Office chairs that don’t roll smoothly can be frustrating for workers and might even damage your flooring. Casters may all look fairly similar, but manufacturers offer a variety of innovative products, each designed for different applications. If you’re furnishing an office, below are a few considerations when selecting wheels for your chairs.

What Are the Different Types of Chair Casters?

Hard Casters

Most office chairs come with standard assemblies featuring hard nylon wheels protected by a hood. This allows them to roll easily over carpeted surfaces without catching or dragging stray fibers.

Soft Casters

If your office has hardwood, tile, or other hard flooring materials, you may want to consider soft wheel assemblies. The wheels are typically made of rubber or polyurethane and feel somewhat like roller skates. These materials are safe for office floors that might be scratched by the default hard casters.

Reverse Locking Casters

Rolling office chairs are convenient, but they can also be hazardous on some surfaces. Reverse locking casters feature mechanisms that keep the wheels in place, preventing the chair from rolling out from underneath your employees.

What to Consider When Choosing Office Chair Wheels

In addition to the material, you should also consider the size of the wheels. Most office chairs come with standard 2” or 2½” wheels, which are suited for most applications. However, larger 3” wheels have less rolling resistance and are less likely to get snagged on wrinkled carpets or other obstacles.

Most casters feature dual wheels, which provide a wider rolling surface and minimize damage to your carpet, wood, or vinyl flooring. Single-wheel rollers put all the weight on a narrow edge, which can dig grooves into even the most durable flooring material.

Whether you’re refurbishing your furniture or setting up a new office, Casters, Wheels and Industrial Handling has the parts and components you need to keep operations running smoothly. From their offices in Farmingdale, NY, and Halethorpe, MD, they offer parts from an assortment of industry-leading manufacturers, delivering reliable parts to businesses throughout the New York City area. Visit their website for a look at their inventory of wheels and rollers, or call (631) 650-0500 to speak with an expert.