The Important Facts About Carpet Pad

The effect that carpet pad can have on the look and feel of carpeting that has been installed is quite remarkable. Many people do not realize just how important it is to choose the right carpet pad. The main purpose carpet padding serves is to make carpeting feel softer, lengthen the life span of the material, keep destructive carpet stains from hitting the floor underneath, reduce noise, and provide some insulation. It also takes a little bit of stress off of the fibers.

It is important to consider what type of carpet pad will work best for you before the final decision is made. There are a few factors that need to be considered carefully when choosing carpet padding. These factors are:

• Padding Thickness - This is a combination of multiple elements consisting of density, thickness, and the type. These elements must be included for a company to maintain a proper warranty. Carpet padding comes in multiple thicknesses with 7/16 being the most commonly used. Thicker pad does not necessarily mean that it will be more comfortable. If the carpet pad happens to be too thick, it can cause your new flooring to develop wrinkles.
• Padding Density - Carpet pad is also rated by density. Carpet padding with a density of three to five pounds are usually used for apartments. Carpet padding with density ranging between six to eight pounds is typically installed in residential living spaces with six pounds usually being most comfortable. Eight pounds is used in areas that deal with more foot traffic, allowing the carpet to wear well. Ten pounds may be available as well.

Types Of Carpet Pad

When you are deciding what type of carpet pad you are going to have installed in your home, take the time to consider the different types that are available. These options consist of:

• Rebond Pad - This is the type of carpet padding that is most common in residential areas. Rebond is multicolored and is made up of recycled urethane foam. It is available almost anywhere and comes in multiple thicknesses. Rebond tends to be the most economical choice to go with for homes and the higher the quality it is, the better it will perform.
• Wool (Synthetic Fiber) - This carpet padding is typically used for berber carpet and commercial type carpets. Synthetic fiber breathes well, it is dense, and does not have a very spongy feel to it. It is made out of recycled wool and it is mainly designed for berber and commercial carpets to wear better under heavy amounts of foot traffic.
• Prime Urethane Foam (Virgin Urethane) - This type of carpet pad is not made out of recycled materials. The foam is a good grade and it can make a good pad to install in a home. It was designed mainly for commercial settings, but it has started to become a popular choice for residential settings as well. It is typically not the most common choice and does come with a higher price than the standard rebond padding.

Make sure to decided carefully on which pad you are going to choose. You are already paying enough with the carpet cost alone, so protect your investment with the proper padding. There are companies that may provide padding with the installation, and it is typically the best choice to go with the carpet pad that they refer. Picking the right type of carpet pad can make all the difference in the performance of your carpeting.