Choosing the Right Floor Protectors

Transcription

1 Choosing the Right Floor Protectors You ve made the investment in new flooring for your home. So what can you do to help ensure your flooring stays looking like new? One of the biggest flooring maintenance issues is scratches, especially those caused by that is regularly moved back and forth across flooring, such as kitchen chairs and tables. To help reduce the likelihood of these types of scratches, there are many products available, ranging from simple self-adhesive felt pads to rolling casters that can be mounted onto legs. Some products offer better protection than others, and some work better with different and flooring types. Regardless of the products you choose, keep in mind that no protector is fail-proof. Improper of the protectors could lead to unwanted scuffs and scratches. For example, some protectors are designed to be nailed into legs. If the protector is made of plastic, and you hammer it directly, the plastic may crack, leaving sharp edges. With these types of products, it may be better to place a piece of wood over the cap when hammering, so that the hammer is not in direct contact with the plastic. Also, when installing a screw-in or nail-in product on a wood leg, pre-drilling a hole into the leg first may make easier, help prevent the nail head from pushing out and the wood will be less likely to split. Even when attached to properly, many of the popular felt-adhesive products will wear over time and may fall off or rip, especially when placed on chairs that get frequent use. If dirt or grit gets trapped in the felt or the adhesive, damage to floors can also result. So it s important to check often to ensure that protectors are securely in place and free of dirt and debris. Remember: New protectors are not expensive but new floors can be!

2 Floor Protectors At a Glance The following table lists a sampling of some of the more popular protectors available and the pros and cons of each. Floor Protector Type Description Installation Method Recommended Use Pros Cons/Recommended Self-adhesive felt pads Felt pads with an adhesive backing. Peel back and apply self-adhesive side to clean, dry surface Safe on all indoor hard floor surfaces: wood, ceramic tile, finished concrete, vinyl composition tile Will adhere to most types of Offered in a variety of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses. Helps prevent flooring damage by softening edges Allows for movement Reduces noise associated with moving Dirt and debris can get trapped on/under the pads, which may lead to scuffs on flooring Adhesive tends to lose stickiness over time, especially when used on that is moved frequently Will not prevent indents from heavy Check often to ensure pads are in place and free of debris Vacuum or replace damaged/dirty pads.

3 Formed-felt pads Made from reinforced felt with formed sides designed to fit more securely around table and chair legs Peel back and apply to clean, dry surface Safe on all indoor hard floor surfaces: wood, ceramic tile, vinyl composition tile, finished concrete Can be used with desks, bar stools, folding chairs, and other chair and table legs Available in various square and round sizes Formed sides fit securely around chair and table legs creating more durability and better fit than standard flat felt pads Allows for movement Protects flooring from rust Reduces noise associated with moving Dirt and debris can get trapped on/under the pads, which may lead to scuffs on flooring Check often for proper fit and evidence of debris. Vacuum or replace if damaged or dirty Tap-In felt glides Felt-tipped glides held in place by a thin-walled metal rivet Tap metal rivet into the bottom of wood legs with a hammer Note: In some cases, drilling a hole into the wood first, may work best. Safe on all indoor hard floor surfaces: wood, ceramic tile, finished concrete, vinyl composition tile For with wood feet/legs Felt tip protects floors from scratches Less likely to come off with frequent use than stick-on Dirt and debris can get trapped on/under the pads, which may lead to scuffs on floor Limited use: only for with wooden legs/feet More effort required for Check often for proper fit and evidence of debris Vacuum or replace if damaged or dirty

4 Rubber/Teflon-like grippers Many contain an O ring design, specially formulated to prevent from moving Place securely over clean, dry legs Some include self-stick adhesive for added adhesion Ideal for use with recliner chairs Protects hardwood, laminates, tiles, parquet and slate Stops from moving/ sliding Available in a range of sizes. Not recommended for use with that moves frequently Stick-on/Screw-on foot protectors Made of an easy-glide material that can be applied to using a stick-on or nail-on method Screw-on method: Drill hole in existing leg and screw glide in Stick-on method: Peel and place securely on clean, dry legs Designed for narrow legs (3/4 to 1 1/4 in diameter) Ideal for dining chairs with leveled feet and lightweight. Protects hardwood, laminates, tile, vinyl, slate Allows to slide without scratching floors Available in a range of sizes. Helps move more easily good for rearranging Less likely to wear out or collect dirt or dust Drilling may be required for more secure fit Not made for wide legs The sliding inserts can pop off Cup-shaped protectors Cups are typically made from rubber or plastic. Place on floor and rest legs on top Designed for heavier Used only with stationary objects, such as heavy appliances and that will not be moved frequently Good weight distribution over a larger area to help decrease the likelihood of a heavy item crushing or puncturing the flooring Not for use with that requires frequent movement May not distribute weight over as large of an area as glides (see below)

5 Caster cups Coasters that typically extend up the leg approximately 1 ; some include an O-ring design to hold legs in place Place on floor and rest legs on top For use on hard flooring surfaces Good for pianostyle wheels and other with caster wheels Stops with castor wheels from rolling around Protects the floor from damage when chairs slide or tip at an angle Available in a variety of diameters May not distribute weight over as large of an area as glides (see below) Check for cracks and clean periodically Swivel glides Swiveling glides typically made of Teflon-like material Nail into the bottom of the leg May require drilling a hole first. Some products offer screw-on option For use on hard flooring surfaces Use with that is moved frequently Caster will move when a chair leg is tipped back Allows heavier weight distribution over a larger area than with a fixed protector Check and clean periodically Casters Typically ball-shaped and constructed of rubber, metal, or Teflon-like plastic, designed to roll under a heavy load; stem is typically made of steel for added strength Typically used as replacement of existing foot, in which case old foot is screwed off and caster is screwed in May require drilling a hole. Use for office chairs, refrigerators, bed frames, etc. Before using on carpeting, a chair mat should be in place to deflect the impact of swiveling casters and allow for a smoother glide Can be used on most hard floor surfaces Caster will move when a chair leg is tipped back Allows heavier weight distribution over a larger area than with a fixed protector Attention should be paid to achieving the widest amount of contact with the flooring as possible. Too narrow of a contact point can have a blade-like effect under load. Check and clean wheels periodically

6 Cloth gliders A round disc typically with a foam center and cloth protection pad Slip the protection pad around the glide disc Slightly raise or tilt the object to be moved and place glide underneath each leg or corner (foam side of the mover faces upward) Intended for temporary use and not as permanent protection For use on all hard flooring surfaces Ideal for moving from one place to another Reusable Made for heavy (many hold up to 1,000lbs) Before moving, ensure glides are correctly in place and under all legs that will slide across flooring