Answer
Aug 17, 2015 - 11:38 AM
In most cases, indentations are the result of using a chair mat that is too thin for the carpet it sits on. It is important to measure the thickness of your carpet before you choose your chair mat.
| How to measure carpet thickness. | |
 | Straighten the end of a paper clip, then sink it into the carpet, through the backing, until it reaches the floor. |
 | Grab the paper clip at the point where it's flush with the carpet. (Be sure you're not matting down the carpet with your hand.) Measure the distance between your fingers and the end of the paper clip. That's yiour carpet's thickness. |
Once you know how thick your carpet is, you'll know what type of chair mat you need.
 |  |  |
| Carpet: 1/4" thick or less. Chair Mat: up to 1/8" | Carpet: 3/4" or less. Chair Mat: up to 3/16" thick. | Carpet: Over 3/4" thick. Chair Mat: 3/16" or thicker. |
Chair mat thicknesses are approximations and vary across brands. However, the carpeting terms are universal. Let the chair mat names and descriptions be your guide. When in doubt, go with a thicker chair mat. Your chair mat can never be "too thick." The thicker the chair mat, the more comfort, support and floor protection it provides.
You can find more tips for choosing the proper chair mat in our Chair Mat Buying Guide.
