Selecting the Right Carpet Padding

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When deciding on the color and type of carpet to put in the family room, people seem to overlook a very important component . . .the padding. How often do you discuss carpet padding when decorating a room? Not very often. The padding, however, is a vital part of your carpet installation and long term carpet satisfaction.

Did you know there are basically 3 types of padding? Before we learn about the types of padding and what they offer, let's get some of the terminology out of the way. Carpet padding is also known as carpet cushion and carpet underlayment. Therefore, if your retailer or carpet installer uses any of these words, they're talking about the material placed between the carpet and your floor.

Another term we should discuss is padding density. Technically, density is a measurement of the weight divided by the thickness measured in pounds per cubic foot. Let me give you a point of reference. The Carpet Cushion Council's minimum recommendation is a carpet density of 5 lbs and 3/8 inches for light traffic areas and 6.5 lbs and 3/8 inches for heavy traffic areas. However, carpet experts and retailers recommend padding with a thickness ranging between 7lbs and 8 lbs. Keep this in mind when you're in the carpet store.

Why buy carpet padding?

1. Feels good - Let's face it, walking on something soft feels a lot better than walking on a cement slab.

2. Insulation - It helps to insulate the room and muffle sound.

3. Cleaner Carpet - Padding increases vacuum efficiency. The motion of vacuuming causes a lifting action which raises the carpet slightly from the pad allowing better access to the dirt. Removing the dirt prevents the dirt from grinding and fraying the carpet fibers.

4. Carpet lasts longer - Adequate padding will help stave off the affects of furniture indentation. It also Increases carpet life by approximately 50%

5. Carpet cushions were born to absorb the abuse given to carpet.

Continued...

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Felicia A. Williams is a freelance writer and webmaster of this website, Visit Hudson Valley.com and No Job for Mom.com. She also blogs about Living Green one choice at a time.

This document last modified Monday, 31-Mar-2008 17:14:29 EDT

Tidbits & Stuff was born on Thursday, March 9, 2006
© 2006, 2007, 2008 Felicia A. Williams

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