How to select the right wheels for your office chair

Selecting wheels for a new office chair seems like a fairly easy task, as most of us generally choose what comes standard at no charge. While it may seem like a simple decision, having the right wheels for your office chair can increase productivity and improve your work environment. In the grand scheme of office functionality, it's 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's the little things that do keep the office running (literally!). There are many factors influencing the type of wheels that will work best for your office chair, such as your work environment, how mobile you want / need the chair to be, the height of your desk, and the surface you will be rolling on. . To identify which type of wheels will work best for you, it is first important to understand the different options task chair.

What kind of wheels are standard on most office chairs?

Almost all office chairs will come standard with carpet wheels, a harder plastic wheel that is specifically designed to roll on 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 cover makes them an ideal choice for moving over most types of rugs, particularly low pile rugs that can often be found in many office settings. Use them on any other surface, and your floor may scratch or your chair may not roll as effectively.

What kind of wheels are ideal for hardwood floors?

Does your office or home have hardwood floors that you would like to prevent your office chair from scratching and damaging? For most of us, the answer to this question is probably a yes, and fortunately, office furniture manufacturers have recognized the need for office chair casters that won't damage hard surfaces. Soft wheels are generally available as an upgrade on most office chairs and are inexpensive, and most cost less than $ 25 for a set of 5. Soft wheels are designed to protect hard surfaces from damage from the constant rocking of an office chair and are best used on surfaces with hardwood floors, tile, linoleum, or any other type of hard floor. They also roll with more control on hard surfaces than carpet wheels, and more friction is applied between the wheel and the surface it's rolling on. Too much friction makes the chair difficult to move, too little friction makes the chair roll even with the slightest movement you make.

What options are available if you don't want your chair to move?

While you most often imagine an office chair on wheels, there are other options available for those who want to keep their chairs stationary too. Sliders can be inserted into the base of a chair instead of caster wheels, which are essentially rubber pegs that prevent the chair from moving. This can be especially beneficial for those who work at taller workstations or sit at workstations where a mobile chair can become a safety hazard.

If you're interested in having the versatility to switch from staying stationary to having the ability to roll your chair if needed, there are a few options available. The first, and most effective, are the pressure braking wheels that prevent the chair from moving when sitting, but allow the user to move the chair when standing. This is most beneficial for work environments where employees lean on their chairs while working and need a stable option to support their weight. Another more cost-effective option is the manual locking wheels that allow the user to lock the wheels in place when necessary or unlock them when they want to move.