Chair Mat for Carpet Recommendations (Thick Carpet)

ozbargainsam on 22/10/2023 - 14:39
Last edited 22/10/2023 - 14:40

It's time for a new chair mat. I've had this 10+ year old one from OW (seems to be better made than the current crop) and it's finally time to put it out of its misery.

This mat is a like-for-like replacement (at a higher quality). This is one I'd get if there are no other comparable options, but it's rather pricey ($270) and doesn't include shipping. I'd be okay with the cost since it comes with 12 years warranty, and I expect to pay for it over that many years.

I've searched the forums but only one really sticks out but I'm concerned by it's longevity. See older reviews about curling up at the edges after only a year.

None of the OW/Bunnings/IKEA ones would work, either for size, carpet depth (20mm with underlay) or general quality.

Are there any other options I can look into, fellow OzBers?

Home & Garden Mat

Comments

  • Richardc on 22/10/2023 - 15:17

    Try BBQ mat

  • AustriaBargain on 22/10/2023 - 15:20

    For computer chair? I'd look at getting castors that will easily roll on carpet instead.

    • ozbargainsam on 22/10/2023 - 15:24

      No thanks, I'd rather not wear out my carpet.

  • sumyungguy on 22/10/2023 - 15:21

    Have you considered tempered glass? $277 via Amazon: https://amzn.asia/d/4seK7vj

    • ozbargainsam on 22/10/2023 - 15:26
      +1

      I like the aesthetic appeal of glass but I don't think I want to introduce that anxiety into my life (yes I know it's likely safety glass but that's not the point).

      Besides, it's about as expensive and probably even more if I wanted a larger one.

      Thanks for the suggestion, though.

    • dafatha on 23/10/2023 - 09:09

      I've been using one of these for years, it's great. https://www.bunnings.com.au/architects-choice-1200-x-1200-x-…

      • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 10:01

        I'm very intrigued by this idea but it's quite thick, which would be a tad annoying when you roll off the edge.

        Pricing, availability, quality (made to AS) make this quite compelling if not for the usability issue, maybe needs a rubber seal/surround something…

      • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 10:26

        Any thoughts on the (balustrade glass](https://www.bunnings.com.au/architects-choice-600-x-970-x-12…) instead?

        The pool fencing are all specific heights and that has narrower panes and I would want a piece to under the desk so there's a continuous 'mat' when I roll the chair under my table (when the table is in stand-mode).

        • dafatha on 27/10/2023 - 00:23

          The 12mm thickness isnt too bad, I dont roll off it much due to the size of mine, I've got a 1500x1200. When I do roll off I lift my chair wheel instead of trying to roll back on.

          The balustrade glass is just a different size.

  • mskeggs on 22/10/2023 - 16:22

    Is there season the $25 ones on ebay are unsuitable? I have had the type with point studs for carpet and the flat sort, both have lasted well.

    • 87percent on 22/10/2023 - 16:52
      +1

      As someone with plush carpet, the cheaper ones don’t penetrate enough and they slide around which is super annoying

    • tebbybabes on 22/10/2023 - 17:24

      Plus with very plush carpet, the castors just form indents in the carpet protector. From experience though, I've been using IKEA kolon ones. They're not perfect and they move a bit, but at least they're strong enough that I don't have indents on it.

      Another option I was toying with, if and when I get tired of the Ikea hard plastic mat is potentially an acrylic sheet. if I can get one large enough - similar to the tempered glass suggestion.

      • ozbargainsam on 22/10/2023 - 18:02

        Happy to give the IKEA one a go if you're also using them on thick carpet and they're fine. How long have you had them?

        The outgoing mat I'm rolling on now is 4mm thick, compared to the Kolon ones at 2mm, though.

        • tebbybabes on 22/10/2023 - 22:01
          +2

          The carpet I'm using it on is thick. I just don't know if it's quite as thick as what you have to use. My oldest one that's still in use is from 2016.

          Like I mentioned, I don't get the annoying divots/indents that I got with vinyl mats. However what I've noticed with mine is, it's failure mode is, when someone is sitting on it, the edges can start rising a few mm. Enough that I've hit them with my toes while walking, which I've found incredibly annoying.

          Good luck in your search. And if and when you find a suitable carpet protector, I'd be more than happy to hear about it.

  • dtc on 22/10/2023 - 20:16
    +1

    If you don’t want glass, try marine/outdoor carpet with a rubber base

    • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 08:44

      Given they're not a hard/stiff mat, how does that go on thick carpet and the 'roll quality' of the chair on top of it?

      • dtc on 23/10/2023 - 09:47
        +1

        the base is pretty stiff, it has PVC backing (I use this one https://www.bunnings.com.au/standard-carpets-1000-x-1000mm-c… ). Not very stylish though. But you will sink a bit in thick carpet simply because its not a solid mat

        You wont get anything that rolls easily on thick carpet unless you get something that is hard. Not roll mat hard, but glass or wood hard. The suggestion above https://www.bunnings.com.au/architects-choice-1200-x-1200-x-… is the one that meets all your requirements; trying to find a unicorn roll mat that does everything you are after is going to be a long search

        If you are worried about the glass, buy the glass and then put a roll mat on top of the glass. Or some poly carpet like the one I've linked. You could go cheaper and just buy a thick plywood board (structural) or particle board and then put a mat on top of that

        • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 10:16

          My comparison for roll quality on a chair mat are the hard PVC chair mats (4mm thick), which is what I'm coming from. Wasn't asking for a hard-floor-like replacement necessarily.

          And yup, as I replied to above, the pool fence idea is extremely worth considering.

          However, just thinking of it now, it is a standing desk, and glass might be fatiguing after a while - might need a mat for my mat…hmmm.

  • Barbados Slim on 22/10/2023 - 20:31
    +1

    I can vouch for my matshop mat - have used it for ~3 months on a heavy pile carpet and been impressed with quality

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 23/10/2023 - 07:56

    Having a few rentals and been thru many carpet mats. Best one so far (bought over 3 years ago) is from Costco. Sturdy, super heavy. Cost over $60 from memory.

    • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 08:45

      Is it on the Costco website? Care to share a link?

  • macca9123 on 23/10/2023 - 08:39

    I've been using one from matshop for 4 years and its still in great condition. Paid $207 at the time and it still has many years left in it. The one I got was: Chair Mat Heavy Duty for Thick Pile Carpet 1170 x 1500mm

    • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 08:48

      Sounds like the same mat as I'm getting, just slightly longer. Good to hear it's working well after all these years, but I guess I was never really doubting matshop's quality given their price/warranty.

      • Pumpkin_rrr on 23/10/2023 - 11:30

        Sorry we bought it when we're instore, not sure about link.
        That was few years ago, and we bought 3.
        If you are member you can search or message them?

        • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 11:45

          (you replied to the wrong comment, anyway)

          I'm not a member (and not nearby) so I'd need a product page to be able to compare it to the other options.

  • ufohunter on 23/10/2023 - 09:25

    I have a couple of marbig brand polycarbonate ones from The Stationary Store and use it on fairly thick carpet. One is still going strong but the other has cracked in under 2 years. They are used by my sons but the one that cracked is the one is the used by my younger/lighter son who weights under 60kg. I just checked their website and notice the price is now roughly double what I paid in Nov 2021.

    • ozbargainsam on 23/10/2023 - 10:17

      I guess that means I should stay away? Marbig's just another of those cheapish brands that OW (used to?) stock, iirc.

      Thanks for your suggestion and review, though.

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