What Carpet Padding is Best? (Residential)

You’ve found the carpet that you love so why is the pad underneath it so important? Carpet pad not only adds cushion underfoot but it protects your carpet and is required for warranty compliance in most cases. The pad will help lighten the impact of foot traffic and heavy furniture on your carpet. There are so many padding options, it may seem overwhelming and confusing. So in this guide we’re cutting straight to the chase and reviewing the best 2 residential pad options that do great under most residential carpets:

8lb, 7/16” Rebond Padding

This foam pad is compiled from recycled material and is available in different densities and thicknesses. We recommend 8lb, 7/16” because it performs great under a nice mid-grade nylon and will withstand even the heaviest of traffic. Most importantly, it is cushy and comfortable underfoot! The lighter density pad, 4 or 6lb will be cushy but not withstand traffic for years to come. And on the opposite spectrum, a 10lb will be durable but is very firm underfoot. The 8lb, 7/16” rebond pad is our most popular pad. It is a fantastic value, performs well and is very comfortable!

Rebond with Moisture Barrier Pad

Another great foam pad option is one similar to the standard 8lb rebond pad, except it has a moisture barrier layer on top. One to look at in this category is the Shaw St. Jude’s Charity pad. This pad is not “waterproof” but it will hold spills over the pad for a longer period of time than the standard rebond pad. Bonus on this one is that it has memory foam in the mix adding a different feel! This pad may be good for the home where accidents and spills happen more often. This pad will wear just as wonderfully overtime as the standard foam rebond padding. You can read more about the St. Jude Charity pad on Shaw’s website here.

There are occasions where we install felt padding, rubber padding or different rebond pad densities but for the majority of our residential customers, the standard 8lb and St. Jude’s Charity pad are our main GO TO’s! If you’d like a detailed guide to other types of carpet padding, Alan the Carpet Professor has excellent information here.