TIPS FROM TIM: The Importance of Carpet Pad

The importance of a good quality pad (or cushion) underneath your carpet cannot be overstated. When making a large purchase like carpet, saving a few dollars on pad may seem like a good idea. Please take our word for it…this is NOT a good idea! A good pad can extend the life of any carpet, saving you money in the long run.

While many people believe the main reason for pad under carpet is comfort under foot, its most important benefit is to absorb impact. Without a pad, your carpet is subjected to all of the impact of foot traffic, causing the carpet fibers to mat and wear prematurely. A good pad underneath will greatly reduce damaging impact on the carpet.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a pad:

• FIRMNESS: A soft pad will allow the carpet to bottom out, exposing it to greater impact. Make sure you choose a firm pad to lessen wear on your carpet.
• THICKNESS: A pad that is too thick can cause wrinkles to appear because your carpet cannot stay hooked on the tackstrip. (The tackstrips hold your carpet in place.) We recommend homeowners use a pad no thicker than 7/16″.
• DENSITY: A denser pad will absorb impact longer than lesser quality pads. Pad density is especially important for high-traffic areas like stairs and hallways.
• MOISTURE BARRIER: A pad with a moisture barrier allows you to wipe up spills, pet accidents, etc. without it soaking into the body of your pad and into the subfloor below. Have you ever cleaned a carpet stain only to have it re-appear a couple weeks later? This could be the result of the stain wicking up from below due to lack of a moisture barrier.

Also keep in mind that poor cushion selection may void your carpet manufacturer warranty.

If budget is a concern, we often advise our customers to cut back on carpet costs but not on your pad. In the short term you may save money, but in the long run you will likely have to replace that carpet sooner than if you had a quality pad underneath. Please make sure that you ask your sales expert about the pad when making a carpet or area rug purchase. Though you can’t see it under your carpet, it is a vital part of a quality carpet installation.

-Tim

Tim Walts, Operations Manager at Carpet Plus, was recently granted the designation of Certified Flooring Executive (the highest status conferred by the flooring industry!) by the World Floor Covering Association. Tim worked as an installer for over 10 years and holds top certification from the Certified Floorcovering Installers Association, Inc.