When getting a new carpet, you also need to choose the right carpet padding material –

Your carpet’s underlay should be able to accommodate foot traffic, heavy furniture, and the carpet style to ensure comfort and durability.

There are several types of carpet pad materials available on the market, making it more complex to determine the best type of padding for your new carpet installation.

At the 99 Cent Floor Store, we offer a vast array of carpet choices and advise you on which carpet pad works best for your chosen style. So how do you choose the best carpet padding?

Keep reading to find out –

What Is Carpet Padding and Why Is It Important?

Carpet construction includes fibers woven into a solid backing material. Walking directly on a carpet with no cushioning from a carpet pad can break the backing, leading to loose fibers, faster wear and tear, wrinkling, warping, and other defects. Carpet padding absorbs the weight of footsteps, furniture legs, and other stress to maintain the foundation of your new carpeting.

Not all carpet underlay is the same. Some types of carpet require a certain padding thickness, while others require a specific material density. For example, while most carpet calls for 7/16” or thicker padding, short-pile carpets need a thinner pad. Thicker padding can offer too much give for these carpets and damage the carpet. Carpet padding also insulates flooring, helping to keep your home comfortable year-round.

Types of Carpet Underlay

You have several factors to consider when choosing the correct type of padding for your home, including:

• Density. Manufacturers rate carpet pad density in pounds. For carpets in light traffic areas or where you may replace the carpet frequently, use a carpet pad with a 5- to 6-pound density rating. For high-traffic areas, use a carpet pad with an 8- to 10-pound density rating.
• Thickness. While most carpet manufacturers recommend a carpet pad thickness of 7/16”, for carpets like Berber and short-pile carpets, many recommend a maximum thickness of 3/8”.
• R-value. R-value measures the insulation the carpet pad provides, which reduces energy costs and helps maintain a room’s temperature. For homeowners with radiant floor heating, consider a lower R-value to allow more heat to penetrate the carpet underlay.

Prime or Premium Foam Pad (Urethane)

While urethane padding may be the most affordable option, it doesn’t hold up in high-traffic areas because it compresses quickly. A more durable option is polyurethane, which offers a higher density rating.

Frothed Foam or Memory Foam Pad

Frothed foam or memory foam padding is highly durable, with a high-density rating and a higher price tag than other options. Prime or premium foam has air added during manufacturing, but the frothed foam does not and includes a gel infusion for memory foam comfort when you walk on your new carpet.

Synthetic Felt or Fiber Pad

This thin, high-density pad offers fantastic support for Berber or short-pile carpets and is breathable for better carpet conditioning over time.

Rubber Pad

Rubber padding comes in a solid slab or waffle patterns. Waffled rubber padding performs similarly to some other pad types, but other options are often more affordable.
On the other end of the spectrum, durable flat rubber padding easily outlasts the carpet installed above it. As one of the most expensive options, flat rubber carpet padding is a luxury investment for some homeowners.

Tips on Making the Best Carpet Installation Choice for Your Home

Factors to consider when selecting the best padding for your new carpet installation include:

• Life of the carpet
• Traffic over your flooring
• Heavy furniture on your carpet
• Frequent replacement of carpeting (rental properties, commercial offices, etc.)
• Radiant floor heating
• Type of carpet
• Manufacturer warranty and recommendations

Consider how each of these factors could affect the type of carpet padding you need to get the best support for your new carpeting. Your carpet store’s experienced salesperson may also be able to recommend a personalized solution to suit your needs.

Get the Most Out of Your Carpet Padding with 99 Cent Floor Store!

When you’re ready to choose a new carpet installation and carpet padding, visit the 99 Cent Floor Store. You can also reach out to our team online or by phone to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced team members.