If you just installed new vinyl plank flooring in your office and are using rolling desk chairs then you need to take precautions to avoid ruining your expensive floors.

Although vinyl plank flooring is tough and resistant to scratches. An office chair with rolling wheels will leave behind impressions and indentations overtime. This is due to friction from gliding the wheels around leading to wearing out of your flooring overtime.

In turn it will lose its shine and will look worn out and will require replacing the damaged planks. Which is why you need to protect your expensive vinyl flooring from getting damaged and have it looking new for longer.

You can however, protect your vinyl floors from office chair damage by using felt wheel casters, polyurethane wheels or getting a chair mat suitable for vinyl floors.

What Is the Best Flooring for Office Chairs

Vinyl plank flooring is definitely a good choice for an office because it’s durable and more resistant to a lot of foot traffic from a busy office. Moreover it is economical and super easy to install giving your office an instant lift to looking expensive and luxurious.

Nonetheless, this does not mean vinyl floors do not need extra care, especially from office chairs. This is because of friction overtime they will cause dents and dull your vinyl floors.

You did make a good choice going for vinyl for your office but remember to protect and care for it as required.

Will an Office Chair Damage Vinyl Plank Flooring

An office chair will eventually damage vinyl plank flooring. This is because as you roll around on your chair the friction from the wheels to the floor dig into the floors, causing dents, scuff marks and dull your vinyl floors.

Which will degrade your floor’s value and create an unsightly spot in your office. To have to replace the planks will cost your money and nobody would like that definitely.

To avoid office damage on vinyl plank flooring we highly recommend taking precautions which we will discuss in depth below.

How To Protect Vinyl Floors from Office Chair

Now that vinyl floors are becoming a favorite for office spaces, you should protect your floors from office chair damage. We will discuss options you can give to your variety of choice.

These include:

• Felt chair wheels
• Polyurethane replacement wheels
• Chair mats
• Office Rugs

How To Protect Your Vinyl Floors from Chair Casters and Wheels

Felt Chair Casters

If you do not want to leave behind marks and grooves from plastic rolling chair wheels on your vinyl plank flooring, settle for Felt casters for office chair floor protectors.

You will feel much more at ease knowing your new luxury floors will not get dented by plastic or stained by rubber casters. Or scratched by the standard hard plastic chair wheels.

Felt is a safe material to use on vinyl flooring, it is a textile material made from compressing natural fiber materials such as wool or synthetic fibers from petroleum based products.

Key Features

• Very easy to install – they pop right on without much hassle, only need to take off old and put the new on.
• With these on you will not swivel around like ordinary rolling wheels because vinyl tile is very slippery.
• They can move easily, you just need to push with your foot.
• Are very durable and can withstand heavy use- maximum weight 375lbs
• They are much better than having a chair mat under your floors.
• The best part is that it has no trace of rubber in it, meaning it is very safe for vinyl floors

Polyurethane Replacement Wheels

If your office chairs are made of standard plastic wheels which are hard to glide on, getting polyurethane wheels will instantly upgrade your chair function.

Main Features

• They are well made and durable- the armature is made from steel and diameter big enough for it to roll over carpet or a plush area rug.
• You get to swivel nice and easy on your floors when you need to.
• Polyurethane is safe on vinyl floors, it will not discolor or stain your floors like how rubber wheels would.
• They can support heavy weights well upto 650lbs.
• No more noise from sliding on your floors, you get a smooth and silent 
• It’s modern and stylish, just a nice pair of wheels for your office chair.

What To Put Under Your Office Chair to Protect Vinyl Floors

If you are not looking at replacing your current chair wheels or you do not have a rolling chair in your office. There are other options you can consider to protect your vinyl floors from office chair damage.

We have discussed the two options below. You can either go for a chair mat or an office rug altogether.

Chair Mat

For someone looking for a more steady surface and thicker protection for their vinyl flooring a thick chair mat made from material that is safe for vinyl floors is what you need.

Key Features

• Provide solid protection. Chair mats provide a thick and solid surface on which you can roll your chair and it shields your vinyl floors from office chair damage. 
• They are also non-slip with a backing that contains adhesive hence you won’t be gliding off your floors without notice.
• It’s an affordable option that is also long lasting.

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Chair Mat

Material 

There are several materials available such as pvc, tempered glass and polycarbonate chair mats. Polyvinyl chloride chair mats are the most popular and light weight. They are also crystal clear chair mats, which means you still get to see your beautiful new vinyl flooring right through it.

