What Is the Purpose of Carpet Padding?

Benefits

• Carpet padding is commonly promoted as a means of increasing comfort by adding cushioning to the carpet. Although padding does add cushioning, the most significant benefit of padding is its ability to increase the durability of the carpet. Carpet can be installed without padding, but the tack strips around the edges of the carpet are all that prevents the carpet from sliding. Without the padding to hold the carpet in place, the carpet will wear prematurely as it gradually slides across the floor. By helping to keep the carpet in place, the carpet will last longer. Padding also offers minor insulating qualities as well, as it poses as a barrier on top of the underlying floor.

Types of Padding

• The types of carpet padding are perhaps as varied as the types of carpeting material. Bonded polyurethane is typically the most affordable type of carpet padding but should generally not be installed in high-traffic areas. If you do decide to install this type of padding in a high-traffic area, use dense polyurethane padding. Prime urethane and grated prime foam paddings are also popular choices, but they should not be used in conjunction with Berber carpet or other stiff-carpet types. For stiff-carpet types, consider using a bonded urethane foam or cellular sponge rubber padding. Padding is graded by thickness and by density. The higher rated the padding, generally the higher the cost. Follow the carpet manufacturer's padding recommendation to avoid voiding the carpet's warranty.

Installation Basics

• The edges of carpeting are secured to the floor with tack strips. The carpet padding is cut to fit inside of the tack strips, so install the tack strips before installing the padding. Unroll the padding over the floor and trim the pieces to fit within the tack strips. Make sure that the seams between the padding pieces press together tightly so that the carpet lays flat. If the padding features one side that is slicker than the other, install the padding with the slicker side facing up. The slicker side is designed to make it easier to slide the carpet across the padding. Tape the padding seams together with duct tape and staple the padding the floor approximately every 12 inches.

Cushion-Backed Carpet

• Some carpet manufactures produce carpet that requires no carpet padding. Instead, a foam pad is attached to the underside of the carpet at the factory. When carpet is rolled over padding, the carpet must be stretched towards the walls until tight. Aside from the benefit of not having to install padding and carpet separately, this cushioned-backed carpet requires no stretching. Cushioned-backed carpet is usually less expensive than traditional carpet but is generally considered less durable.