Chair Mat FAQs

Chair mats extend carpet and hard flooring life by keeping the caster from direct contact with the carpet or hard floor and dispersing pressure over a much broader area. Many carpet manufacturers void their warranty when using a chair with casters without a chair mat. 

Using a chair mat on a carpeted surface can reduce fatigue. Use of a chair mat requires less effort by you to move around your workspace resulting in less back and leg strain. 

Deflecto chair mats are rolled for the consumer's convenience when transporting the product. To unroll the chair mat, make sure it is at least room temperature, unroll on a hard surface and place weight on all four corners. The chair mat should lay flat in 12 to 24 hours (warmer areas with direct sunlight will shorten the time needed). View our Chair Mat Unrolling Instructions here.

Please see our Chair Mat Selection Guide for guidance in selecting the appropriate mat for your intended usage. 

When selecting a chair mat it is important to consider the following:

      1. Determine Use. How much time per day will you be using your chair mat? If you spend 6 or more hours on your chair mat you will want to select a thicker gauge chair mat.  The thicker the chair mat, the smoother the roll.

      2. Determine Surface. Will the chair mat be on carpet or hard floor? If carpet, what is the pile thickness of the carpet. The thicker the pile, the thicker gauge the chair mat.

      3. Determine the Load. The more weight the chair mat is to support (office chair included), the thicker the chair mat.

One more tip, soft casters will extend the life of your chair mat.

Our mats come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit most needs. 

*Not all sizes and shapes are available in all thicknesses. Chair mats are also available in custom shapes and sizes.

Chair mats with beveled edges work best for frequent rolling on and off of your chair mat and offer a smoother transition from the carpet to the chair mat. Beveled edges are almost always more appropriate with thicker mats.

Deflecto® chair mats are made from Polycarbonate, Premium Vinyl, or Glass. 

Please fill out the Chair Mat Warranty Claim form here. Proof of purchase is required, and shipping charges may apply.

Please contact a Customer Service Representative at customerservice@deflecto.com or call us at 800.428.4328 and we'll be happy to help you.

If your chair has casters, be sure they are "soft" casters and have wide wheels. If the chair has narrow or steel casters, premature wearing of the mat may occur.

To clean your chair mat, use warm soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly.

We make our traditional chair mats from PVC--polyvinyl chloride, and are softer and more pliable than polycarbonate mats. Polycarbonate mats are highly rigid, resilient mats and due to the hardness will provide less friction on the casters. They offer exceptional clarity, and they won't curl, crack, or discolor. Deflecto® makes polycarbonate chair mats for any carpet thickness and floor type.

Use the Custom Chair Mat Design Template to order custom chair mats or contact our Customer Service team at 1-800-428-4328 or CustomerService@Deflecto.com.   

All Deflecto® chair mats have a limited lifetime product replacement warranty when used for the application specified. Please see our Chair Mat Warranty Claim Form for more information.

The textured surface should be placed up (the side the chair will move on) and the smooth surface is placed directly against your flooring. 

Our PVC and Polycarbonate chair mats are proudly Made in the USA, in Dover, Ohio. Our glass chair mats are made in China. 

If concrete is properly sealed, there should not be a problem. If not properly sealed, we do not recommend use on concrete due to potential condensation issues which can lead to mold and mildew. Please check with your floor provider to ensure the floor is properly sealed prior to chair mat use.