What You Need To Know About Carpet Pad

Many people do not realize it, but carpet pad can make all the difference in the look and feel of the carpet they have installed. Carpet pad is used to lengthen the life of the carpeting, make it feel softer, reduce noise, and provide insulation. It also helps relieve stress on the fibers of the material. Carpet pad also aids in preventing wrinkling after the carpet installation process.

There are some companies out there that will include carpet padding for free with the installation. If you are worried about how much pad will increase the total of your carpet pricing, ask them to see if this is applicable with their company.

Picking the right type of carpet padding is a very important decision to make. There are a few things that should be taken into consideration before you make a final decision. These aspects consist of:

Padding Thickness - This combines the elements of thickness, density, and type which is required by every company for a proper warranty to be maintained. Padding comes in a variety of thicknesses with 7/16 being the most common. Try to avoid making the mistake of thinking that thicker carpet padding will be more comfortable. If it is too thick, wrinkles can begin to develop in the carpet.
Padding Density - This is another way that carpet padding is rated. Some types have a lower density of three to five pounds and are usually installed apartments due to how cheap it is. For homes, the padding that is used typically ranges between six to eight pounds, but there is an availability of ten pounds. Six pound typically feels much more comfortable underfoot, but eight pound can offer more support and help the carpet wear better, especially in areas where traffic is high.

Carpet Padding Types

When making the decision of choosing carpet pad, there are a couple different options to choose from. Take a look at the different choices before making a final decision. These options are:

Rebond Pad - This type of carpet padding is mostly used in residential settings. It is made up of recycled urethane foam and comes multicolored. This is available basically anywhere and comes in all types of thickness. It is also the most economical choice for residential living. The higher quality of pad that is chosen, the better it will perform.
Prime Urethane Foam - Also known as virgin urethane, this type is not made of recycled material. The foam is a better grade and could be a good choice to go in a home. Prime is very dense and was primarily designed for commercial applications, but it has started to become quite common in residential living spaces. It is, however, an uncommon choice and costs more than the standard rebond.
Synthetic Fiber (Wool - This type of carpet pad is typically used for berber and commercial carpets. This type is quite dense, it breathes well, and it does not have a very spongy feel. It is made from recycled wool and is designed to let berber and commercial wear well under heavy traffic.

Picking the correct type of carpet padding can do wonders with the installation of your carpeting. Be sure to explore the different types of carpet pad before you make a final decision.