Buying carpet? Don’t forget about carpet padding

Published: October 12, 2017

Peanut butter and jelly. Mickey and Minnie. Table and a chair. Batman and Robin. Popcorn and a movie. There are a lot of things that are just better when they’re paired together.

And, when it comes to flooring, carpet might be the star, but it is nothing without its partner: carpet padding.

Why is carpet padding important?

Just because you can’t see carpet padding, that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard at work. Carpet padding protects your carpet from damage, including both from foot traffic stress and subfloor friction. Carpet padding might go unseen, but the presence of foam padding is also absolutely vital when it comes to comfort because it adds a soft, extra layer underneath your carpet.

In addition, a good carpet padding choice can help you keep a cleaner home because it allows air to circulate beneath the carpet which means you can draw more dirt up into your vacuum cleaner when sweeping—And, who doesn’t love more effective vacuuming?

Keep in mind that if you’re getting a new carpet, you’ll also need to get a new carpet padding. Your old one won’t likely work with your replacement carpet or it will be too worn out to be much use. All carpets require different levels of support, and if you’re getting new carpet remember that you’ll also need to budget for replacement carpet padding.

What makes one carpet padding choice better than another?

With carpet padding, there are three main features to consider:

Density
Moisture barrier
Antimicrobial pad

DENSITY

The denser your carpet padding, the better it will wear over time. Picking a carpet padding with the right density is pivotal to extending the life of your carpet and creating a quieter room that’s warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Plus, it will just make your carpet feel better.

MOISTURE BARRIER

Carpet padding that includes a moisture barrier features a barrier on top of the foam pad. The moisture barrier feature is important when you have a spill or accident. With a moisture barrier, the liquid will sit on top and not soak into the carpet padding.

ANTIMICROBIAL

An antimicrobial type of carpet padding is a must for anyone with asthma or allergies because it inhibits the growth of fungus, mold, and mildew. For example, if you’re carpeting a basement room, we highly recommend an antimicrobial carpet padding because of the high risk of moisture in this kind of space.

Still have questions?

The best way to find out what carpet padding will work best is to ask questions. Carpet padding comes in a variety of styles, and the Kermans design team can help you find an option that will best meet your needs.

Learn more and schedule a free consultation.