Understanding Carpet Padding: Maximizing Comfort & Durability

Improves the Look of Your Carpets

Padding minimizes the shock of traffic on your carpet, which reduces matting and compression of your carpet fibers. As a result, your carpet looks better and lasts longer.

Comfort

Because padding helps absorb the shock of foot traffic, it also puts less strain on your feet, legs, and back, providing a soft feel whether you’re standing, walking, lying, or sitting.

Easier Maintenance

Padding creates air circulation between the carpet and floor, which optimizes the performance of your vacuum. As a result, it’s easier to maintain your carpets and remove debris.

Noise Absorption

While carpets help muffle noise, padding reduces sound transference further. This results in less noise between walls and floors.

Insulation Improvement

Padding is insulating, helping to keep floors warmer, especially in spaces with concrete sub-floors or rooms like basements.

Extended Life of Carpets

The right carpet padding helps extend the life of your carpeting by reducing stress and compression on carpet fibers while making it easier to remove debris that can add to wear and tear.

Rubber

Rubber padding is highly durable and has a comfortable feel underfoot. It is ideal for higher traffic areas and is used when installing carpet over in-floor heating.

Rebonded Foams

Rebonded foam pads are the most popular because they offer the most value and the best durability. They come in a variety of thicknesses and densities for every carpet installation scenario and are made from 100% recycled foam. However, despite their durability, they are not recommended for high-volume traffic areas.

Prime Foam

Prime foam padding uses brand-new material and is denser than rebonded foam. Although it is firmer, it compresses more quickly than rebonded foam because the “virgin” materials have more air pockets. It is an inexpensive, comfortable option available in several densities and thicknesses but doesn’t offer the same durability as rebonded foam. Therefore, it doesn’t offer as much overall value.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is made of frothed foam for extra give and added comfort. It isn’t suited for high-traffic areas as it will flatten out quicker, despite being designed to return to its original shape. The constant compression and popping back-up action actually put more strain on the material, which is why it wears and flattens more quickly. While it is expected to last as long as other types of foam in moderate to low traffic areas, as a newcomer in the padding industry, there aren’t conclusive reports on its durability over longer periods. You’ll also pay a premium for the added comfort.

Fiber

This padding is made from a combination of different materials such as nylon, polyester, and felt. They aren’t as soft as foam padding because they are flatter and denser. As a result, they are more durable, making them better for high-traffic areas, including commercial settings. However, if you are installing Berber, loop pile carpets, this padding is recommended and, in some cases, a requirement for the warranty.

Residential Installations

Residential carpet padding generally calls for something more comfortable underfoot. We recommend 6.5 to 8 lb., 7/16” bonded padding or 10 to 12 lb., ½” frothed foam. However, when installing looped (Berber) carpets, you need a denser, thinner pad such as a flat sponge rubber or 6.5 lb. ¼” to 3/10” synthetic fiber.

High Traffic Areas

High-traffic areas call for a thin, dense pad similar to those used in commercial installations. Flat sponge rubber padding, 6.5 lb., 3/8” bonded padding, 12 lb., ¼” thick frothed foam padding, or 6.5 lb., 3/10” synthetic fiber padding work well. However, for residential use, it’s important to keep comfort in mind. Ask your flooring specialist what padding they recommend based on your carpet type.

Carpet Pad for Stairs

Stairs are high-traffic areas, so require a higher density rebonded foam padding between 8 to 10 lbs. and a thickness of 3/8" or less. This will increase the durability and lifespan of the carpeting.

Carpet Pad for Bedrooms and Living Rooms

If budget allows, a nice memory foam or prime foam will create a luxurious, comfortable feel underfoot. Because these rooms are moderate traffic, the memory foam will also stand up longer. If the cost is too high, opt for bonded or prime foam based on your budget.

Not Installing the Carpet Manufacturer’s Recommended Padding

Ignoring the carpet manufacturer’s padding recommendation can void the warranty for your carpets. This can be a very costly mistake. Be sure to review the conditions of the warranty to make the right choice. Even if the carpet specialist has a special offer, such as free padding with installation, going with the recommendation is best.

Not Replacing Old Padding

When you are replacing old carpets with beautiful new carpets, it’s essential to also replace the padding. Although it seems like you’re saving money, this will cost you in the long run as the padding continues to break down and interferes with the appearance and performance of your new carpets.

Not Considering Traffic

The padding you choose is directly impacted by traffic volume. Ensuring you consider the traffic in each room will extend the life and durability of both the padding and your carpets.

Choosing the Thickest Carpet Padding

While it might seem thicker is better, it depends on the traffic volume as well as the carpeting type. For example, Berber carpets require thinner padding, as do higher traffic areas.