The polycarbonate chair mat UtilMat from Cleartex was bought in replacement of another plastic chair mat
that showed (after about a year of use) chair-leg marks and cracks. The replacement shows none of these, so far,
about 2 months of use. I am very happy with the quality of this product, which also arrived promptly. Cleartex UltiMat Polycarbonate Chair Mat for Low/Medium Pile Carpets - up to 1/2 Inch Thick, 0.09 Inch Gauge, Clear 47 x 35 Inches, (118923LR)
I am beyond pleased with this chair mat so far. Typically, I like to wait in order test out anything I buy prior to writing a review, but this time I couldn't wait.
I work from home, so I am in my office all day. My previous chair mat was purchased from Office Depot for something like $30-$40, and within a couple days after bringing it home, the cracking started. After about 5-6 months, there had been so much cracking and buckling that my feet were starting to sometimes get scraped when attempting to move the chair. And moving the chair was almost impossible as it would get stuck in all the cracks. This does not work well when you are working between two different computers.
Needless to say, I looked to Amazon to get a replacement instead of going to an office supply store. My new Cleartex chair mat was received a couple days ago, and there is a complete difference. Instantly, I could tell the quality is much better. The mat is very thick and not too pliable. Now my chair can actually move freely without much effort. For the last two days, I have smiled after sitting down in my office chair when I used to curse and grumble every morning. What a difference! It's weird to say, but I love, love, love my new chair mat!
I've had this for a few months now. Its been great so far. I kind of wish I got the one that would be better for thicker carpet. This one is probably mainly for office use, and not for thick high quality carpets. It does slide quite a bit, however in terms of build quality its great. This chair mat does not bend and its quite strong. With cheaper chair mats, after sitting on it, they will usually start to bend or sink when the chairs feet are. This chair mat will not do that at all. I suggest getting the bigger chair mat from this brand because this one is kind of small but that was my fault for not measuring.
The edges on this mat curl up. I have had it a little over a month and it is in a bedroom with very light use. The edges lift up and it does not lie flat and flush with the carpet and so it has become a tripping hazard. Do not recommend this mat for purchase.
This is a highly satisfactory product. After experiencing disappointment with two other locally purchased mats, this is a real comfort. It is everything it is portrayed to be. Just remember, it is a bit on the small side, but that just happened to be exactly what I needed in a limited space.
First off Amazon needs to change the picture that goes with this product. It is NOT for hardwood floors! The back has spikes/grippers to help the mat stick to the carpet! Note also this is for Low/Medium Pile up to 1/2 inch thick carpet only because the spikes/grippers are not large enough to work with a thick, plush carpet. The mat itself is stated to be 0.09 Inch Gauge. I don't know how things like mat thickness is measured so that number meant nothing to me at all! Also on the product picture it looks to be perfectly square, but it does have a lip on it. When the mat arrived it was shipped flat and easy to open. When my husband lifted it out of the box the first words out of his mouth were "it seems thin". On his lifting it out of the box it did have movement "play" in it not totally stiff at all. When it was put down on the floor it hugged the carpet perfectly. The chair rolls easily on it. We are using it with a chair at our computer table. I'm small, but my husband is large so we both took turns sitting down on the chair. So far no problem at all, but I am interested especially since my husband is large (6" 3 and 1/2" tall with a weight of around 220 lbs) how well it will hold up in the long run. It does say it will support weight up to 250 lbs. So we will have to see how it goes since we just got it today. If there are any problems that develop, I will update this review. Update: 6/24/11-I'm glad to see that Amazon has changed the picture for this product. While people should read the description of the item some just look at the picture and then are disappointed because the product doesn't match the picture. But it still interests me that the weight limit is still not listed in the product description and the product description still ends in a "comma" like there was more there and it got dropped. Believe me I didn't come up with the 250 lbs. weigh limitation on my own! We have now used the mat for over a month and it still looks like it did the day we first put it down. And since my husband and I take turns using the computer there is never a day that the mat doesn't get used. Update 8/17/11 - well the "comma" was taken off the product description and there is no mention of a weight limit. I would say Amazon corrected the comma, but I don't know who eliminated the weight limit? As for the mat it is still in perfect condition. It looks the same as the day we got it!
This mat works as advertised when you can get it to stay in one place. I have to readjust it almost daily, as the teeth aren't holding it in place - and I do have low pile carpet! One of the rare times I regret buying a product unseen from Amazon instead of checking it out personally beforehand.
Outside of the constant sliding, my chair rolls great and smooth on the mat and it hasn't developed any fissures after a month of ~6 hours per day use.
Only time can tell when it comes to wearability but one huge advantage over ones I've had in the past, it came flat as opposed to rolled, allowing it to lay down flat in an instant rather than possibly hurting your hands on the bottom prongs that hold it in place on the carpet while trying to unroll it, unrolling one of these and getting it to lay flat on the floor can be a daunting task. Quick shipping and reasonable price are two more reasons I'm happy with this purchase. - Floor Mat - Chair Mat - Chairmat'
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