These require thinner padding because the give on thick pads can damage them.
What is carpet pad thickness.
Padding more than 1 2 inch thick causes installation problems and is often not durable.
Some prefer a rubber pad or a synthetic fiber or wool pad for basements.
But with padding thicker pad isn t always the best carpet padding.
Shop all thickness options.
The density of the carpet pad foam is another factor to consider.
The good news is most retailers know the padding thickness you need.
The exception to 7 16 inch as the ideal thickness is short pile and berber carpeting.
Selecting the right carpet pile density.
Carpet padding can come in thicknesses anywhere from under 1 4 up to 1 2.
Padding that is too thick or thin can cause the carpet to wrinkle buckle separate and wear prematurely.
For example a good quality rebond padding 1 4 to 3 8 thickness and a density of at least 8 pounds.
How to choose the right carpet pad.
Thick padding is generally not only not worth it but may result in buckling worn or splitting carpet.
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.
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.
In fact it might even be worse for your home.
Cut pile residential carpet such as those with textures and twists should have padding with a thickness of 1 2 inch or less.
In most cases the ideal thickness of padding is 7 16 inch.
According to abccarpets most residential carpet pads have a thickness of 7 16 inch.
In some instances improper pad thickness voids the carpet s warranty.
Carpet density is basically a combination of height and thickness.
Get to know the basics below to decide which options are best for your home and lifestyle.
Thick padding may not be as durable and anything over 8 16 will cause installation problems.
Widely looped carpets like berber do not react well to thick carpet padding.
It s usually pretty simple because most carpets call for 7 16.
Together they are key factors in your carpet s look and feel and they also influence its resilience and durability.
That s because the thick carpet pad has too much give for a short pile carpet.
For this reason you ll want a thinner carpet pad.
A thick pad can actually damage thin carpet types such as berber.