| If you're looking at ways to improve your efficiency | | | | caster. These are almost exclusively used to move |
| and productivity in the office, you might be looking at | | | | heavy furniture items--not something as light as a desk |
| the wrong things. Sure, having a good computer and | | | | chair. So for instance, perhaps you have a heavy |
| desk and printer are all important. But these are givens. | | | | cabinet or an oak desk. These might be well-served |
| There are other things that are too often | | | | by dual casters. |
| overlooked--things that, if they're left ignored, will | | | | More likely, for chairs, though, you'll be requiring |
| gradually eat into your office performance. We're | | | | single-wheel casters. These are used on chairs as well |
| talking about the little things. | | | | as other light furniture. The single-wheel caster is |
| Do you have paperclips, good, sharpened pencils, is | | | | usually made of a sturdy material meant to take a lot |
| your paper crisp enough to go through the printer. And | | | | of abuse. High-grade rubber is a common material. So |
| of course, are your office chair casters the type that | | | | even though you're using these for light-weight items, |
| allow you to move around with the freedom that you | | | | don't think of the casters themselves as 'light weights.' |
| need? Casters? That's right. To understand just how | | | | Indeed, they are designed to take a lot of rugged use |
| important these are, think about all the times you move | | | | for many years. |
| around the office from one place to another by rolling | | | | The third caster, the ball-type wheel, is also sometimes |
| from one spot to another. Now imagine if your chair | | | | used on desk chairs. In particular, if you're a person |
| had legs--and you had to either stand up or pick up | | | | who finds you need to move around the office a lot, |
| and move your chair. Suddenly you now see just how | | | | and prefer to do it while still sitting, then the ball-wheel |
| important the right office chair casters are, right? | | | | might be right for you. The ball-wheel is designed in |
| Furthermore, did you know that there are literally | | | | such a way that it moves in all directions easily. |
| dozens of different kinds of casters you could get for | | | | Perfect for the person who moves from his desk to |
| your office chairs? So this is not a topic to take lightly. | | | | the fax machine to the printer to a co-worker's desk, |
| Finding the right caster is important to helping you work | | | | and then back, several times throughout the day. |
| at your best. And make no mistake about it: Office | | | | Factor number two: Which material works best in your |
| chair wheels come in various models, shapes and | | | | setting. This depends mostly on the floor where you're |
| sizes. So how do you pick the best ones? It's not an | | | | chair is rolling around. A carpeted office works best |
| easy answer. There are two primary factors that you | | | | with a plastic kind of caster, while a harder surface |
| must consider to make the perfect choice. | | | | such as hard wood or tile will want a harder material |
| Factor number one: Which style of wheels will work | | | | such as urethane. Some people even use desk chairs |
| best for you. There are three main options: The | | | | in a factory setting. For those, where the floor might be |
| single-wheel, the dual-wheel and the ball-style wheel. | | | | something harder, such as concrete, an iron caster will |
| Each of these is best used in certain circumstances, | | | | work great. |
| so you first need to understand what your particular | | | | So what's the conclusion of the matter? There is no |
| needs are. To further complicate matters, even in | | | | "one size fits all' in the world of office chair casters. |
| these three categories are several sub-categories. | | | | You need to decide what kind of floor your chair will |
| That's right: Each comes in its own variety of functions, | | | | be on, and how much you plan to move around in your |
| sizes and weights. | | | | chair, to select the best casters for your office. Once |
| As we consider these three types of casters, we can | | | | you figure that out, you'll be on your way to making the |
| dispense almost immediately with the dual-wheel | | | | right decision. |