How to Choose the Best Carpeting Padding for you !, by The Floor Source on YouTube. 5 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Measure each room's length and width, then multiply them to get square feet. Add about 10 percent for cuts and waste, since padding comes in rolls.
Match the padding to the traffic. Use denser, firmer padding in hallways, stairs and living rooms, and softer cushion in bedrooms where comfort matters more.
Check the density rating. Rebond padding is usually sold by weight, and 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot holds up well under busy family rooms.
Pick a thickness of about 3/8 to 1/2 inch for most stretch-in carpet. Thicker padding feels softer but can stress the carpet backing and shorten its life.
Choose the material. Rebond is the common bonded foam, prime foam is lighter and cheaper, memory foam adds softness, and felt or rubber lasts longer under heavy use.
Read your carpet warranty first. Some makers require a specific padding type or density, and using the wrong one can void the coverage.
Match padding to carpet style. Loop and Berber carpets need a firm, low-profile cushion, and glue-down carpets often use a denser, thinner pad.
Think about pets and allergies. Moisture-resistant rubber or felt pads handle accidents better than open-cell foam, and a tight, dense pad keeps claws from catching.
Ask for samples and press them with your thumb. A pad that stays firm and springs back will outlast one that squashes flat and stays there.
Tips and common mistakes
Don't buy the thickest pad you can find, because overly soft padding lets carpet flex and wear out faster.
Keep the same padding throughout a room so seams and edges don't show as ridges.
If you have pets, plan on cleaning accidents quickly since foam padding soaks up liquid and can hold odour.
Ask your installer whether the old padding can be reused, and replace it if it is flattened, stained or crumbling.
Questions
What padding weight should I buy?
For most homes, 6 to 8 pound rebond padding works well. Use the higher end for stairs and busy hallways, and the lower end for bedrooms.
Can I put new carpet over old padding?
Usually no. Old padding flattens and loses bounce, so new carpet on top of it will feel thin and wear out sooner.
Does thicker padding make carpet last longer?
Not always. Padding that is too thick or too soft lets the carpet flex more, which can break down the backing faster than a firm pad.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
