Use Floor Protectors
One of the best options is to use furniture floor protectors under the file cabinets. These are pads made of felt, rubber, or plastic that go under the legs or base of furniture to prevent scratches, dents, and other marks on the floor. They evenly distribute the weight and act as a buffer between the hard metal and the softer vinyl.
For file cabinets, using circular felt pads at least 1-2 inches in diameter under each leg is recommended. Make sure the pads are large enough to adequately bear the weight. The thicker the pads, the more protection they will provide.
Try Cabinet Risers
Another method is using risers designed for file cabinets and desks. These are sturdy platforms that lift the cabinet off the floor by 2-4 inches.
Risers come in different materials like wood, steel, and heavy-duty plastics. Having the file cabinet elevated decreases contact with the vinyl flooring, reducing the chance of damage. The risers absorb impact and spread the load over a larger surface area.
Risers also allow you to easily sweep and mop under the cabinets without needing to move them.
Use a Protective Mat
Placing a protective vinyl or carpeted mat under the file cabinets is another viable option. The mat creates a barrier between the metal cabinet base and the vinyl floor. It helps protect from scratches, indentation marks, and flooring discoloration.
Use a high-quality, non-slip mat in a size that extends beyond the file cabinet footprint on all sides. The mat should be thick enough to provide adequate cushioning.
Regularly clean underneath the mat to prevent any moisture buildup on the floors.
Proper Cabinet Placement
Where you set the file cabinets on the vinyl flooring also matters:
- Avoid high-traffic areas where they are more prone to getting bumped into. This increases chances of floor damage.
- Distribute weight evenly by filling lower drawers first before upper ones. Overloading top drawers can make the cabinet unsteady and tip over.
- For heavy cabinets, consider anchoring or bolting them to the wall for added stability. Trying to move extremely heavy freestanding cabinets can strain and scratch floors.
- Allow a few inches of space between cabinets and walls. This lets you clean around and behind them without dragging across vinyl floors.
- Place cabinets in areas with consistent, moderate temperature and humidity levels. Extreme or rapid environmental fluctuations could shorten the lifespan of vinyl flooring.
Use Floor Protective Mats Under Chairs
For desks and workstations where chairs will be rolled around over vinyl flooring, use protective chair mats. These will shield the flooring from chair legs gouging or poking into the vinyl when moved. Avoid rolling office chairs directly over vinyl floors whenever possible.
Be Gentle Moving File Cabinets
When moving metal file cabinets around on vinyl flooring, take precautions to avoid scratches or tears:
- Lift cabinets to carry rather than dragging or sliding them. This reduces friction against the flooring.
- Remove drawers to lighten the load before moving cabinets. Less weight decreases the chance of gouges forming when lifting or setting down.
- Lay down plywood sheets or cardboard on the flooring as temporary smooth runways to roll cabinets over.
- Don’t pivot or spin cabinets in place. Instead, fully lift and set them down in new positions. Twisting and rotating can grind dirt against the vinyl.
- Go slowly and get assistance moving especially heavy cabinets to avoid slipping or dropping them, which can damage flooring.
Get Cabinet Glides or Roller Casters
Some metal file cabinets come equipped by the manufacturer with attached glides or casters that allow rolling the cabinet over floors. These make it easier to move the cabinet without dragging across vinyl flooring.
If your file cabinets don’t have built-in glides, you can buy roller casters to attach to the base yourself. Look for casters rated to handle the weight capacity of your loaded file cabinets for safety.
Summary
Protecting vinyl floors when using metal file cabinets requires distributing weight properly with furniture pads, risers or mats. Be gentle moving cabinets, avoid rolling office chairs over vinyl, and use protective pads under chairs at desks. With some simple precautions, you can keep both your file cabinets and floors looking great.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good floor protector pads to use under file cabinets?
Felt pads around 2 inches thick work well. Name brands like X-Protector and Scratch-No-More make high-quality felt furniture pads. For heavy cabinets, soft rubber pads or molded plastic may hold up better long-term.
Should I anchor or bolt file cabinets to the wall?
For stability with very heavy filing cabinets, anchoring to the wall studs using brackets or bolts can be wise. This prevents tipping risk that could damage vinyl flooring. But it may not be necessary for lighter cabinets.
Can I place file cabinets on vinyl plank flooring?
Yes, vinyl plank (or luxury vinyl plank) is a resilient, durable form of vinyl flooring. Use the same precautions recommended for solid vinyl by distributing weight properly. Vinyl plank is more dent-resistant than sheet vinyl.
What thickness of plywood should I use under rolling file cabinets?
Plywood of at least 1/4 inch thickness is suitable to lay as a temporary floor runway for moving file cabinets. Thicker 5/8 to 3/4 inch plywood provides more protection.
Should I put my file cabinet on a area rug or vinyl mat?
Yes, using a rug or vinyl mat can add an extra layer of floor protection. Make sure the mat extends several inches beyond the file cabinet footprint. Tuck edges under to prevent tripping hazards.