Learn About Carpet Pads

So you bought your house a new carpet. Great! Carpets can add a splash of color and life on any plain floor. Carpets with specially designed patterns can even personalize the look of your home and leave an eclectic or exotic atmosphere depending on the design that you chose.

But for how long will you enjoy the beauty and richness of your carpet? I suppose it won’t be too long if you don’t take care of it well. Aside from regular vacuuming and dry or steam cleaning, did you know that placing carpet pads under your carpets will substantially lengthen the lifetime of the carpet?

Think of carpet pads as an extra foundation for your carpet. It adds a soft cushioning effect to the carpet itself as well as adding strength and durability. The additional thickness of the carpet pad helps prevent the carpet fibers from matting or dismantling and stops the fibers from looking worn out. Lastly, carpet pads absorb noise with its sound-insulating properties.

Choosing the Right Carpet Pad

All carpet pads are not created equal. To help your carpet last a long time, take into consideration these factors when buying your carpet pads:

• Carpet Pad Material

Carpet pads can be made from different materials. There is a correct carpet pad material to use for your unique carpet. A separate section in this article will show you what the different carpet pad materials are and which best suits your carpet.

• Carpet Pad Density

If your carpet is in a high traffic area it is advised that you choose a low density carpet pad (about ¼ inch thick). For areas with low traffic, a ½ inch carpet pad is generally recommended. Thinner carpet pads provide cushioning while still minimizing the amount of wear on the carpet.

• Insulation

Carpet pads have R-values that measure their insulating effects. The higher the R-value, the more insulating it is. Choose a carpet pad with low or high R-value depending on the room where you will be placing your carpet.

Carpet Pad Materials

• Waffle Rubber

Waffle carpet padding has a thickness that is mostly comprised of air and is thus too soft for plastic backed carpets. The clay type binders that hold the rubber of this padding can be broken down with use.

• Foam Padding

Considered a “prime foam”, this type of carpet pad is made from urethane foam and can be bought in different thicknesses and densities. The air within the carpet pad causes the carpet to move often that the backing soon gets damaged especially in high traffic areas.

• Rebond Pad

Rebond padding is made from scraps of high density foams used in furniture making that are re-glued together. They also come in different densities and thicknesses.

• Slab Rubber

Slab rubber does not contain any air and resists indentation and crushing from traffic and furniture in a long time. This is one of the best choices of carpet padding for high traffic areas.

• Fiber

If you want to limit movements in your carpet, choose fiber carpet pads that are made from jute, hair, synthetic fiber, or recycles textile fiber. The higher the density of this carpet pad, the better it is in protecting your carpet and limiting movement.

• Berber Pad

Berber carpets will last longer if you provide additional protection from carpet pads. As a rule, the bigger the loop in your Berber carpet, the firmer your carpet pad should be.

• Frothed Foam

Frothed foam is an ultra dense type of carpet pad made from urethane that is highly durable and prevents furniture indentation. Frothed foam does not cause any off gassing and surpasses rebond, fiber, waffle rubber, and prime foam carpet pads.

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