The Best Chair Mats for Laminate Floors

Texture

Avoid studded mats or mats with plastic grippers on the bottom. These chair mats are designed for carpeted surfaces and can scratch your laminate floors. Also, avoid mats with rubber backings, as they can stick to the floor or trap moisture that can cause the floor to warp. Choose smooth-bottomed mats that won't mar your floor.

Material

A hardwood chair mat blends in with your laminate flooring and has a smooth surface that protects your floor and allows the chair to roll easily. But hardwood mats are more expensive than hard plastic mats. A hard plastic mat made of clear or smoked plastic provides protection for less money than a wooden mat. The smooth surface won't scratch the floor and your chair will easily roll across it.

Design

A rectangular mat protects the area in front of your desk but won't protect the area under the desk. Choose a mat shaped to extend beneath your desk, so it covers the entire area where the chair wheels roll. Buy a mat with a tapered lip that will lie flat it something else bumps against it. Tapered mats are easier to sweep clean as well.

Care

When you clean your floor, lift up the chair mat and clean under it. Dirt and grit trapped under the mat could scratch your laminate floors. If you mop the floor, allow it to dry completely before you replace the mat, since trapped moisture can cause your laminate flooring to lift or warp. To keep the mat looking good, sweep it regularly and periodically damp mop it to remove dirt and scuffs.