There are many different types of pad
available today in order to accommodate all the various types of carpeting.
Here we will mainly discuss the types of pad that you will generally need when
carpeting your home, office or rentals.
A certain type, thickness and density of
padding is required by the carpet manufacturer to maintain your carpet
warranty. Be sure to check with the carpet manufacturer directly. Do not
expect the retailer to choose the correct pad for you, it is your
responsibility to make sure the correct pad is installed.
Also, if the wrong type, thickness or density
pad is used, your carpet may develop wrinkles which is costly to fix and can
significantly decrease the life span of your carpet. Learn about
Carpet Styles
Rebond pad
This type of pad is most common in the
residential setting. It is made from recycled materials, mainly from recycled
urethane foam and multicolored. It is available
everywhere, and in almost every thickness and density. This is the most
economical choice for your home, rental or office. Typical
cost for an 8-pound density, 7/16" thick rebond pad is about $4.00 per
yard or .45 per square foot.
This type of pad is often very inexpensive
and lightweight. If a retail store tries to give you free pad with your carpet
purchase, this is usually what they plan to give you. This type of padding
will not tolerate much traffic. It will soon become completely flat as a
pancake after a year or so and is not a good choice for a residential setting. This
is often used in apartment settings where the carpet life span is less than 5
years.
Prime urethane foam
Not made of recycled materials is called
prime or virgin urethane. It's a better grade of foam pad (frothed
foam) that could be a good choice for the home. It is made of very
dense urethane (polyurethane). It is designed primarily for commercial
applications, but is becoming more common in residential applications. The cost
more than a standard rebond and not a common choice among homeowners.
Wool or fiber pad, synthetic fiber pads
These types of natural or synthetic pads are
used primarily for Berbers and commercial carpets. They are very dense,
breathe well, and are not spongy at all. Made from recycled or shredded
fabrics or wool. They are designed to allow looped Berbers
and commercial carpets to wear well in heavy traffic situations, and to
prevent these types of carpets from stretching out and developing wrinkles. A
synthetic fiber pad is a great choice for basements with concrete floors as it
breathes well, is treated to resist mold, mildew and is anti-microbial.
Rubber pad, waffle or slab (flat)
I seldom recommend
a rubber pad in residential
applications. Rebond pad is a better choice in most cases and less expensive
too. Rubber slab pad is often used in commercial applications over
concrete.
Specialty
pads: Moisture barrier pads, odor eating pads, pet odor pads, baking soda
pads,
Some
carpet
salespeople may try to convince you to upgrade your order with a specialty pad
that has claims of being able to eliminate odors or have a moisture barrier
surface that will help with pet accidents. I don't support these type of pads
and suggest you avoid the extra expense. I believe it will just cost you more money and not solve
or diminish your pet accident problems. If you have a pet accident problem
there is no padding on the market today that I know of, that will solve your
problem. Spending more money on a specialty pad will not solve your
problem. Read more about Moisture
Barrier padding
Don't
spend more money on pad trying to solve a problem!
If
you have a pet accident problem, upgrading to a more expensive pad will not
solve it or reduce the severity. If you have a moisture problem in your
basement, no moisture barrier padding is going to protect you from mold and mildew.
Don't be tricked into thinking that spending more money on a specialty pad
will solve your serious issues, it
just doesn't work that way. You need to address your problems first and then
select a standard pad that is designed to meet your needs and goals.
Some carpet salespeople recommend a moisture
barrier pad to every customer. Moisture barrier pads are generally more costly
than a standard padding and may be suitable in some circumstances. However, I
have found that in most situations homeowners are mislead into thinking a
moisture barrier pad can do more than they are actually designed to do.
Some claim that a Moisture Barrier pad
will prevent spills from soaking into the pad. What benefit does that
provide?
Moisture In Basements
Some homeowners have a serious moisture problem
in their basement and might think that a moisture barrier pad will be
beneficial by preventing moisture from coming up through the pad and carpet.
Unfortunately a moisture barrier will trap the moisture under the pad and will
promote the growth of mold and mildew, causing a hidden health hazard.
If you have a moisture problem in your basement
you need to fix the problem before you install any flooring product.
Over Hardwood Floors
Some folks think that a moisture barrier pad
will help protect their beautiful hardwood floors from being ruined from any
potential liquid spills when carpet and pad is installed over the
top.
Any liquid that soaks through the carpet
will quickly spread out on top of a moisture barrier pad. If any spills
fall near the pad seams or near the walls, it can easily get underneath
the pad and become trapped. This prolonged exposure to moisture can cause
serious damage to the hardwoods and not be discovered until the carpet and pad
is removed years later. Potted plants and pet accidents are the moist common
cause of damage to hardwood floors with pad carpet installed over the top.
Some say that if the pad seams are sealed with
duct tape, liquids will not be able to soak through. From all my experience in
the flooring business I've learned one thing for sure; that water (or
moisture) is always somehow able to find a way to soak through any
barrier and can cause significant damage.
Using a regular pad without a moisture barrier
would be my suggestion because most liquid spills would be able to dry or
evaporate long before causing damage to the hardwoods below.
Pet Accidents
Some homeowners think that a moisture barrier
pad will help with pet urine problems, perhaps making it easier to clean up
the accident and reduce urine odors. This is not true because any liquid that
soaks through the carpet backing will spread out on top surface of the
moisture barrier padding.
While the entrance spot on top of the carpet
may appear be two inches in diameter, under the carpet it could have spread
out to be eight inches in diameter or more on the top surface of the padding.
This makes the pet accident or spill much more difficult to
clean up since the size and scope of the accident is misleading.
Once the urine dries on top of the padding
the odor will be more evident as foot traffic and vacuuming continues to
disturb the affected area. Every time you clean your carpets it will
"reactivate" the dried urine on top of the pad and the odor will
magnify. Since some pets tend to have accidents in the same spot over and
over again the problem becomes compounded.
Beyond the Moisture Barrier
In the end, some folks spend a significant
amount of money on specialty pads and end up not getting the results or
benefits they expect. I don't generally recommend using any specialty pads
because overall I think they are overpriced, have limited benefits and may
cause more problems then they solve. Some carpet manufacturers are offering a
warranty extension if you buy their specialty padding. Most homeowners never
file a carpet warranty claim so if you consider the increased price of the pad
against the limited benefits from an extended carpet warranty you might find
that it is not worth the added expense.
Any good quality padding with sufficient
density can do the job just fine and save you money. Selecting the right
carpet, choosing the right pad, getting qualified installation and buying from
a reputable dealer are the four most critical factors in buying new carpet.
Read through my website for more information and insight about how to buy new
carpet wisely!
