Bumpers: Everything about applications, materials and advice
May 21, 2025
| Product | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| Bumper caps | - Universally applicable: suitable for doors, furniture, appliances, etc.
- Easy to apply (often self-adhesive) and usually inconspicuous (e.g. transparent or small).
- Absorbs shocks and noise, protects against scratches and dents.
- Available in many shapes, sizes and materials to suit a variety of needs.
| - Self-adhesive variants may come loose over time, especially with intensive use or if the surface has not been properly prepared.
- Not always suitable for carrying heavy objects for long periods of time (small caps can be crushed under extreme weight).
- With a lot of sliding movement (e.g. under chair legs that are often moved), rubber caps wear out faster or they can have too much grip (making it difficult for the furniture to slide).
|
| Felt gliders | - Excellent for preventing scratches on floors and allowing furniture to glide smoothly.
- Make moving chairs and tables, for example, almost noiseless.
- Available in nailable, screwable or self-adhesive form; easy to attach under chair or table legs.
- Ideal for hard floors (wood, laminate, tiles) where furniture is often moved, both at home and in the catering industry.
| - Felt wears out over time and needs to be replaced regularly, especially with intensive use.
- Not suitable for absorbing shocks or impacts; felt is softer and does not bounce back like rubber.
- Provides little cushioning when cabinet doors or appliances slam shut – bumpers are more effective in this case.
- Can trap dirt and sand in the felt, which can still cause scratches when sliding if not careful (regular cleaning is necessary).
|
| Rubber bumpers / profiles | - Very robust protection for heavier applications. Think of thick rubber strips on walls or columns to prevent collision damage, or large rubber blocks as a machine or door stop.
- Can withstand hard knocks without being damaged themselves. Long lasting, also for outdoor use or in factory environments.
- Due to its larger size, it is also suitable for protecting larger surfaces (e.g. a wide wall strip in a parking garage).
- Often mounted with screws or bolts for a permanent, sturdy result.
| - Much larger and more visible than small bumpers – less aesthetic in a neat living or office environment.
- Installation is more labor-intensive (drilling, screwing, etc.) and leaves permanent holes/sealant marks when removed.
- Less flexible in use: rubber bumpers are generally intended for one specific purpose (e.g. protecting a wall corner) and are not as universal as separate bumpers or felt pads.
- Can be relatively expensive to purchase, especially the special industrial variants or custom-made profiles.
|
| Doorstops & door dampers | - Specially developed to catch or keep doors open: e.g. fixed door stops on the floor or skirting board protect the wall against an opening door, while door closers/dampers allow the door to close gently.
- For door protection, these are often more effective than a small bumper, as they are stronger and can withstand impact better (some door stops contain springs or hydraulic damping).
- Simple door wedges are inexpensive and portable, useful for temporarily opening doors without installation.
- Aesthetically, there are many options (from metal design door stops to almost invisible door spring dampers), so you can choose something that suits your interior.
| - Limited to door services – they are less versatile than stick-anywhere bumpers. For example, a door stopper will not solve a vibration problem with an appliance.
- Fixed door stops must be securely fastened (screws into floor or wall), which requires installation and is permanent. Loose door wedges can get lost or shift.
- Hydraulic or spring mechanisms (such as soft-close door closers) are more expensive and require maintenance, unlike simple bumpers.
- Not every door problem can be solved with it (a door stop on the floor will not help against a rattling cupboard door – you will need a small buffer cap for that).
|
Conclusion comparison: for every type of situation there is a suitable solution. In many cases, simple bumpers already offer sufficient protection and cushioning. They are particularly ideal for light to medium-duty applications where discreet, flexible protection is sufficient - think of furniture, cabinets and appliances. Felt pads come into play when you want to move furniture a lot without scratching it, with the proviso that they do not absorb shocks. Larger rubber bumpers and special door stoppers are suitable for heavier loads, such as doors that swing open hard, industrial use or protecting fixed structures. The best approach is often to combine multiple products: for example, use bumpers in your cabinet doors and felt pads under the chairs, so that both your furniture and your floor are optimally protected.
| Product | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| Bumper caps | - Universally applicable: suitable for doors, furniture, appliances, etc.
