The hidden cause of floor scratches could be under your chairs

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The hidden cause of floor scratches could be under your chairs

New floors. New chairs. Then the scratches start. Here is what to check before they get worse.

A guide by Chair Caps Australia

Clear felt silicone protector fitted to a timber chair leg, with another protector beside it
A felt silicone cap fitted over a chair foot.

You notice fine marks around the dining table, or hear scraping every time someone pulls out a chair. Before blaming your new flooring, take a look underneath your chairs.

1. Why scratches start around your chairs

Every time someone pulls out a chair, its feet move across the floor. Bare edges, hard plastic ends or worn pads can scratch the same area. If the marks started after you bought new chairs, check their feet first.

2. Scraping is another clue

If your chairs scrape loudly when you pull them out, inspect the feet and any pads already fitted. The sound is a reason to check, even before you notice scratches.

Dining table and timber chairs fitted with clear felt silicone protectors, with a loose protector on the floor
Check every chair foot, including the back legs.

3. Check what touches your floor

Lift a chair safely. Look for exposed edges, worn felt, missing pads or loose protectors. Remove trapped grit and follow your flooring supplier's care advice.

4. Stop chair scratches and scraping noise

Felt silicone chair leg protector showing its clear sleeve and soft felt base

Felt silicone Chair Caps stop chair-caused floor scratches and chair scraping noise on suitable hard floors.

The clear silicone sleeve grips the leg. The felt base keeps the chair foot off the floor, so chairs glide on felt instead of scraping.

Keep the felt clean. Replace worn caps. Trapped grit can still scratch a floor.

5. Get the fit right

  1. Check the shapeIdentify whether the base is round, square, rectangular or oval.
  2. Measure the baseRound legs: diameter across the centre. Other shapes: width and length.
  3. Choose your sizeMatch your measurements to the product's size guide for a snug fit.

Check front and back legs separately. Their measurements can differ.

Make sure each cap fits securely, with the felt base flat against the floor.

Count the legs. Four chairs with four legs each need 16 caps. Check the number of protectors in your chosen pack.

Stop chair-caused floor scratches and scraping noise.

Choose the shape and size for your chair legs.

Choose your shape & size

Round, square, rectangle and oval options.