Comments on: Snapmat Wooden Chair Mats

By: PMC

PMC — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:42:43 +0000

…I might add, a better idea that I am going to look into is buy a small amount of hardwood an mount it on 3/8 inch underlayment; I’m thinking that would be thick (rigid) enough to go over carpet. This way, you can buy and install a transition strip around the perimeter for a finished look.

The only drawback is that I suspect that the cost of doing all that work will be end up close to just buying a pre-made floor mat. The real wood would lok nice though – that’s what I am trying to achieve.

By: PMC

PMC — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:33:33 +0000

Bill…FYI…I thought about doing exactly what you’re proposing, to save some money. In the end, though, I suspect that one would end up spending a lot of time and labor only to wind up with an inferior product (veneered plywood) that probably won’t last too long without maintenance (indentations, scratches & re-varnishing from damaging casters) and probably won’t look too good (it will look like a piece of plywood).

How would you propose finishing off those exposed (rough) plywood edges? What about durability? What thickness would you propose?

Also, remember, plywood does not always lay flat; it’s not made for this purpose. You would probably need a ¾ inch thickness plywood, especially if you’re going over carpet. Also, the last time I bought veneered plywood in ¾ I think it was closer to $50 dollars.

By: Joi

Joi — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:47:51 +0000

Hi, Bill. Thanks for your comment. That sounds like a really cool (and gorgeous) idea. As long as my cat didn’t mistake it for the clawing opportunity of a lifetime, I’d love that sort of hook up.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:29:10 +0000

Those mats are a rip off. You can buy a 4′ x 8′ piece of plywood that has either a birch or maple or oak laminate surface (both sides) for $32 at a home improvement store. Have them cut it in half, then stain it to your liking, lastly adding a couple coats of polyurethane for durability, and for less than $45 (less than a crappy plastic mat) have a beautiful mat that’ll last for years. Just my .02 worth.

By: Joi

Joi — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 22:10:42 +0000

They are handsome, at that. After I posted about them, I took a good long look at our plastic guys. The longer I looked at them, the more reasonable these prices looked to me. – Joi

By: Chrispian

Chrispian — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 17:00:58 +0000

Considering the quality of these mats I say they look well worth the price. I would love to have one that matches my desk but like you I can’t spend almost as much on my mat as I did on my chair! My chair was $250 and went on sale and I had a coupon so I ended up paying $150 ish for it. The mats start at $189! I suppose if I had the chairs we use at work (Aeron Chairs – almost $1000 a pop) then these mats would be a must.

They do look damned good though!