Updated with pics! Anyone here use a glass chair mat?

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bbhaag

bbhaag

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Jul 2, 2011
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So wasn't sure were to post this as there really isn't a sub for office furniture but I figured OT would be a a good fit.
Anyway, I was thinking about getting a Lorell Tempered Glass Chairmat and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Not necessarily this brandbut glass chair mats in general.

How well do they hold up long term? I'm tired of the plastic ones getting divots in them were the casters of my chair make contact.
Do they chip easily? Being glass I'm sure they can chip but tempered glass is pretty strong.

So does anyone here use one? If so let me know how you feel about it. If you use a different brand link to it so I can check it out.
 
Captante

Captante

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They certainly look really cool ... I would need the 60 inch though and at $148 its pricey. Of course a big high-quality plastic one is still at least $75 or so anyway.

My current plastic cheapo is about to split so I'm in the market for a new one too ... be sure to report back if you pull the trigger.
 
IndyColtsFan

IndyColtsFan

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bbhaag said:
So wasn't sure were to post this as there really isn't a sub for office furniture but I figured OT would be a a good fit.
Anyway, I was thinking about getting a Lorell Tempered Glass Chairmat and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Not necessarily this brandbut glass chair mats in general.

How well do they hold up long term? I'm tired of the plastic ones getting divots in them were the casters of my chair make contact.
Do they chip easily? Being glass I'm sure they can chip but tempered glass is pretty strong.

So does anyone here use one? If so let me know how you feel about it. If you use a different brand link to it so I can check it out.
Click to expand...

I use one but not that model - the one I have is rated for 1000 lbs and is solid, but it was also $250-$300. I’ve dropped heavy things on it and haven’t noticed any cracks or chips. The only negative thing I can say is that it does tend to slowly slide on my carpet even with some rubber stops on the bottom. Maybe I need to put more of them on the bottom (i just have them in the corners), but at any rate, I usually have to adjust it a little every week. Still worth every penny IMO.

EDIT: This mat is what I bought and is now $231.

 
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bbhaag

bbhaag

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Captante said:
They certainly look really cool ... I would need the 60 inch though and at $148 its pricey. Of course a big high-quality plastic one is still at least $75 or so anyway.

My current plastic cheapo is about to split so I'm in the market for a new one too ... be sure to report back if you pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
This is exactly how I feel. After buying a couple of the 3M plastic ones and having to toss them because of cracking, discoloration, and divots I thought giving a glass one a try might not be a bad move.

IndyColtsFan said:
I use one but not that model - the one I have is rated for 1000 lbs and is solid, but it was also $250-$300. I’ve dropped heavy things on it and haven’t noticed any cracks or chips. The only negative thing I can say is that it does tend to slowly slide on my carpet even with some rubber stops on the bottom. Maybe I need to put more of them on the bottom (i just have them in the corners), but at any rate, I usually have to adjust it a little every week. Still worth every penny IMO.

EDIT: This mat is what I bought and is now $231.

Click to expand...
Its cool that you've used one if you don't mind me asking how long have you had it? I assume because it's glass that it is heavy so how hard it is to move?
Thanks for the link to a different brand I'll check it out.
 
ViviTheMage

ViviTheMage

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Sooooo I was in this boat before. I had very plush carpet, like almost 3/4" thick stuff + whatever the padding was. So I got the most expensive plastic mat I could find that claimed to do good in up to 1.25"...yeah, it was garbage. It flexed and made a divot in about a week. Found the glory that is glass mats and picked one up. I actually grabbed the one you did, but from schoolspecialty.com, because well, it's cheaper there, haha.

Lorell Tempered Glass Chairmat, Clear

Shop Lorell products online today! A full assortment for all your Chair Mats needs! Shop Furniture products at School Specialty.
www.schoolspecialty.com www.schoolspecialty.com

They have 3 sizes, I got the smaller one because I was skeptical, but damn it works great. I have had it about 2 years now, moved once, never breaks, smudges, chips, or anything. Works wonderfully, will never get a shitty plastic one again.

EDIT: I should add, I also tried out plywood + tile, and that felt tacky IMO. I also couldn't roll off and onto the carpet and get back on because of the really high sides of the plywood. I have hit the edge of the glass one numerous times without chipping it.

Also, at that price, how are glass mats not standard? polycarbonate is just garbage in comparison. Comparing to @IndyColtsFan linked one. The Lorell ones are rated at 1,000 lbs as well.

More thoughts as I think about it: I am about 220lbs, and I've had both my kids on my chair, plus me, on the mat. So pushing 300lbs and it's never questioned it's existence either.
 