Polycarbonate chair mats come second and are more suitable for much heavier use and busy office setups.

Lastly, is tempered glass chair mats which is an expensive option. However, you get to save money in the long run as it outlasts any polycarbonate and pvc chair mat. It’s also environmentally friendly and accommodates weights upto 650lb without bending or cracking.

Chair Mat Backing 

Ideally you should go for a chair mat that does not move an inch and you can glide on your rolling chair without worrying about topping over.

However, for vinyl plank flooring avoid chair mats with rubber backing to make them non-slip as rubber will dicolor and stain your floors over time.

The backing should also be smooth and not rough to avoid marks on your floors over time.

Thickness 

The chair mat should be thick enough, for instance  ⅛” thick. This is to enable it to provide solid protection for your floors that will last you a long time.

Avoid flimsy and thin chair mats as the movement of your chair will transfer to your vinyl floors. It should provide a thick cushioning against office chair wheels.

Office Rugs

Unlike all the options above a solid area rug underneath will not only provide protection for your vinyl flooring from rolling chair wheels but your chair desk and other office furniture.

They will be functional and decorative for your office space.

Key Features

• They are soft and add warm place to place your feet as you work on your projects
• It adds to the decor of your office .
• An area rug is large enough to fit your work table and chair. You can glide around without falling off an edge and have to lift your chair back on.
• Very easy to clean and maintain by vacuuming.

Things to Consider when shopping for an Office Rug

Rug Backing 

The cotton backing is safe for vinyl and because you cannot use rubber backed rugs on vinyl flooring. Therefore avoid rubber backed rugs or alternatively get a felt rug pad to put underneath to protect the vinyl floors.

Rug Pile

It is a short pile rug which means your chair wheels can glide easily on it without much hassle.

As much as we love plush and shaggy rugs, those are not recommended for the office.

Material

Go for natural materials such as wool and avoid rugs that gas off. As you will be spending lots of time in your office you do not want to be smelling any rubber which ends up reducing the quality of air in your office.

See also bathroom rugs safe for vinyl plank flooring

What Office Chairs and Floor Protection You Should Not Put On Your Vinyl Floors

• Avoid rubber chair casters as those will discolor and stain your vinyl floors over time.
• Do not put rubber backed rugs or chair mats with backings such as tpr or latex as those will damage your vinyl floors eventually.
• Avoid thin and low quality chair mats because they will not provide the required cushion against the weight and movement of chairs on your vinyl floors.
• Do not drag your office chairs on vinyl floors. Instead go for chair glides for vinyl when moving furniture around.
• Avoid narrow chair legs as they will concentrate the weight on one spot and dent your vinyl floors.
• Avoid heavy office furniture on your vinyl floors. As those will dent your floors overtime or consider getting furniture pads to put underneath.

FAQ on Office Chair On Vinyl Plank Flooring

Can You Put Heavy Things On Vinyl Plank Flooring

You definitely can put heavy things on vinyl plank flooring as one vinyl plank can accommodate 500 pounds. 

However, you should put furniture pads underneath to cushion the vinyl flooring from indenting

What Kind of Chair Mat for New LVP Vinyl Flooring?

The chair mat to be used in an office with vinyl sheet flooring should not contain any rubber or latex backing. Otherwise the rubber will discolor and stain your vinyl floors over time. 

Good options to look at include glass chair mats or crystal clear glass look alike materials such as this one here.

Will Rolling Office Chair Damage LVP Flooring?

Rolling office chair can dent vinyl flooring overtime due to wear and tear from friction as you glide around. However, using a chair mat safe for vinyl flooring will protect your floor from dents.

How to Protect Vinyl Flooring from Office Chair

You can protect vinyl flooring from office chairs by using a chair mat, a rug or using felt casters rather than plastic ones.

See also Door Mats Safe for Vinyl Floors 

Conclusion

As we have discussed, having an office chair on vinyl plank flooring will slowly but surely leave behind indentation and groove marks on them. 

It is better for you to take precautions and save your expensive flooring from getting ruined. A thick chair mat which is long lasting and clear so that you can still see your beautiful vinyl flooring underneath it.

Alternatively you can go for felt chair casters to replace gliders and protect your floors.Replacing your plastic chair wheels with polyurethane wheels that glide more easily and durable made with steel armatures.You can also get a low pile area rug to place under your office chair

See also Rug Pads Safe for Vinyl Plank Floors