which prevent the chair from moving when seated but allows the user to move the chair when standing up. This is most beneficial for sit stand work environments where employees lean against their chairs while working and need a stable option to support their weight. Another more cost-effective option is manual locking casters which allow the user to lock the wheels in place when necessary or unlock them when they would like to move around.

Which casters will work for my office environment?

The best way to determine which casters will work best for your office environment is to first determine your chair's primary use and what surface your chair will be rolling on. Do you have a higher work station? Do you have floors you do not want damaged if rolling around? Do you switch between sitting and standing while you work? Do you need your chair to remain stationary during certain parts of the day and mobile during others? By answering these questions and reading the aforementioned, you will be on your way towards determining which type of wheels will work best for your office chair.

How to Select the Right Casters for Your Office Chair

Rubber Casters