What Can I Put Under My Furniture to Prevent My Hardwood Floors From Scratching?

Hardwood floors are made of natural woods such as oak or maple. Favored for their beauty and value, hardwood floors are smooth and durable but can be damaged when furniture moves across the floor. The furniture weight and edges leave scratches on the floor. It is easier and less costly to put floor protection under furniture than to repair the scratched hardwood floor. Does this Spark an idea?

Glides

Furniture glides fit on the legs or under the corners of furniture. Plastic or fabric-faced glides attach to the furniture and cushion the weight while providing a buffer between the furniture and floor. Some glides have steel sleeves that fit inside or outside chair or table legs and swivel to stabilize uneven chair legs. Tube-shaped snap-on glides fit over metal sled rails, preventing scuffing and scratching when the chair is slid along the floor. For furniture legs, plastic or rubber end tips fit over chair or table legs to reduce unwanted sliding and prevent floor scratches. Use recliner grippers under recliners to reduce chair movement and protect the floor.

Felt Pads

Felt provides a smooth surface that slides across the floor. Available in thin and thick round pads and in long strips, felt attaches by adhesive to the underside of the furniture. Long-lasting, the felt is quiet and easily replaced. Thick felt pads fit on chair or table legs much like metal or plastic glides. Sliders, protective pads for moving bulky furniture such as shelves or cabinets, are often faced with felt pads. The thick felt slides easily and reduces vibration, an important factor in moving fragile or glass furniture.

Carpet

Area carpet with rubber or other padding protects hardwood floors. When seating arrangements with chairs, sofas and tables are rearranged, area carpeting protects the hardwood floors and enhances room comfort. The area rugs stabilize furniture, reducing sliding and tipping, while softening room noise. Carpet and padding act as insulation, protecting the seating area from drafts and minimizing temperature spikes. Carpet strips under cabinets and other furniture protect the hardwood floor while absorbing vibrations between the floor and furniture. Special carpet pads, attached with adhesive, allow furniture to slide across the floor without gouging the floor or splintering the furniture edges.

Considerations

When moving furniture, use special floor protectors to minimize damage to the furniture, floor and your back. Furniture sliders fit under the corners or edges of heavy furniture or appliances and slide over the floor. Legs and edges fit on dense foam, preventing furniture from sliding off the felt-faced pads.