What Is A Good Carpet Pad Thickness

Selecting the right carpet pile density.

What is a good carpet pad thickness.

Standard residential carpet and pad thickness. But with padding thicker pad isn t always the best carpet padding. Carpet density is basically a combination of height and thickness. If you choose a low pile carpet which includes berber loop pattern carpet and commercial varieties the carpet pad thickness should be 3 8 inch or less.

Get to know the basics below to decide which options are best for your home and lifestyle. Thickness ranges from 0 25 0 50. For example a good quality rebond padding 1 4 to 3 8 thickness and a density of at least 8 pounds. Thick padding is generally not only not worth it but may result in buckling worn or splitting carpet.

Thick padding may not be as durable and anything over 8 16 will cause installation problems. Berber styles require a special padding that is more dense with a lower profile. Products with a density of 6 to 8 pounds are standard. According to abccarpets most residential carpet pads have a thickness of 7 16 inch.

If you have smooth solid floors the natural grip of the rubberized side will keep your carpet pad in place. Don t choose a carpet pad that s too thick or you risk unsightly folds and wrinkles developing in and beneath. It also adds a layer of insulation and. If you re using the rug pad on top of a carpeted surface then the felt side should be used.

In fact it might even be worse for your home. Widely looped carpets like berber do not react well to thick carpet padding. The density of the carpet pad foam is another factor to consider. This 0 25 inch thick rug pad features a felted surface on one side and a latex rubber surface on the other side.

The good news is most retailers know the padding thickness you need. It s usually pretty simple because most carpets call for 7 16. The thickness and density of carpet pads affects how the carpet looks and feels. Shop all thickness options.

Although carpet padding is responsible for a lot more than comfort the average person walking across his living room may imagine that thicker is better. Together they are key factors in your carpet s look and feel and they also influence its resilience and durability. For this reason you ll want a thinner carpet pad. Carpet padding should be soft enough for comfort but sturdy enough to provide support and shock absorption.

Some prefer a rubber pad or a synthetic fiber or wool pad for basements.