Piano Casters: What They Do and How to Protect Your Floor
Piano casters are the small detail that an instrument of several hundred kilos rests on. Most upright pianos have four small casters underneath, and a grand piano has three, one at the end of each leg. They let you move the piano a few centimeters for cleaning or rearranging the room, and above all they carry its weight to the floor, so they're worth getting to know.
Casters that carry weight, and casters that don't
Not every caster fitted to a piano is meant to carry it. On some upright pianos the front legs stand separately from the body, and the casters beneath them are mainly decorative. Pushing a piano like this can break the legs, so lift it slightly before every move, even if it's only a few centimeters. When the legs are joined to the base, the structure is sturdier and the casters do the work.
Most good casters are made of metal, such as iron or brass, and they hold the piano's weight for years. There are also rubber casters, but they tend to flatten over time. When one caster sinks or breaks, the piano no longer stands level, and that small distortion puts strain on the soundboard and the frame and affects how well the piano holds its tone.
Caster cups and protecting the floor
The piano's weight is concentrated on the small contact area of the casters, and over time it leaves dents in wooden floors, marks in carpets and sometimes cracks in tiles. The simple solution is a caster cup, a small, sturdy dish the caster sits in, spreading the weight over a wider area. A grand piano needs three cups and an upright needs four. At Zohar Pianos we carry caster cups for upright pianos in sets of four, in plastic or solid beech.
Choose a cup that fits the size of the caster and the weight of the instrument. Thick solid wood holds up well even under a large grand, and cups with felt or foam underneath add a layer of protection for wooden floors and tiles. To put the cups in place, lift each side slowly, with two people, rather than dragging the caster into the cup. And once the piano is standing on the cups, don't move it while it's on them.
A small shift at home, or a real move
Casters are meant for short distances on the same floor, like pulling the piano away from the wall to clean or moving it to another corner of the same room. Push slowly, with two people, along the length of the piano, and lift some of the weight over thresholds and changes in level. Check first that the casters turn freely, because a stuck caster drags instead of rolling and leaves a scratch. On a thick carpet movement is heavier, so it's best to lay a thin board or a blanket under the casters before you start.
Moving to another room, another floor or a new home calls for lifting, equipment and skilled hands, and for that we have a piano moving team that does it every day. All our piano moves are fully insured from start to finish with the most comprehensive coverage, at no extra cost, so you're covered, protected and completely at ease. You'll find details on cost in How Much Does Piano Moving Cost.
A permanent place for the piano
Once you've found the piano's corner, leave it there. A piano standing level on four sound casters, on suitable cups and at 45%-50% humidity in the room, looks after itself better over the years. More about the right place for a piano at home in Maintenance and Humidity. If you're not sure which casters your piano has or which cup will fit, send us a photo and we'll help. We're here for you.
Links: Maintenance and Humidity · Piano Moving · How Much Does Piano Moving Cost · How to Choose an Upright Piano · How to Choose a Grand Piano · How a Piano Works
Frequently asked questions
Can I move a piano on its casters?
Yes, for short distances on the same floor, with two people and slow movements. On pianos whose front legs stand separately, lift slightly before moving. A move to a distant room, another floor or another home is a job for piano movers.
Why do I need caster cups?
The cup spreads the piano's weight over a wider area, so the casters don't leave dents in wooden floors or damage carpets or tiles.
How many cups do I need?
Three for a grand piano, one for each leg, and four for an upright.
What do I do if a caster breaks?
It's worth fixing, because a piano that doesn't stand level puts strain on its structure and holds its tone less well. A technician can check the casters and tell you what's needed.