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IndyColtsFan

IndyColtsFan

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bbhaag said:
This is exactly how I feel. After buying a couple of the 3M plastic ones and having to toss them because of cracking, discoloration, and divots I thought giving a glass one a try might not be a bad move.


Its cool that you've used one if you don't mind me asking how long have you had it? I assume because it's glass that it is heavy so how hard it is to move?
Thanks for the link to a different brand I'll check it out.
Click to expand...

I’ve had mine for over 2 years. Readjusting and sliding on the carpet is pretty easy, but my mat was around 50 lbs and due to the physical size, was kind of a pain to carry upstairs by myself.
 
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Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

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May 24, 2003
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I feel it could shatter at some point if you just happen to lean the right (wrong?) way and the wheel happens to be on a tiny weak spot or something. Glass can be weird like that. It's a very hard material but if you put pressure at just the right spot you can cause a ripple effect where the whole thing just shatters.

Another route might be to change the wheels of the chair, you can get 3rd party wheels that have a larger diameter and are made for hard surfaces and they won't damage it as much.
 
bbhaag

bbhaag

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@IndyColtsFan and @ViviTheMage thanks for the first hand feedback it's exactly what I was looking for. Seeing as both of you have had yours for over two years without any issues it makes me more confident if I decide to pull the trigger on one.
As far as making my own chair mat or not having my computer area not carpeted...well those aren't really an option but I appreciate the input.
 
snoopy7548

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I'd be careful with rolling your chair off/on the mat. Tempered glass tends to shatter when struck on the edge.
 
D

Dranoche

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I had no idea tempered glass chair mats existed. Gave up on the cheap plastic ones years ago. Might have to get one of these.
 
bbhaag

bbhaag

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IndyColtsFan said:
Because my office is one of the spare bedrooms in my house? Even when I've worked in an office, they always have had carpet.....
Click to expand...
Exactly, it's not always possible to have a hard surface under your PC. My PC isn't in a spare bedroom like yours but it is in the 2nd floor family room and as you can see from the pic I've attached it just wouldn't be possible to add hard surface flooring. At least not without some serious protest from my wife lol she likes the "warmth" that a carpeted surface brings to certain living spaces.
kO7nZfC.jpg
 
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snoopy7548

snoopy7548

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bbhaag said:
Exactly, it's not always possible to have a hard surface under your PC. My PC isn't in a spare bedroom like yours but it is in the 2nd floor family room and as you can see from the pic I've attached it just wouldn't be possible to add hard surface flooring. At least not without some serious protest from my wife lol she likes the "warmth" that a carpeted surface brings to certain living spaces.
kO7nZfC.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice setup! Just need some blacklights, posters, and lava lamps!
 
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bbhaag

bbhaag

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So I pulled the trigger on the 48x60 mat. I used the store that @ViviTheMage linked to as it was only $90 shipped vs $157 through Amazon for the same size which IMO seemed like a no brainer even though the ship time is a little bit longer.

I also purchased a new chair while I was at it. I went with the Bush Business Furniture Studio C High Back Executive Office Chair to match the Bush Business Studio C desk I have. I'll post some pics up when they arrive and let everyone know my initial feelings about a glass chair mat.
 
bbhaag

bbhaag

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The family room is very cozy. The sloped ceilings and rectangular shape throw off just how big it really is so I think that it was gives it it's cozy feel. It's a little over 350sq.ft. and that doesn't include the closet, cubby, and furnace room.
 
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gorobei

gorobei

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you could look into caster wheels for carpet. they are pretty much just inline skate wheels unless you get the sideways roller type.
 
bbhaag

bbhaag

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Just wanted to update this thread real quick and give my initial impressions of a glass chair mat. I've only had it for a day so I can't say to much about the longevity.
My initial impressions are it's very thick and heavy weighing in at just under 66 pounds so it feels relatively strong for glass anyway. I'm 180 pounds and don't think it will break under my weight. The surface feels slick under my feet. Duh its glass but maybe its the material my socks are made but it just feels slick. Has a green tint to it. Being tempered glass that is a 1\4" thick this makes sense. Not to bad just wish it was more clear.

Anyway, those are just a couple of my initial thoughts after one day of ownership. As time goes on I'm sure I will get used to it and either love it or hate it.lol I will say it does have a nice look to it and gives my PC space a more premium/high end vibe. Thanks again to @ViviTheMage for suggesting School Specialties website. $90 vs. $157 at Amazon was a no brainer even if it took a little longer to ship.

So here's a couple of pics to show you guys how it looks under the desk and with the new chair.

59wvt2F.jpg

SMlv942.jpg
 
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