- Easy to apply (often self-adhesive) and usually inconspicuous (e.g. transparent or small).
- Absorbs shocks and noise, protects against scratches and dents.
- Available in many shapes, sizes and materials to suit a variety of needs.
| - Self-adhesive variants may come loose over time, especially with intensive use or if the surface has not been properly prepared.
- Not always suitable for carrying heavy objects for long periods of time (small caps can be crushed under extreme weight).
- With a lot of sliding movement (e.g. under chair legs that are often moved), rubber caps wear out faster or they can have too much grip (making it difficult for the furniture to slide).
|
| Felt gliders | - Excellent for preventing scratches on floors and allowing furniture to glide smoothly.
- Make moving chairs and tables, for example, almost noiseless.
- Available in nailable, screwable or self-adhesive form; easy to attach under chair or table legs.
- Ideal for hard floors (wood, laminate, tiles) where furniture is often moved, both at home and in the catering industry.
| - Felt wears out over time and needs to be replaced regularly, especially with intensive use.
- Not suitable for absorbing shocks or impacts; felt is softer and does not bounce back like rubber.
- Provides little cushioning when cabinet doors or appliances slam shut – bumpers are more effective in this case.
- Can trap dirt and sand in the felt, which can still cause scratches when sliding if not careful (regular cleaning is necessary).
|
| Rubber bumpers / profiles | - Very robust protection for heavier applications. Think of thick rubber strips on walls or columns to prevent collision damage, or large rubber blocks as a machine or door stop.
- Can withstand hard knocks without being damaged themselves. Long lasting, also for outdoor use or in factory environments.
- Due to its larger size, it is also suitable for protecting larger surfaces (e.g. a wide wall strip in a parking garage).
- Often mounted with screws or bolts for a permanent, sturdy result.
| - Much larger and more visible than small bumpers – less aesthetic in a neat living or office environment.
- Installation is more labor-intensive (drilling, screwing, etc.) and leaves permanent holes/sealant marks when removed.
- Less flexible in use: rubber bumpers are generally intended for one specific purpose (e.g. protecting a wall corner) and are not as universal as separate bumpers or felt pads.
- Can be relatively expensive to purchase, especially the special industrial variants or custom-made profiles.
|
| Door stops & door dampers | - Specially developed to catch or keep doors open: e.g. fixed door stops on the floor or skirting board protect the wall against an opening door, while door closers/dampers allow the door to close gently.
- For door protection, these are often more effective than a small bumper, as they are stronger and can withstand impact better (some door stops contain springs or hydraulic damping).
- Simple door wedges are inexpensive and portable, useful for temporarily opening doors without installation.
- Aesthetically, there are many options (from metal design door stops to almost invisible door spring dampers), so you can choose something that suits your interior.
| - Limited to door services – they are less versatile than stick-anywhere bumpers. For example, a door stopper will not solve a vibration problem with an appliance.
- Fixed door stops must be securely fastened (screws into floor or wall), which requires installation and is permanent. Loose door wedges can get lost or shift.
- Hydraulic or spring mechanisms (such as soft-close door closers) are more expensive and require maintenance, unlike simple bumpers.
- Not every door problem can be solved with it (a door stop on the floor will not help against a rattling cupboard door – you will need a small buffer cap for that).
|
Conclusion comparison: for every type of situation there is a suitable solution. In many cases, simple bumpers already offer sufficient protection and cushioning. They are particularly ideal for light to medium-duty applications where discreet, flexible protection is sufficient - think of furniture, cabinets and appliances. Felt pads come into play when you want to move furniture a lot without scratching it, with the proviso that they do not absorb shocks. Larger rubber bumpers and special door stoppers are suitable for heavier loads, such as doors that swing open hard, industrial use or protecting fixed structures. The best approach is often to combine multiple products: for example, use bumpers in your cabinet doors and felt pads under the chairs, so that both your furniture and your floor are optimally protected.
