Choosing Castors Wisely

By Author: Mark Farrell
Total Articles: 56
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Although most castors may look relatively harmless at first glance, the use of an incorrect model can cause damage to the surface or surfaces they come into contact with. And so it is of the utmost importance when deciding which model to choose that all factors are considered. Therefore, when choosing castors for offices, homes, laboratories, factories or any other area it is essential to match them not only with their purpose, but also with the surface on which they would be operating. Consequently, what may work for one type of flooring may not work when used on another one? There are a wide variety of floors nowadays such as concrete, vinyl, laminate, carpet or wood. Castors, as is well known, are made from many different materials, come in a multitude of colors, sizes, and varying designs. So how does one choose the correct model to match the floor on which it would be used?

Wooden and laminate floors would best be protected by elastic rubber wheeled castors. These are made using soft rubber which is molded onto wheel rims made from cast iron, aluminum, nylon, polypropylene, or steel. The choice of rim largely depends ...
... on the maximum load it is required to handle and the device to which they will be fitted. These types of castors naturally cushion sensitive cargo and also provide a quiet operation. Polyurethane wheels are another safe option for wooden floors. Polyurethane wheeled castors are stronger and are more resistant to oils and grease. They are also a smoother roll and can negotiate almost any surface with the same or higher load as that of soft rubber castors.

Probably one of the best options for carpeted floors is nylon wheels. In offices where floors are more often than not carpeted, the nylon choice an ideal one. Although there maybe exceptions to the rule, generally it is believed that soft rubber castors are compatible with almost any type of flooring surfaces, provided they are used properly. On the other hand, polyurethane models operate on all floors, except on soft wood, vinyl and concrete. Nylon castors on the other hand are the least compatible with flooring surfaces, working better on carpeted floors. As there can be many variations, it is very difficult to have a hard and fast rule. However generally speaking, castors and the surfaces they are meant to be used on share an almost inversely proportionate relationship. In other words, castors made out of soft material are ideally suited for hard floors, while those made from hard material are best for soft carpeted floors. The most prudent answer, as with most things, is to call a specialist in order to have the surface in question evaluated before deciding.