Schoolhouse Products Presents
A Discussion of Furniture Glides in use in Education Facilities.
Guide for Glide Base Selection for School Furniture Glides
There are many styles and types of glides and bases offered on school furniture and for replacement of worn or damaged
school furniture glides. Different base styles and materials dramatically impact performance and that performance is different
depending on the flooring surface. While the correct choice of glide base can positively impact maintenance costs and
function, the wrong choice can be very costly and cause floor damage.
Typically, the most common floor surfaces found in schools are VAT (vinyl/asbestos tile) found in older schools built prior to
1990; VCT (vinyl composite tile) the replacement for VAT tile & now used in most schools since 1991; ceramic tile (rare);
wood (rare); and carpet (rare). Each floor has distinct strengths and weaknesses that call for different glides.
Here we will describe the various glide bases available and how they work with each of the common floor surfaces.
I) Standard Glide Alternatives from Artco Bell & Schoolhouse Products
Before discussing the factory installed alternatives from Artco Bell, it should be noted that the basic
housing for all glide consists of steel swivel glides with various surface materials (except for the Q-ball
glide). They all attach to the open end of the tubular frame with high tensile steel inside grippers,
(including the Q-ball) that are so firmly affixed to the glides that they are almost impossible to
dislodge. This contrasts with many competitive products which offer inferior plastic plug-in glides, or
rubber cap-over glides as a standard, then charge a premium for any swivel glide they provide as an
alternative. All standard glides from Artco Bell & Schoolhouse Products carry a limited lifetime
warranty.
1) Floor Saver Base Glide -Standard on Artco-Bell Chairs -Designed for VCT tiles. (No- Upcharge)
The Floor Saver Glide base provides a unique alternative to conventional base glides. The unique
patented shape of the Floor Saver Glide base pushes dirt and sand out of the path of the glide as
opposed to standard glide bases which run over the dirt and grind the dirt into the tile. By moving less
dirt under the base of the chair when loaded, the Floor Saver Glide base is much easier on VCT tile
floors. This translates into less floor damage and reduces the need for costly maintenance. While floor
maintenance is always important, floors with the Floor Saver Glide base furniture will not require as
much maintenance as floors with conventional base furniture. This reduces the need for floor
maintenance & will keep your floors looking better at a lower cost. By using the Floor Saver Glide, you
can prevent costly and unattractive scratching and marring caused by typical school chair glides on
VCT tile school floors. The Floor Saver Glide is for use on smooth floor surfaces such as VCT or VAT
tile & is not recommended for carpeted areas.
2) Nylon Base Glide (On Artco Bell Chairs We Call This An “All Purpose Glide”) -No Upcharge
By far the most popular furniture glide base historically, nylon bases are strong, economical, durable
and somewhat universal, able to be used on almost all floor surfaces. The biggest problem with nylon
base furniture glides is that over time, dirt and sand become embedded into the nylon base and on
softer flooring, such as VCT tile or wood, the nylon base with dirt embedded in it can become
abrasive and damage the floors. This can surely be prevented with diligent floor maintenance. But
many times, schools do not have the resources to devote to constant floor maintenance and this is
when floor damage can occur. Another drawback with nylon base furniture glides is that when
students slide chairs across the floor, the chair has the tendency to be quite noisy which some find
annoying and disruptive. Nylon is still the recommended choice for carpeted areas.
3) Steel Base Glide-(On Artco Bell Chairs We Call This An “All Purpose Glide”) -No Upcharge
Steel base furniture glides are usually more expensive than nylon base furniture glides but are less
likely to cause permanent floor damage in poorly maintained floors. Because the steel base itself is
very hard, the dirt and grit on the floors can not embed into the base, reducing the damaging effect
nylon base glides can have. However, on waxed VCT tile floors, steel bases have the tendency to
create unsightly black streaks on the tile which many find objectionable. These black streaks usually
can be removed by stripping and re-waxing but this is an expensive and tedious process to perform
properly. Also, because the steel base can rust when exposed to wet conditions for long periods of
time, some schools who use steel base furniture glides on carpet which is cleaned regularly opt not to
use steel bases, especially if the furniture will be placed on the wet carpet soon after cleaning.
