Users of modern offices typically take the materials their offices are constructed from for granted, assuming long life and the ability to endure years of constant use and wear. Unfortunately, the desk surfaces, chair surfaces, floor surfaces, and the various moving part mechanisms of chairs, drawers, slides and other essential portions of the furnishings are less than perfect. They eventually succumb to the wear and tear of constant, everyday use. And none endures more punishment that the floor covering beneath the typical office chair.

Whether hardwood, carpet, ceramic or a synthetic material, the floor surface beneath any chair that is used on any regular basis will degrade sooner than later unless some form of protection is utilized. This protects not only the floor surface, but with the proper choice, helps prolong the chair wheel system as well. A hard surface designed to withstand constant wheel rolling, twisting and high pressure loads is obviously desired and the typical chair mat is designed for exactly this purpose.

Yet, not all chair mats are created equally. The familiar plastic mat with back side spikes, when used on a carpeted surface as it is intended, has a relatively short life span, usually one to two years before displaying signs of fatigue. Cracking, discoloring and splitting are usually the symptoms, creating a less than professional look in the office. There are a number of other “soft material” alternates including rubber and combinations of plastic and vinyl. Most however do not lend themselves to either a long life, comfortable use or an appealing look, or more importantly, to all of these at once.

Wheeled chairs and people using wheeled chairs need hard surfaces. That is a prerequisite. Any material then that is not hard and rigid will be less than satisfactory. Additionally, the ideal hard surface will also blend in and compliment the office surroundings, implying a professional and functional air to the office.

Barring exotic materials that are less than practical, such as tempered glass, elaborate wooden structures and other custom materials, the most sensible chairmats are derived from wood based materials. Some hardwoods are known for their strength and durability and have found their use in a number of flooring systems because of this. Bamboo, such as that found in SuccessImage.com chair mats, is one of these woods and it is generally accepted to be one of the hardest and most resilient of woods for flooring. In fact, flooring contractors are commonly found to wear out a larger number of blades machining and shaping bamboo materials than any other wooden based flooring product.

As a natural wood product, bamboo can be finished to better match the furnishings around it and provide a more integral look. This has a side benefit of creating a pleasant environment, helping to improve office productivity and lowering fatigue.

Another important point to consider of your chair mat is the backing material used. Part of the purpose of the mat is to protect the underlying surface, so the material between the mat and floor is of critical importance. The best characteristics of this interface material are soft and absorbent to well protect the floor, as well as slip proof to avoid annoying movement of the mat during use. These requirements are often addressed with a rubber or plastic material which may or may not be effective, depending on the floor surface itself. The perfect solution would be a 100% coverage of a felt based material to provide padding and a soft surface, and at the same time a rubberized material that “grabs” the floor. SuccessImage.com chair mats uniquely combine these two ideal materials to create the best of both and keep the mat in position constantly while insulating the two hard materials, the mat and the floor, from each other.

At SuccessImage.com, these factors have all been combined into a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing chair mat solution. A bamboo hardwood surface with a felt and rubberized backing will provide the perfect work surface for your chair, creating a comfortable work space with no fatigue, and an elegant, professional look. See www.successimage.com for more information on these and other floor saving, workspace enhancing chair mat solutions that will enhance your office, your image and your professionalism!