CARPET FACTS: WHY CARPET PADDING IS IMPORTANT

CARPET FACTS: WHY CARPET PADDING IS IMPORTANT

When you’re installing new carpet that goes wall-to-wall, you’ll want to make sure you’re including carpet padding in your installation. Carpet padding, or carpet cushion, can impact the appearance of your carpet and its performance. Here’s why it’s important to install carpet padding under your carpet.

Carpet padding benefits

Carpet padding protects your carpet

When you install carpet cushion under your carpet, it protects your carpet to help it last longer. Padding protects the underside of your carpet from wearing out from your home’s base floor. Not only does it protect the underside, but it can help protect your carpet’s top layer from furniture indentations, wear and tear, and any other damages that could potentially occur. If your carpet doesn’t have cushioning, you’re likely to see your carpet wear out much faster and fray, causing you to have to replace your carpet more often.

Padding can make cleaning more efficient

When you have padding under your carpet, it can actually help make cleaning your carpet more efficient. With padding under, your carpet can slightly raise while being vacuumed. This allows the vacuum to pick up more dirt and dust, creating a cleaner home and reducing any allergies.

Carpet cushion makes your carpet softer and easier on your feet

Carpet cushions can also make your carpet feel softer. This makes walking on carpet easier on your feet. Without padding underneath, your feet might become sore quicker from walking on the hard carpet all day. Many homeowners see this as one of the best benefits of having carpet padding installed with their carpet.

Padding can stop drafts and dampen noise

Without carpet padding, it makes it easy for drafts to seep through carpeting. When you have carpet padding installed, it has a higher R-value than your carpet itself, which is what is used to measure a material’s ability to keep heat or drafts from passing through them. This means the padding will prevent drafts from coming through and retain heat to keep your home warmer. Not only does it have great insulation, but a carpet cushion can dampen sounds as well. Carpets on their own can’t reduce noise that much, but when installed with padding, it can help reduce the noise, especially in a basement or upper level of a home.

Types of carpet padding

When you decide to install carpet padding with your carpeting, it’s important to know that there are different types of padding, which all serve different purposes in addition to the basic functions of carpet cushion. Here are some of the most common types of padding.

  • Rubber
  • Fiber
  • Foam

Rubber carpet pads can supply maximum comfort while keeping heat in. Fiber carpet padding is firmer but built to withstand any weight of foot traffic. It’s also important to consider the thickness of your padding, which can help prevent wrinkles in your carpet, and the density, which can make a carpet softer and provide better support for feet.

Carpet padding is a crucial element to installing new carpeting in your home. Without padding, your carpets will wear out faster, your rooms will feel draftier, and sounds will travel further in your home. It’s always important to install cushioning with your carpet, not only for comfort but to make your carpet last longer. Cushioning under your carpet can also save you more money in the long run by extending the life of your carpet.

When you’re ready to start looking at your carpeting and padding options, reach out to GS Flooring to discuss in more detail what type of carpet and cushion you would like. GS Flooring can help you pick out the best carpet padding for your home and carpet and install the padding for you!