Hello AT,
I'm looking for a rug that I can put under my desk chair (an Aeron) to protect my floors while I'm rolling around.
I really like the look of natural fiber rugs, and have noticed that bamboo rugs are really inexpensive, and I know that bamboo is supposed to be really tough.
Do you think a bamboo rug would hold up well under a rolling desk chair? Specifically I'm thinking of buying this one, the Bellagio bamboo rug.
Thanks! Carmen
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Carmen, although I do not have an answer for you, I do know that if you call the Natural Rugs company they'll be able to tell you or recommend the best rug for your application. I have received helpful information from them by calling, inquiring about the different properties as I have a puppy and, although I love natural fiber rugs, I don't want her chewing at rugs. Believe it would depend on the thickness of the bamboo, your weight, the weight of the chair, however, from the looks of the photo they've used at their site, I think it's probably strong enough for your chair as they have heavy furniture on the bamboo rug.
I've had a bamboo rug from crate & barrell under my rolling desk chair for 2 years, and with a good rug pad it holds up really well. Occassionally thin pieces of the bamboo peel off but it doesn't really affect the look or function, and you can even mop the bamboo. It's a great cheap solution.
I would go with something very non-fluffy like maybe a sisal or something. Our aerons we had back in the dot com days were leave nasty grease streaks on the white carpet we had at the time, so be careful about that.
The "Industry Rug" from CB2 might look cool with the mesh and black plastics of the Aeron:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=170&f=2615&viewall=1
-t
what about those chipwich sp? woven rubber rugs. i'd worry that natural woven sisal would constantly disintergrate under those rolling wheels.
Speaking of Chilewich, if you are in NYC there is a Chilewich sample sale going on right now (until Friday) at 231 W 36th St between 7th & 8th. Check clothingline.com for details.
I would try Flor carpet tiles - these work well under a rolling chair.
yeah, wheeled office chairs have run paths on my wood floors. I'm partial to big plain old tufted machine washable latex backed BATHROOM rugs but I guess greazy wheels wouldn't work with them. As it is, I keep the floors bare because I'm always just about to really clean the floors.
Not exactly the answer to your question, but many office chairs will offer a caster for hard surfaces. Most are equipped with casters for use on commercial carpet. Check with Herman Miller for details.
I use the same plastic floor protector at home that is used in my office. It allows me to wheel around without worry or harm to our wood floors. It's transparent and creates and defines the boundries of my home workstation.
As for bamboo rugs, we use several throughout our apt. They look beautiful, are great with kids and dogs and have saved us from having to redo floors while still enjoying the look of wood. Highly recommend bamboo in high traffic homes.
Here's a bamboo solution I found in doing a quick google search:
http://www.shop.com/op/~The_Bamboo_Office_Chair_Mat-prod-12092327-18211253?sourceid=298
I've had a bamboo mat from Pottery Barn under my desk chair for a couple of years (not an Aeron, unfortunately). Works great! Seems quite durable. Actually it seems to work better over time, since at first the bamboo kind of crackles and makes sounds from time to time, but now it doesn't even do that. Bamboo it tough, although I'm sure the quality of the bamboo makes a difference. It's by far the best solution I've found yet for a chair mat under an office chair. Highly recommended!
I've wondered about this problem too and here is what I am about to try. Having been in the architecture profession AND having been around a while, I remember the days of drafting tables and these covers we put on them that were pliable but offered consistent smooth surfaces - the material was called Borco I believe - could be the mfg's name. Borco came in a clear version (as opposed to off white / pale green)that was very cool looking and very durable. I am going to give this a try as it would be very subtle, enable you to see the wood underneath, and protect the floor.
Hello,
I work at Herman Miller and under my Aeron chair, I have a small plastic circle mat. i like it because it is clear and does not take away from the appearance of the rug.
Whatever you decide to go with, make sure you have the right casters.
Take care,
Shannon Fitzpatrick
shannon_fitzpatrick@hermanmiller.com
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need a quote on Herman Miller product.