CARPET PAD PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN CARPET MAINTENANCE

A new carpet is a serious investment. Carpeting can change the look and feel of a house while providing a myriad of benefits, including comfort, insulation, noise reduction, and visual appeal. And proper carpet care can help maintain these benefits longer by extending the life of the carpet. Carpet pad is a crucial element in the life of a carpet, protecting it from wear and tear. In fact, the addition of carpet pad can mean the difference between a comfortable or uncomfortable carpet.


	Ultra Magic 8-lb Pad Detail and Specifications	Hi-Flite 7-lb Pad Detail and Specifications	Super Magic 6-lb Pad Detail and Specifications

Validator 5-lb Pad Detail and Specifications	Crush Guard 5-lb Pad Detail and Specifications	Napa Urethane Foam Detail and Specifications	Valencia Rubber XD Detail and Specifications

HOW TO SELECT THE CARPET PAD THAT'S BEST FOR YOUR CARPET

With so many carpet varieties available, it stands to reason that there would be many different carpet padding types to choose from as well. Unfortunately, given the “out of sight, out of mind” nature of carpet padding, the choice of padding is often overlooked. Carpets that are placed without a carpet pad lose an average of 19 percent of their height over a period of time, while carpets placed on carpet pads lose only 5 to 10 percent.

The quality of carpet pad can affect the quality of your carpet. Choosing the wrong pad can have negative consequences, such as voiding the carpet warranty. Carpet manufacturers will often recommend the best carpet pad choices, ironically, many retailers never offer the best pads.

Most carpets are designed to be soft to touch, but by having the properly selected padding underneath, your carpet will be much more comfortable. Look for a product that is engineered to flex and not bottom out with every step and choose one that is not too firm as it will minimize the pad's effectiveness at making the carpet look better longer.

With the new carpet padding technologies available today, density is not always the most important consideration. When shopping, the best technique for identifying the ideal comfort level is to literally walk on a sample. It is also recommended you place a carpet sample on top of different cushions and remove your shoes so you can get a much better experience of how the padding will feel when installed under the carpet being selected.

Another factor to consider during the carpet pad purchase is energy efficiency. Carpet pad can provide extra insulation benefits on top of those provided by the carpet itself. As with any building component, the denser the item, the less insulation value so if you have an in floor heating system, you will need a pad with the lowest insulation value or R-Value. Rubber carpet padding is by far the very best for these applications. If insulation properties are preferred, look for a premium padding with the highest insulation properties.

Carpet pad also carries an environmental benefit. A large portion of carpet pad in the United States is made from recycled materials. Rebond carpet pad is one of the most successful recycling stories due to the millions of pounds redirected from the waste stream every year. Ensure carpet pads meet or exceed the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label program, which helps to maintain a commitment to better environmental standards.

Selecting the right carpet pad depends on many factors, including the type of carpet purchased, comfort levels, insulation needs, and environmental concerns. Though it is an unseen product, carpet pad can affect many aspects of daily life and should not be taken lightly.