Hard or Soft Tread Castor Wheels? Here’s How to Decide

April 21, 2014

Ross Castors

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They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions, and it definitely explains the reason that castors were created. Unlike regular wheels, castors allow your equipment and machines to move easily front, back, and side to side. They also carry heavy load, roll easily across all types of flooring, and some are even made with materials that prevent bacteria and germs from spreading.

When it comes to casters, choosing one depends on your specific needs. Each one is different and serves a specific purpose. Take for instance, the wheels of the castor. Some are soft and some are hard. Selecting one over the other is a choice that will be dependant on one particular aspect of your work environment.

Hard or Soft Castors: Choosing

Whether you’re attaching castor wheels to office chairs, equipment, or furniture, choosing between hard and soft wheels depends mainly on one thing: the type of flooring. Hard casters should only be used on carpeted surfaces, while soft castors should be used on hard flooring.

Why is this important?

Damage- Hard castors that are use on hard flooring surfaces, like tile and wood, can slide easily and scratch the floor. While the damage may not be noticeable at first, over time the damage will increase and your floors will look unpleasant.

Ease of Use- Hard castors are made to glide easily over carpeted surfaces, while soft castors are not. Choosing the wrong one for your equipment or chair can mean you’ll have difficulty moving from place to place. Because ease of use is the reason you purchased and installed the castors in the first place, this is a very important factor to keep in mind.

Safety- As mentioned before, hard casters slide easily over hard flooring- almost too easily. The problem with this is that they can easily slide when you’re least expecting it. This could put you or your equipment at risk and may result in injuries to yourself and anyone standing in the way.

I Have the Wrong Castor. Now What?

If you purchased a chair or piece of equipment with the wrong castor, or you accidentally bought the wrong caster for your equipment, don’t panic. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to throw the castors out. You have two choices.

Purchase the Right Casters- One of the great things about castors is how easily they can be removed and installed. If your furniture or equipment came with castors already, you can purchase new and replace them quickly.

Use a Mat- Did you purchase a hard castor, only to realise it might scratch your hardwood floor? If the castor is used on equipment that is moved often, it will need to be replaced. However, if it’s on an office chair that sits in front of a computer all day, there are other options: use a floor mat. Purchasing a carpeted floor mat will keep your hard caster from sliding so much and make your work environment better. If the problem is a soft castor on carpet, try purchasing a hard mat to place beneath it.

Trying to decide between hard and soft wheel castors? Your decision depends on the type of flooring the castor will be used on. Choose wisely to reap the benefits of both kinds of casters.