Strong but Sensitive
There are a few words that immediately come to mind when the word marble is spoken. Words such as expensive, careful, and exquisite are a few. Something made of marble is something to be treasured, no matter how large or how small. However, because marble is very heavy, it is often considered to be very durable. In some ways this is true and in some ways it is not. Marble is a heavy material, but it is also porous and therefore can be damaged in certain ways. An example of this is marble floors. Marble floors make a stunning presentation and impression; however, they do require special care and attention in order to maintain their lustrous appearance.
Ways to Prevent Damage
In addition to the methods of cleaning and products used, another detail to consider when caring for marble floors is the type of furniture and equipment that may be used and moved over it and the way in which that movement is handled. It is not practical to have a room in which nothing can be moved through it, and therefore, there are ways to make sure that items being moved over the marble floor will be less likely to scratch and damage the floor’s surface. One way to prevent unwanted damage on marble floors is by utilizing certain types of casters on the furniture and equipment that needs to be moved.
Technology of the Times
With today’s technology there are many different types of casters available. There are several different parts that make up a single caster and therefore each different part has certain specifications that contribute to how the overall caster functions. There are different methods of attachment, different types of wheel materials, different types of brakes and more. In regards to how the caster interacts with the ground surface, the most important factor to consider is the material of the wheel. In general the wheels are available in a variety of materials, including: performa, performa conductive, polyolefin, polyurethane Hi-Tech, phenolic, cast iron, maxim, and thermo.
Which Material is the Best?
When considering the best type of material to prevent damage on special types of hard floors it is often better to go with a softer material such as one of the different types of rubber. Metals and plastics can tend to have the ability to scratch sensitive surfaces. Additionally, harder materials that are heavier can have a tendency to push small particles such as dust, dirt, and sand into the surface of the floor. And these small particles are one of the most common things that can do the greatest damage a marble floor.
Many Other Details to Consider
Although the material of the wheel is one of the most important details to consider when it comes to protecting different sensitive floor types there are still many different options of casters available. Therefore, there are other details to consider when it comes to choosing the right caster. As previously mentioned there are different types of mounting methods available, the way in which the caster is attached to the furniture or equipment that it will be moving. Some of the available connector options include: top plate, threaded stem, stainless steel, expanding adapter stem, square stem, grip ring stem, pipe thread stem, modular stem, top plate swivel, and the kingpinless top plate.
The Science of Selection
Even within the basic options available there are many different combinations that can be made, thereby creating very specific casters. To help determine what type of caster would make the best match there are some preliminary questions that can be posed that will aid in determining the best type of caster for the job. The priority of the situation must first be considered. In a case where the floor needs to be protected, the answer to what the floor type is will aid in determining the wheel material. Then other questions can be asked. Questions such as: what exactly needs to be moved? And how often will it need to be moved? What exactly is the item and does it need special care due to size, weight or fragility? How will the casters be attached to the piece of equipment or furniture that needs to be moved? Does the item need to be made stationary for any length of time in an area where it might have the possibility of rolling? As you can see, each of these questions can be directly traced to a certain aspect of the caster. Determining the answers to the questions will help to determine the best type of connector, the best type of wheel material, the best finish for the metal, and whether or not brakes will be needed. Posing a series of questions helps to make the selection of the caster more of a science and helps to take the guessing out of the equation.
Knowing Which One to Choose
Making the right choice among so many options can be a difficult and challenging task. We at Douglas Equipment, know and understand this. We have been in the business for more than 50 years and continue to use our industry knowledge to help our clients and customers with making the best choice for their business needs. We strive to continually share our knowledge of the industry with our customers and we always make it a goal to have products in-stock and available at the best prices. We want our customers to truly understand the products that they are considering and to be able to make the decision that will be of the best benefit to them and their business needs. Please contact us Toll-free at 1-800-451-0030, locally at 305-888-3700, or by faxing us at 305-883-9563. You can also reach us electronically by contacting us through the Contact Us section on our website. We look forward to helping you ask the right questions and helping you to choose which casters are the best ones for your company’s needs.
