Choosing the Best Carpet Pad for Your New Flooring
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Posted On :
Aug-08-2011
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Article Word Count :
768
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It’s a common scenario: Consumers spend countless hours browsing through carpet samples, paying close attention to the type, color and quality of each one.
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It’s a common scenario: Consumers spend countless hours browsing through carpet samples, paying close attention to the type, color and quality of each one. They feel good about their investment and make the decision to have the carpeting installed. Yet little attention is given toward the carpeting pad, which means the flooring becomes matted and worn down over a few short years. Although the pad is something that many consumers don’t consider, it’s an important piece to the puzzle and will ensure that your carpeting either lasts – or doesn’t last – as it should.
Simply put, carpet padding is the foundation of any carpeting selection. In fact, if you had to choose between higher quality flooring or padding, it would probably be best to choose the better padding. With that in mind, the carpeting and padding should complement one another. While you may pay more on the front end, you will be highly satisfied with the end result and will not need to replace your carpeting as soon as if you didn’t purchase a quality pair.
So what role does carpet padding play in the longevity of the flooring? First, it absorbs the abuse that the carpeting would otherwise get hit with. For example, when walking on flooring, the foot traffic placed on the carpeting causes the fibers to break down, the backing to stretch and the backing layers to come apart. With proper padding, this abuse will instead be given to the padding that will absorb the wear and cause the carpeting to last much longer. Just be sure to choose the proper thickness of the padding, as those that are too thin will cause the carpeting to take the rest of the abuse. Pads that are too thick will hinder the ability to get a tight fit with the carpeting during installation.
The reason why many consumers settle for mediocre carpeting padding is because the majority of flooring retailers only carry two different types of padding. Since the pads are purchased in bulk quantities, retailers will just purchase what they need in a few different styles, without offering a complete selection to customers. What you’ll find with many companies is that they offer their standard padding and their upgraded padding. Without knowing the details regarding the performance of the padding selections, many consumers are drawn to the standard, economical pads that offer little satisfaction down the road.
In general, it’s recommended that an 8 pound, 3/8” pad is suitable for berbers, while an 8 pound, ½” pad is appropriate for cut piles. This is a good rule of thumb to work with, as many retailers carry an 8 pound version of padding. It’s best not to go over ½” in thickness, as this could cause the additional problems of adding too much flex or not allowing the carpeting to be held in by the tack strip. When you’ve done the appropriate research, you can rely on the recommendations of the salespersons and feel confident that he or she is steering you in the right direction as to which carpet padding to choose.
You may also be asked whether you’d like to upgrade to moisture barrier padding. This will not affect the durability of the padding, but will instead offer a barrier if your carpeting is exposed to leaks or moisture. In some cases, this type of padding is a great choice and will offer that extra protection you need when your pet has an accident or juice is spilled from your child. Yet if carpeting won’t be subjected to frequent spills or leaks, upgrading to moisture barrier padding isn’t really necessary.
After choosing a padding that is right for your home and family, look for retailers that can order the cushioning. Let this be one of the first questions you ask, that way, you only have to work with those companies that can get you the products you need. You’ll be surprised to find that many of these padding selections are not much more expensive than the styles that retailers stock, although there will be some price difference. Because retailers buy their padding in bulk quantities at greater savings, some of these savings are passed down to the consumer. The majority of savings are given to the retailer however, so don’t be afraid to ask about ordering a different selection.
With a quality padding selection, you will enjoy longer wearing carpet, improved sound absorption, a more comfortable feel on the feet and ultimately, a better investment in the long run.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_ Choosing the Best Carpet Pad for Your New Flooring_72063.aspx
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Author Resource :
Darrell Potter writes out of Vancouver about a variety home decor tips, and gives advice on how to maintain your home and carpet looking sharp. Always looking for the highest quality materials at the lowest cost possible, he tends to end up shopping at http://www.flooringcanada.ca/carpet.aspx more often than not.
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Keywords :
carpet, carpeting installed,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Home Improvement
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