When it comes time to select new carpet for a home, most people spend the majority of their time deciding on the style, color, and pile of the carpet. They sort through countless samples and deliberate over what will look best, last the longest, and match their budget.
With all those decisions to make, selecting the carpet padding seems to be an afterthought. After all, the carpet is what people see, so it’s really the only thing that matters, right?
That’s not entirely true. While the type of carpet you select is important, picking the right carpet padding can enhance the look and feel of your flooring and make it last longer too. How does it do that? The answer to that question can be found by understanding the purpose of a carpet pad.
Contrary to popular belief, the primary purpose of a carpet pad is NOT comfort. Surprised? It’s true. Carpet padding is actually designed to protect your carpet by providing a buffer that keeps it from rubbing against the bare floor. It also acts to lessen the stress on the carpet caused by people’s footsteps, furniture, and the occasional wrestling match in the living room.
In addition to its main purpose, carpet padding also acts as a cushion to make walking more comfortable. Padding improves the ability to clean your carpets by making it easier to raise the carpet fibers. It also dampens sound and provides thermal insulation. Who knew one little layer of foam could do so much?
So when it comes time to select the right carpet padding for your home, consider where and how the carpet will be used, and then consider the following common options: