Archive: Sep 2018

Glass Chair Mats vs. Plastic Chair Mats

Business owners and employers are constantly looking for ways to stand out from the competition. This is true not only in terms of the products and services they offer, but in the compensation and benefits they offer to prospective employees.

Although workers certainly find additional time off and year-end bonuses important when mulling job offers, small things in the office can make more of a difference than you might think when it comes to attracting and keeping employees.

One area in which today’s employers are looking to improve is the look and feel of their employees’ most used spaces — their desk or cubicle. To that end, many employers are starting to place chair mats at every desk in the workplace, not just the boss’ office.

For years, most chair mats have been made with plastic. Recently, however, glass chair mats have become the preferred choice for companies looking to enhance their work environment, improve employee satisfaction, and redefine their workspace. Below, we break down the advantages of glass chair mats over their plastic counterparts.

Glass Chair Mat vs. Plastic Chair Mat Cost

When it comes to cost, plastic chair mats are generally cheaper than glass chair mats. Plastic chair mats, however, are much less durable than their glass counterparts. Since they wear out much faster, they need to be replaced more often. In contrast, glass chair mats can theoretically last forever, and they remain fresh-looking through years of use.

The cost of replacing a plastic chair mat might not be a deal breaker for a small company with a few employees. For medium- or large-sized companies, however, these costs can add up quickly. From that perspective, a glass chair mat is a much better long-term investment.

Glass Chair Mat vs Plastic Chair Mat Appearance

Glass chair mats win hands down in terms of aesthetics. Their sleek and sophisticated look makes the workplace seem more refined. Even though glass can get dirty from time to time, it’s easy to clean and maintain with basic glass cleaner.

On the other hand, plastic chair mats tend to get scuffed and dirtied the longer they are used. Even if they can still be cleaned and do not need to be replaced, cleaning them takes more effort.

Glass Chair Mat vs Plastic Chair Mat Customization

Glass chair mats, unlike their unsophisticated plastic cousins, can be highly customized to fit the interior design of any office environment.  Solid backpainting (in any color) is the basic customization option.  For a truly custom workspace, the glass can be digitally printed with any design.  The print can emulate wood or stone, or even grass or a sports surface.  The possibilities are endless.

Glass Chair Mat vs Plastic Chair Mat Functionality

Plastic chair mats can become dented over time, becoming much less visually appealing. Just as importantly, rolling an office chair over a dented plastic mat creates friction that can make movement and even sitting uncomfortable.

Moreover, when it comes to putting a chair mat on different surfaces, e. g. carpet and wood, plastic chair mats are not a one-size fits all solution. As a result, you might need to purchase mats of different thicknesses to ensure that the underlying material is protected.

In contrast, glass chair mats can hold much more weight without being impacted. In fact, M3’s glass desk mats can carry weights of up to 1,000 lbs. without compromising their functionality. They can also be used at any thickness on any surface without damaging it.

An Easy Decision

While plastic chair mats remain a popular amenity in today’s offices, it’s clear on balance that glass chair mats offer superior performance while adding a clean and professional look to your workspaces.

If you’re looking to enliven your workplace with glass chair mats that speak to your company’s values, M3 Glass can help. We work with architects and businesses to create custom-designed glass products for any space. Regardless of your needs, we can provide glass chair mats with superior functionality, in ANY custom color or custom print!

Download our Customizing Your Space with Design Glass eBook to find out how else you can tailor your space with decorative glass!

The Function of Glass Marker Boards

Glass marker boards are the next evolutionary step up from the whiteboards and chalkboards found in offices, sports facilities, hospitals, and other institutions everywhere. High-quality glass marker boards are more durable, customizable, and visually appealing than their predecessors.

Unlike whiteboards, glass marker boards can be custom-manufactured to meet a variety of customer requirements. For example, the back of a glass marker board can be made with the customer’s preferred colors, rather than just white. Magnetic glass can also be used to organize papers and projects increasing the functionality of both the glass markerboard and wall space.

Glass Marker Boards Function

Glass marker boards are more frequently taking the place of the traditional whiteboards and chalkboards used for presentations, meetings, and collaboration. With chalkboards, there’s always a risk of breathing in the dust from the chalk used in writing on them. Glass marker boards are safer, as marker pens are made from non-toxic materials. This type of board comes in a wide range of options to suit any need.

Glass marker boards can be cleaned more thoroughly than whiteboards—pen scratches and ink stains are common on whiteboards, and even thorough wiping may not eliminate them entirely. Since glass marker boards are completely non-absorbent, wiping them clean with a piece of cloth results in a much cleaner writing surface that always looks fresh and new.

Glass marker boards feature a modern, eye-catching appearance, improving the aesthetic value of any space with both elegance and functionality. Also, unlike chalkboards and whiteboards, glass marker boards are not contained within a frame. They may be mounted in a fixed position on a wall or remain free standing, allowing them to be moved easily between rooms.

Applications

Glass marker boards can be customized to match an office’s color options. Because they are available in large-sized formats, glass marker boards can be used for almost any type of room. Examples include:

• Education/classrooms
• Common areas
• Meeting rooms
• Breakrooms
• Conference rooms
• Hospitality centers
• Sports facilities
• Healthcare (nurse stations, patient rooms)
• Office interiors

Glass Marker Boards from M3 Glass

Glass marker boards have a high degree of potential across myriad industries. M3 Glass’ extensive experience with manufacturing and customizing Glassboard Markerboards allows us to address a wide range of technical specifications, including type, size, and style. With M3 Glass, customers are assured of the best quality, value, and cost on every glass order.

To learn more about customizing your space with design glass solutions from M3 Glass, check out our guide, Customizing your Space with Design Glass, or contact us.