Choosing the Right Adjustable Furniture Glides: A Comprehensive Material Comparison
Adjustable furniture glides protect floors and furniture in schools, offices, and other institutional facilities. Various base materials are available for purchase to reduce sliding noise, minimize slipping, and prevent damage to furniture or flooring. Your best material choice will vary depending on your unique specifications.
What are Adjustable Furniture Glides?
Adjustable furniture glides go by many names, including leveling feet, levelers, adjustable feet, and others. They are formed by a threaded steel or stainless steel stud and a round base. Glides are most often used to level furniture and are used throughout a variety of industrial and commercial assemblies:
- Office, school, or residential furniture
- Store displays and fixtures
- Exercise equipment
- Commercial appliances
- And many others!
Casters vs. Glides
While furniture casters and adjustable furniture glides both attach to chair or table legs to protect flooring, they are separate products that serve different purposes. Casters are wheeled components that allow furniture to move easily without causing damage. Glides have a disc that fixes to furniture legs to echo the form and function of a traditional leg base.
What is the Best Material for Furniture Glides?
The glide base is the element that protects your furniture, flooring, or other surface, so selecting the right material for your assembly or facility is critical. Popular options include:
- Felt
- Steel
- Plastic
For specialty furniture, a custom-manufactured option may be required. Call 815-254-2313 to speak with a Superior Components Inc. furniture expert to learn more.
Felt Glides
When you require adjustable furniture glides that leave no streaks, create very little noise, and easily allow furniture to be moved, then felt bases may be for you. The softest material on our list, felt is a popular choice for schools, offices, libraries, and other locations with flooring made from:
- Hardwood
- Laminate
- Tile
- And other delicate surfaces
Despite these many advantages, felt adjustable glides tend to collect more dirt, dust, and other debris than other glides. They have a shorter lifespan compared to steel or plastic options and will need to be replaced with greater frequency to ensure continuous protection for furniture and flooring.
Steel Glides
Steel-based adjustable furniture glides are extremely durable and wear-and-tear resistant, making them ideal for heavy-duty furniture or industrial assemblies. Their exceptional strength and high-performance characteristics deliver dependable results, and they are particularly useful in carpeted areas.
Steel glides are generally more expensive when compared to felt-based or plastic-based glides. They are not suitable for every type of flooring, and they may leave streaks on tile or damage more delicate surfaces. When exposed to moisture, steel glides run the risk of rusting, meaning they are not the best choice for humid or wet environments.
Plastic Glides
Cost-effective and versatile, plastic adjustable furniture glides are an efficient choice for many furniture OEMs, repair projects, and more. Plastic glides are offered with optional non-skid capabilities and in an extensive range of styles, sizes, and plastic materials, such as:
- Low, medium, or high density polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polycarbonate
- Nylon
- POM (Polyoxymethylene)
Regardless of plastic material, plastic glides are suitable for most flooring, including wood, stone, tile, or carpet. Like felt-based glides, they are less durable than their steel counterparts and may need more frequent replacing.
Choose Superior Components for the Best Adjustable Furniture Glides
Superior Components sets the furniture industry’s standards for quality products, fast and friendly service, and competitive prices. Whether you’re looking for bulk adjustable glides or a different furniture component, our vast inventory and reliable manufacturing partners have you covered. Contact us or request a quote today to learn more about how we can support your furniture applications.
