Carpet Padding

The three major types of pad are foam, fiber and rubber. Rebond (or "bonded") pad is a type of foam pad. Other types of foam pad are prime and froth. Basically, these are similar to rebond pad except they are made as a solid piece of foam instead of being made up of bits of recycled foam. Froth foam is generally used in commercial application because it is thin and dense.

Rubber pad can come flat or in a waffle pattern. I recommend staying away from the waffle pad as it does not support the carpet as well as other pads. Rubber is a thin, firm pad so it is frequently used under Berbers or on commercial jobs.

Fiber pads are made from a either natural or man made (synthetic) fibers. This type of pad is often referred to as felt. The first carpet pads were fiber pads that were made of horse hair and jute. Natural fibers, such as horse hair, are rarely used anymore. Synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and polypropylene are now widely used because they are cheaper to make.

All three types of pad are generally fine for home use. Rebond is most widely used because it is the cheapest, yet wears just about as well as the other types. Variables such as density and thickness (see below) are more important considerations than the type of pad.

Note: In some rare instances, rebond pad has been know to discolor light colored Berber carpets. I am not sure that anyone really knows exactly why this happens (although I suspect it has something to do with gas emissions). If this is a concern for you, rubber or felt pads are fine alternatives.

The purpose of pad is not only to provide comfort. The pad also acts as a shock absorber for your carpet, extending its life. But be careful, a pad that is too thick (more than 7/16" for rebond) or soft (less than 6 lbs. for rebond) can actually reduce the life of your carpet. In general, a more thin (3/8" to 7/16" for rebond), dense (at least 6 lbs for rebond) pad will prevent undue wear on the carpet. This is because a dense pad will not sink as much with each foot step. This minimizes the pull on the carpet backing, preventing the latex in the backing from breaking down as quickly. Carpet pad also supports the backing, preventing it from being smashed against the floor when you walk on it, thereby extending its life. Pad that is less dense (less than 6lbs. for rebond) will flatten more easily. This eliminates the pad's ability to protect the carpet fiber from being smashed against the sub-floor with each footstep.

For rebond pad, most warranties generally require at least a 6-pound pad for cut pile carpets and 8-pound pad for looped carpets. For most residential uses, I recommend a pad that is between 3/8" and 7/16".

Pad serves other purposes as well:

• It makes that carpet feel more comfortable.
• It makes your vacuum cleaner more efficient by helping the vacuum lift the carpet and provide better air circulation.
• It can insulate your floor.
• It can reduce noise.

Thickness:
I recommend using a pad that is not thicker than 7/16". Again, this is because it will minimize pull on the carpet backing.

A couple things you should know about pad installation:

• The pad should be stapled or glued to the floor to prevent movement.
• The seams in the pad should be taped or sealed with a seam sealer.