What Kind of Glides Are Recommended for Hardwood Flooring?

Felt Glides

• Felt glides are a common choice for protecting hardwood flooring. Wool felt is durable and offers excellent protection to your flooring. Felt glides are available in several designs. Adhesive pads can be attached to the feet of the furniture. These pads are best used for stationary furniture, such as tables. Frequent movement may cause the adhesive to loosen. Nail-in and tap-on glides are often used on wood furniture. These glides can be easily installed with a few taps of a hammer. Snap-on glides are designed to fit most chrome or metal chair legs. Clean the felt pads on a routine basis. An accumulation of sand or dirt could cause scratching to your floor. Replace worn felt as soon as possible.

Nylon Glides

• Nylon glides are an attractive choice due to their scratch-resistant properties and durability. Their smooth surfaces slide easily over flooring. It is necessary to keep the wood flooring free of dirt and grit when using nylon glides. The hard surface may grind sand into the flooring and cause scratches. Combination glides, with nylon bases and felt cushions, offer the durability of nylon and the protection of felt.

Metal Glides

• Most metal-based glides are nickel-plated. They are designed to be used on any type of flooring. Metal-based glides are used in residential settings but are most commonly used in institutional applications, such as schools. They are extremely durable and offer excellent scratch protection. However, if the nickel plating becomes worn or damaged, the glides can cause substantial scratching to a wood floor. Metal glides are an attractive choice for bed frames or other heavy furniture that isn't frequently moved.

Casters

• Casters are typically seen on office and kitchen chairs. The wheels allow ease of movement across flooring surfaces. Casters work well on wood flooring, but you need to choose the correct type. Casters are available in either hard or soft wheels. You should always use a soft wheel caster on hardwood flooring. Hard wheels may not scratch the surface but have the potential to leave grooves in the wood.