77 Steelcase Road West, Units 1-3 Markham, Ontario L3R 2S5
Tel: (905) 475-7753
Fax: (905) 475-8380
4) Neoprene - Elastomer/Rubber Base Glide - Designed for VCT tiles - Small Upcharge
The most innovative initial glide solution for VCT tile floors is one made of elastomer/rubber/TPR.
This class of materials is a relatively soft rubbery plastic which provides a sticky, non-skid base for the
chairs. School chairs with these types of bases do not slide very easily across the floor. For students
to move their chairs the student have to lift his/her chairs in order to reposition the chair. This prevents
the chairs from sliding across the floor with any force or frequency which reduces floor damage from
scratching and marring and also reduces the annoying noise of chairs sliding across the floor. This
material is surprisingly durable, though not as durable as nylon or steel base glides, and is more
expensive, so requires an upcharge. Neoprene is not recommended for use in carpeted areas.
6) Q-Ball – Solid non-skid quiet glide. – Modest Upcharge.
The Q-Ball chair glide consists of a latex-free, non-marring grey PVC, which is placed on the chair
leg in place of a traditional chair glide. The Q-Ball is rounded in shape to minimize the footprint size
where it comes in contact with the floor and contains a non-reversing cap that is moulded inside to
deter chair tube cut through. Q-Ball glides offer two main features: they do not scuff the floor surface
(in fact act like the neoprene tipped glides above) & are very quiet in use. Available in two sizes to
accommodate various chair leg tubing: 1” and 1-1/8” & have a limited lifetime warranty.
II) Alternative Factory Installed Glides–Offered by Competitive Manufacture’s (Not Offered by Artco Bell)
1) Felt Base Glide (Emergency solution for VCT tiles -Not recommended as a long term solution)
Felt base glides provide a seemingly attractive alternative to standard glides. Felt is a much softer
medium than conventional furniture glide base materials and therefore provides a softer cushioned
feel for the furniture. Chairs with felt base glides will slide easily and silently across the floor. This is
very attractive to teachers and administrators who want to reduce noise in the classroom. Also felt
base glides can slide across the floor without causing scratching or marring. However all of these
benefits from felt base glides are temporary. Over time the felt base has the tendency to compress
and harden, especially if subjected to moisture. Once the base hardens and compresses it loses
some of its ability to prevent floor damage. Over time, dirt can become embedded into the felt and the
felt base that once prevented floor damage can ultimately cause it. Felt bases should be viewed as a
short term solution than other conventional glides, and for that reason most felt pads and caps are
replaceable so that when they become worn they can easily be replaced before damage can occur.
Also there are felt base glides where the felt can be integrated into the base of the glide and can be
sold with replaceable felt pads. But in either case maintenance cost for facility will increase
dramatically when felt tipped glides are used –since the felt will need to be replaced frequently.
2) Plug in –Plastic Glides
Many manufactures supply a plug-in nylon glide of PVC glide as a standard. These glides are very
inexpensive & provide a major cost savings to the manufacture’s. These glides generally need
replacement in 4 to 6 years range, adding dramatically to facilities maintenance costs. They tend to
scuff floor finishes & do nothing to reduce noise in a facility. The chief feature is low cost.
3) Rubber Cap push over Glides
Rubber cap over glides have long been offered on school chairs desks. They are very inexpensive
& in general do not scuff the floor surfaces. Because they don’t slide very easily, they tend to reduce
classroom noise. However they generally need replacement after 4-6 years time frame, and if not
replaced on time, the open tubing on the desk or chair can push through the rubber without much
warning & cause severe permanent damage to the floors. Again the chief feature is low cost.
77 Steelcase Road West, Units 1-3 Markham, Ontario L3R 2S5
Tel: (905) 475-7753
Fax: (905) 475-8380
III) Aftermarket Solutions
Glides Caps –fit directly over steel swivel glides.
