What is Carpet Padding?
Carpet padding is recycled cushion or padding that originally comes from the furniture industry. The premium foam is ground up and put together with adhesive. It is then peeled to the desired thickness and density. This padding is then typically stapled onto the floor, and the carpet is placed over-top. Padding is measured in pounds per cubic foot and ranges from 3 to 10 pounds.
You definitely want a padding density of at least 6 pounds, and carpet retailers typically won’t sell anything less. The denser the padding, the stiffer it will feel.
One of our flooring experts here at Next Day Floors who has some 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, explains that customers might think a 10-pound density would be best. However, while it is extremely durable and is expected to last for the life of the carpet, it’s also “very, very dense.”
Prolong The Life & Performance Carpet
For so many things in life, laying a good foundation is essential. Carpet is no exception! The padding is the foundation that’s going to make all the difference in the performance of your carpet.
The number one benefit of carpet pad is that it helps prolong the life and performance of the carpet. The padding protects the back of the carpet from wearing out against the sub floor, and it also absorbs the brunt of the foot traffic, enabling the carpet to “bounce back.”
Vacuuming is more efficient when you have padding, because your vacuum cleaner can raise the carpet slightly and remove more dirt.
Additionally, the padding also acts as a barrier to the sub floor below. Moisture-proof pads are available, which are 8 and 10-pound spill-guard. Allen said the advantage with the moisture-proof pads, especially when pets urinate on the carpet, is that there’s a moisture barrier on top of the pad so the liquid will not go through to the sub floor or wood flooring.
Most carpet retailers will not install carpet without padding, as it would void any of the carpet’s warranties.
