NEVER use "protective" mats on hardwood floors! (WnW
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2019
- They destroy the finish. Let's see if I can fix that up.
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📃Build Article: www.wordsnwood.com/2019/floor/
I installed oak hardwood floors in our home over a decade ago. In one room, we have a few desks, as that is where my wife and I work on the computer. I knew that office chairs mar the finish of hardwood floors, so I bought us some of those vinyl "floor protecting" mats.
This was a HUGE MISTAKE. I should probably have just used the chairs right on the floor.
The problem is that grit would gather along the edge of the mat. No matter how clean you keep your house, over the months and years, little bits of grit and dirt do come into the room. And the grit gets under the edge of the mat where it proceeds to grind into the wood like sandpaper.
I finally had enough of ignoring the problem. I bought protective rubber wheels for our office chairs, and threw out the mats. Now it is time to clean the floors, pick out the grit, and apply some new polyurethane finish to see if we can save the floor before it gets even worse.
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🗜 LINKS TO SOME OF THE ITEMS USED:
(Most of these are affiliate links. If you buy through these
links it helps support my channel. Thank-you so much!)
amzn.to/30aedBO -- Our replacement chair wheels
amzn.to/2M0qbEI -- Other options for hardwood floor protecting casters
amzn.to/302OP1l - Varathane Floor Finish
I could not find an exact match on Amazon for the particular floor finish I used. Instead this is a link to a more general Amazon search, which does include other options from the same company.
However, just for completeness, here is a link to the actual Rustoleum product page for the finish I used: tinyurl.com/yxdl3xxx
📸 GEAR I USE TO MAKE VIDEO:
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amzn.to/1SSwOmS - Sony Action Cam. (I use the HDR-AS15 which is discontinued -- cheaper than a gopro.)
amzn.to/267XM3M - Sony Live View video remote for Action Cam
amzn.to/2NddVjk - But I do also have a GoPro Hero 5 Black
amzn.to/1XC2D7l - Joby GorillaPod (Flexible small tripod)
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Interesting, I can say with experience that without a matt I completely destroyed my flooring :P
I was told to use a tempered glass mat by the company that put our floor in. Im sure its heavier and its flush with the floor. My floor got busted up by my chair, I had them look at my floor.
l always put down an area rug first and then a plastic protective mat on top of the area rug. 15 years later, no problems or wear spots. Fabric is very forgiving. Also makes cleaning easy because the area rug just slides out of the way with the slightest encouragement so never a chance for grit to build up underneath.
I modified my chair to protect my hardwood. I pulled the wheels off, made blocks of wood to replace the wheels and stuck felt pads to the bottom of the blocks. The chair doesn't move as easy now, which turned out to be a good thing. That fix looks pretty good. Hardwood floors are like a pair of jeans... they should have a lived-in look!
Solution - put a piece of carpet under the mat
I would replace the casters with the rollerblade type wheels. Those are more gentle on the hardwood floor although will still wear it a bit over the years.
I always recommend felt replacement wheels for office chairs to my customers. Mats are never recommended over hardwood for this reason.
How soon did you put the mat down after you stained and poly’d? Oil based poly needs at minim 14 days to cure but better for 30 days. If you put down mats or rugs before it cures then you risk this happening.
Oil based varnish might have made a better match, it also adheres a bit better. As for the rubber wheels - don't use them. I used casters with rubber wheels on hardwood, and the grit just sticks to them. The floor ended up really dimpled.
You don’t clean your floor as you should, that’s all.
Good job, I had a feeling the fix would be pretty good even if not perfect, let's say it adds character.
Looks a whole lot better now Art. Good fix.
Thank you. I was on the fence about getting an office chair mat!
I was thinking of getting a mat because the office chair doesn't move well on our hardwood, but I definitely won't now. Thanks for sharing
I've had great results with the replacement wheels on my wood floor. Thanks for the video.
That turned out pretty nicely!
Thank you!!! Was just about to buy a couple for my new hardwood floor. The things you find on UA-cam! :)
This was interesting and informative.
Try large rollerblade clear wheels. That's what I've used to replace my office chair wheels. Always important to keep the floor and your wheels as clean as possible.