ᐅ Who uses rubber pads instead of felt for supporting KALLAX shelves?

Hello everyone,

I am currently wondering: Who uses rubber pads instead of the usual felt pads under the feet of KALLAX shelves?

I have KALLAX shelves in several apartments and at friends' places, and most often they have the classic felt glides underneath to protect the floors. However, I have had different experiences regarding durability, especially with heavier shelves or in households with a lot of activity.

Rubber pads could offer advantages, such as better abrasion resistance, slip prevention, and pressure distribution on the floor – especially on wood or laminate flooring. I would like to know if anyone has experience with these, whether rubber pads are a practical and worthwhile alternative, and if there are any disadvantages, such as scratches caused by the type of rubber or issues with certain floor surfaces.

What do you use for your KALLAX shelves and why? Are there any manufacturers or specific products that you would recommend? Thanks for your feedback!

ivogau schrieb:
Rubber pads might offer advantages, such as abrasion resistance, slip prevention, and even pressure distribution on the floor

Hello,

I see the use of rubber pads as an interesting alternative, but it needs to be considered carefully. Many users choose felt because it is especially gentle on sensitive floors like parquet or laminate.

Rubber, on the other hand, can be more slip-resistant, but there are definitely cases where the opposite happens: Some rubber compounds can cause discoloration or even leave residues on sensitive surfaces after prolonged contact, especially when exposed to direct sunlight or moisture.

Therefore, I wonder: Are there reliable experiences or tests showing whether these risks actually occur with standard rubber pads used under KALLAX units with frequent use? Or are the benefits for floor protection only theoretical?

Additionally, it is important to check which types of rubber are used, as not all rubber materials are the same. Some are soft and provide good protection, while others harden over time.

What experiences do you have with long-term use?

I use rubber under KALLAX stands.

Advantage: Rubber slips less and provides better protection against pressure marks.

Disadvantage: On very sensitive PVC, rubber can leave marks. Be careful with the material combination.

LuMarcel43 schrieb:
Rubber can be more slip-resistant, but there are definitely cases where the opposite happens

This is an important topic. To add:

If you use rubber pads for KALLAX shelves, it is essential to pay attention to quality. There are many different types of rubber—natural rubber, synthetic rubber (such as EPDM), and so on. EPDM rubber, for example, is known for its high weather resistance and low tendency to discolor. This is certainly relevant for furniture used indoors.

The most important tip: always test on an inconspicuous spot before applying rubber pads over a large area on the furniture base.

I also recommend rubber pads with sufficient thickness—around 3 mm (0.12 inches) or more—to distribute pressure evenly and protect the floor. Thin rubber strips are less effective.

A brief guide:
1. Check the type of floor (laminate, hardwood, vinyl)
2. Choose rubber material (e.g., EPDM or natural rubber)
3. Test: leave a sample area with rubber adhesive on the floor for a few days
4. Apply rubber pad over a large area and check if needed

This helps minimize damage and optimize slip resistance.

One tip I often give: rubber has the advantage that it does not slide away, while felt pads can easily slip on smooth floors. Depending on the situation, rubber can be a very good solution.

ivogau schrieb:
What are your experiences with long-term use?

I personally use rubber pads under my KALLAX shelving units and have been very satisfied with this solution so far. It feels like the shelf stands firmly on the floor—no annoying shifting when cleaning or when kids are around. 🙂

On my laminate flooring, I haven't noticed any marks or residue, even after several months.

It’s important not to buy the cheapest type of rubber, but rather something designed for furniture or floor load—like rubber with a vinyl coating or special furniture pads.

A quick tip: installation is very easy—just stick the pads onto the shelf feet, press firmly, and you’re done. This works great for KALLAX since the feet are not round but square, which ensures good adhesion.

I’ll admit that felt pads are an option for very sensitive floors, but I prefer the rubber solution because of the stability. And yes, felt pads are a bit quieter, of course—but I can live with that. ;-)

keelko schrieb:
I personally use rubber pads under my KALLAX shelves and have been very satisfied so far

I agree with this. From a technical standpoint, rubber pads offer several measurable advantages compared to felt:

- High friction level, providing effective slip resistance
- Good pressure distribution, which protects both the floor and the shelf feet
- Longer durability compared to felt, which wears out quickly and can stick due to dust or moisture

There are standards and recommendations for floor protection materials under furniture (such as DIN standards) that identify rubber as the preferred material for higher loads.

However, it is important to choose a rubber quality that is both non-slip and gentle on the floor. Care should be taken with delicate surfaces like oiled hardwood flooring, as chemical reactions may occur.

In short: rubber pads are a durable option when the floor is not inherently sensitive.