Castor Wheels and Office Chairs: a Buying Guide

Do you know the benefits that can be obtained when using castor wheels on your office chairs? Castors allow you to move easier, offer ergonomic support, and prevent you from having to drag your chair from one place to another. So, what happens if your chair doesn’t automatically come with casters or the current castor wheel breaks? Purchasing new ones is simple, as long as you are aware of a few buying guide tips.

Do you know the benefits that can be obtained when using castor wheels on your office chairs? Castors allow you to move easier, offer ergonomic support, and prevent you from having to drag your chair from one place to another. So, what happens if your chair doesn’t automatically come with casters or the current castor wheel breaks? Purchasing new ones is simple, as long as you are aware of a few buying guide tips.

Purchasing New Office Chair Castors

Measuring the Caster- The first step in choosing the right replacement castor is measuring the old one. Castor wheels are sized by using the diameter. To measure this, you will need to use a ruler or a tape measure. The actual size of the wheel isn’t that important. If you’re replacing the castor, you can choose a new castor of the exact same size or size up or down to your liking. Smaller castors will place the chair lower to the ground, while larger ones will increase the height of the chair.

The stem, however, is important and must remain the same size as the old castor stem in order to fit the chair correctly. Measure this part by removing the old caster from the chair and using a ruler or tape measure to determine the length of the stem. Keep in mind that any differences in the top of the old stem and new stem won’t matter; if the old stem is flat and the new is round, the castor will still fit.

Choosing the Best Caster- The next (and last) things to consider when purchasing castor wheels for your office chair are the type of wheel you want. Consider for a moment how well the previous castor worked. Did it roll smoothly over the carpet? Were there static issues that prevented you from doing your job correctly? Was the chair a bit “too giving” on your chair mat or hardwood floor? These considerations will let you know whether or not the previous castor you were using was the right one for the job.

If it wasn’t, take some time to explore the various options you have for castors. There are many different kinds that are available, and not all of them work well on every floor type.

For instance, soft wheel castors are required when using an office chair on a hard surface. Without this type of wheel, the chair won’t have it grip it needs to stay in place and will slip and slide all over the place. This may not be a problem for a teenager who has the leg strength to hold the chair in place, but for an elderly person or a distracted adult or child, this can be a disaster waiting to happen.

Hard casters are just as important when it comes to carpeted areas. Soft castors won’t work with this type of flooring; their grip will be too strong and will make it very difficult for the user to move the chair. This may not be a direct hazard, but it can cause injury and strain over time.

Want the best castors for your office chairs? Measure the stem and diameter of the castors you’re replacing and make sure to choose the correct type of wheel for the flooring in your office.