What conditions do furniture casters need to meet?

Furniture casters are key to flexible movement and positioning, and their performance directly impacts the user experience, safety, and lifespan. Six key considerations should be considered when choosing a caster:

 

Load capacity: The primary consideration.

Single-person furniture (chairs, side tables): Single wheel load capacity ≥ 50kg.

Medium-sized furniture (TV cabinets, sofas): Single wheel load capacity ≥ 100kg (dynamic load capacity should be considered for sofas).

Heavy furniture (solid wood cabinets): Single wheel load capacity ≥ 200kg, preferably with a metal bracket and high-hardness wheels (such as polyurethane or nylon).

Safety margin: Allow a 20%-30% margin for the total load capacity (e.g., a 100kg piece of furniture with four wheels should have a single wheel ≥ 40kg).

 

Quietness: Enhance the user experience.

Preferred material: PU-coated or rubber wheels, which are significantly quieter than nylon and metal wheels.

Key structural features: Bearings (such as double ball bearings) and a smooth, even wheel surface texture.

Goal: Pushing noise <40 decibels (close to ambient noise).

 

Floor protection: Avoid damage.

Wheel tread: Moderately soft and hard (hardness A60-95). Choose rubber/PU for wood/laminate floors, and PU/nylon for tile/marble. Avoid pure metal wheels.

 

Design: Rounded, burr-free wheel rims; anti-slip/soft pads are added where the bracket contacts the furniture.

 

Stability and anti-slip: Ensure safety.

Layout: Distribute the number of casters appropriately according to the size/shape of the furniture (e.g., four corners). A wider wheelbase provides greater stability.

Brakes: Essential for furniture that requires frequent fixing (sofas, office chairs), requiring a secure, non-loose lock.

Brackets: Thickened metal (e.g., cold-rolled steel), with a bracket width ≥ 1/2 the wheel diameter, to prevent deformation and tipping.

 

Durability: Ensure long-term use.

Wheel: Choose rubber/PU for light household use; PU (more wear-resistant) is preferred for frequent movement (e.g., office chairs).

Bracket/Connection: Galvanized steel/stainless steel for rust resistance, ensuring secure connections without loosening or jamming.

Environment: For kitchens and bathrooms, choose waterproof and oil-resistant (PU); for outdoor use, choose UV-resistant (UV-resistant PU/rubber).

 

Installation Convenience and Compatibility:

Methods: Screw-on (most secure and universal), plug-in/clip-on (light load), adhesive (temporary).

Size: Wheel diameter is typically 30-75mm. Too small will cause difficulty, while too large will cause wobbling.

 

Additional Options (on request):

Universal casters (flexible steering) or a fixed and universal combination.

Shock-absorbing wheels (PU/rubber) cushion vibrations from uneven floors.

 

In summary: High-quality casters should meet the following requirements: sufficient load-bearing capacity, low noise, floor protection, stable stability, long life, and easy installation. For home use, choose PU-coated rubber-coated swivels with brakes; for heavy furniture, choose a metal bracket with high-hardness wheels.