These products fit directly over the existing swivel glide and are a cost effective way to update worn-out or inappropriate
glides. They come in a wide number of varieties.
1) Push on Glide Caps - (Offered by Schoolhouse Products)
This one piece glide cap fits 95% of all glides found on school chairs, desks and tables: they can be
ordered with a smooth finish (for carpets) or with a felt tip (for tile floors). The cap will fit over the
standard 1¼" diameter glide used on chair, desks and furniture made by most OEM (original
equipment manufactures). The felt glide caps can be installed in quickly & designed to stay in place
making it tamper proof for safety and security. The felt is contained inside a rim to prevent
deformation, flattening and increase longevity even under heavy loads and extensive usage. Felt tip
eliminates noise from sliding chairs (teachers love it!) and keep floors clean from scratching, marring
and damaging the vinyl floor surface. However they have the same issues noted above in the
discussion of felt tip glides-felt hardens, collects dirt & grit, & damages floors if not replaced regularly.
2) “Snap N’ Loc” Glide Caps - (Offered by Schoolhouse Products)
The cap has two halves connected by a hinge. The top half is slotted and slides over the original
glide shaft. The bottom half contains the felt and hinges perfectly to contain the metal or nylon bottom
of the glide. When you snap and lock the two halves together, it creates a Felt Glide Cap that will stay
in place permanently. Cap has the same felt tip as above push on glide cap & fits over any
1¼"diameter standard swivel tip glide. The main advantage of this glide is that it is attached to the
chair or desk leg more firmly then the push on glide cap noted previously.
3) “Smart Glide” Caps - (Offered Exclusively by Schoolhouse Products)
Schoolhouse has just introduced a new glide with all the advantages of felt cap over glides, but
none of the disadvantages. The “Smart Glide” cap is a 3 piece assembly that snaps together over the
existing swivel glide. The portion that comes in contact with the floor is a replaceable non-skid rubber
that is similar to the neoprene in the Q-ball type material noted previously. Substantially more robust
than the above products, upper haves are made from injection molded plastic. It is relatively
inexpensive & much longer wearing then the felt-tipped glides. It has an attractive appearance - in
contrast to the appearance of tennis balls.– It is also available with a felt tip insert.
4) Flexi-Felt - (Not recommended by Schoolhouse Products)
Flexi-Felt™ is a retro-fit glide cover with a felt tip that comes in contact with the floor. The felt has
the advantages noted previously; non-scuffing & noise suppression & the same disadvantages; noted
previously. These are a short term solution that requires frequent replacement & has weak
attachment to the chair or desk (they fall off frequently). In addition, Flexi-Felt™ needs numerous
sizes to be stocked since the diameter & thickness of each glide requires a specific size of FlexiFelt™. Flexi-Felt offers two alternatives- one style that stretches over the swivel end of the glide, and
another that slides over the lower tubing (over the plug in glides used). It is also relatively expensive.
5) Tennis Balls- Hush Ups (Not recommended by Schoolhouse Products)
In an effort to reduce noise from sliding chairs, tennis balls had been sliced open and placed on
chair legs. This is a solution originally used in the classroom with the hearing impaired students.
Tennis balls are made of a number of materials that are a source of respiratory irritants. Constant
wearing of tennis balls can produce fibers and cause off-gassing of VOC’s. Tennis balls are made
with a natural rubber latex bladder witch retains moisture (a perfect breeding ground for mold) which
becomes abraded when used as a chair leg pad. Use of tennis balls in this manner may introduce
latex dust & mold spores into the school environment. Some individuals are highly allergic to latex
(e.g., spina bifida patients). It is recommended that the use of materials containing latex be limited in
buildings to reduce the likelihood of symptoms in sensitive individuals.
77 Steelcase Road West, Units 1-3 Markham, Ontario L3R 2S5
Tel: (905) 475-7753
Fax: (905) 475-8380