Pad

A good pad underneath your carpet will enhance the life and add a nice “feel” under foot as you walk. Selecting an adequate pad will add life and wear-ability to your carpet.

If pad is to thin, then the carpet will wear out faster and would will feel more of the floors hardness.

If the pad is too thick, then you’re likely to experience a rippling effect more over time as too-thick padding results in carpet being hard to stretch when being installed. Select a pad that is not to firm, or spongy. And never lay a new pad over old pad.

TIP density, as it relates to padding, is rated at so many pounds per cubic foot. For example, a six pound rebond pad would weigh 6 pounds per cubic foot. It is recommended to use 6.5 pounds at 3/8 inch (thickness) for areas of high traffic. For lighter traffic, use 5 pounds, 3/8 inch pad.

Just as important as the carpet material that you pick, your carpet pad will help prolong the life of your carpet. Carpet pads come in a variety of materials and forms. Choosing the right carpet pad means pairing your needs with the type of carpet you’ve purchased.

When selecting your carpet pad, check your carpet’s warranty and manufacturer’s recommendations. It is possible to void the terms of your warranty by selecting the wrong type of carpeting pad.

What’s Your Carpet Pad Made Of?
Carpet pads are made of several different materials, each with unique properties.

Size (And Density) Matters
Carpet padding comes in various thicknesses and densities.

The thickness of a carpet pad determines its comfort level and insulating value. For residential use, a thickness of 3/8 to 1/2 inch is appropriate. Use thicker carpet padding on low-traffic areas and use thinner carpet padding on high-traffic areas.

The density of carpet padding is measured in pounds (per cubic feet). Density can range from 6 to 8 pounds. Higher density carpet padding will last longer, but lower density carpet padding will have a higher insulating value.