How To Choose The Right Padding For Your Carpet Installation, by GoldCoast | Carpet & Tile Care on YouTube. 2 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check what carpet you are installing. Cut pile and plush styles take one pad spec, while low pile berber and loop pile take a thinner one.
For most homes, choose 7/16 inch padding rated at 8 pound density. This is the standard choice for normal living rooms and bedrooms.
If your carpet is low pile berber or loop pile, step down to 3/8 inch padding at 8 pound density. The thinner pad keeps the tight loop structure stable.
For a rental where the pad will be pulled up in less than five years, use 7/16 inch padding at 5 or 6 pound density. It costs less and still feels fine underfoot.
Decide on a moisture barrier. Ask for padding with a barrier if it sits over a concrete slab, a basement floor or any spot that can draw damp.
Write the spec down before you shop: thickness, density and barrier yes or no. Give that note to the salesperson so you get the right roll.
Measure each room's length and width, then add about 10 percent for cuts, seams and waste when ordering.
Check your carpet warranty before you buy. Many makers set a maximum pad thickness and a minimum density, and going outside it can void coverage.
Tips and common mistakes
Thicker is not always better, because a pad that is too soft lets the carpet flex and wear out faster.
Match the pad to the carpet style first and the budget second, not the other way around.
Use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge when trimming padding, and cut on a board to protect the floor.
Stagger pad seams rather than lining them up with carpet seams.
Questions
What does the pound rating on carpet padding mean?
It is the density of the foam, measured in pounds per cubic foot. A higher number means a firmer, longer lasting pad, so 8 pound holds up better than 5 or 6 pound.
Is 7/16 inch padding too thick for berber carpet?
It can be. Low pile berber and loop pile carpets do better on 3/8 inch, 8 pound padding because the firmer, thinner base keeps the loops from shifting.
Do I need a moisture barrier under carpet padding?
Only where damp is a risk, such as a concrete slab or a basement. Over a dry timber subfloor, plain padding is normally fine.
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.
