Before buying carpet in Las Vegas, you'll need to learn everything you can about carpet padding. This will help you make an educated decision about which padding is right for you. Carpet padding, also known as carpet cushion, is the foundation of every carpet. Get it right and your carpet should last a very long time. Get it wrong and you'll be replacing your carpet much sooner than you expected.

The Truth About Carpet Padding And What You Need To Know Before You Buy

Carpet padding is used to absorb the daily impacts a carpet receives. Impact is what causes carpet to break down, the backing to stretch and it could cause the separation of the primary backing from the secondary backing. A quality carpet padding will extend the life of the carpet more than anything else you do.

Carpet pad is rated in density. The density is measured by weight in pounds per cubic foot. If the carpet pad is too soft, it will bottom out and shorten the life of your carpet. If it's too thick, it won't be able to hold properly to the tack strip. The carpet industry recommends a carpet padding that is 5 lbs and 3/8 inch thick for light traffic areas and a 6.5 lbs and 3/8 inch thick for heavy traffic areas.

The Different Types Of Carpet Padding

1. Waffle Rubber Pad.

This type of padding usually about ½ “ thick and is still within the range recommended by most manufacturers. In the past, the waffle pads percentage of filler was very high which caused it to be very soft and to break down faster. Today's waffle pad is much better; however, you should get the heaviest version you can find if you want it to hold up longer.

2. Rebond Pad. This is a bonded urethane pad and is the most popular of all carpet padding types available. The rebond pad is made from reclaimed scraps of high density urethane foam that has been bonded together to form a cushion. This carpet padding comes in a variety of thicknesses and densities.

Although the rebond pad is very popular, it does have some drawbacks:

  • it may contain the chemical compound BHT
  • if it contains BHT it could produce yellowing in some carpet
  • If it contains BHT and you add detergent to it - it could cause permanent yellowing

If you decide to buy this type of carpet pad, get something in writing from the carpet company that states their rebond carpet padding does not contain BHT.

3. Flat Rubber Pad.

This type of padding is extremely pricey, hard to find and therefore not an option for most homeowners. However, this carpet pad is the only padding that could potentially outlast your carpet. It's recommended that you replace the carpet padding every time you replace your carpet. But that's not the case when you use a flat rubber padding. If you choose this type of pad, consider going with the 19-22 lb density for a luxurious, long-lasting performance. And you won't have to replace it each time you get new carpet.

4. Fiber Cushion Pad.

This is a green option when it comes to carpet padding because it uses scrap fibers. However, the performance from a fiber cushion pad has been less than stellar. The other fiber cushions are made from jute or hair mixed with jute; therefore, choosing one of the carpet padding options mentioned above would give you a better value for your money.

These are the most common carpet padding options available. However, there are a few others. Talk to your carpet retailer about which option would be best for your situation (click here for info).

Carpet padding, its density and its thickness are what you need to look for if you want to protect your investment and get the best performance possible from your new carpet. Just remember that every new carpet installation should begin with a good quality carpet padding.

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