An integral part of carpet installation is the selection of appropriate carpet padding, a sandwich layer between the
carpet and the subfloor. Carpet padding contributes to comfort, reduces fatigue and significantly prolongs the life of the
carpet. Padding protects the carpet from premature wear and tear by reducing direct friction of the carpet with the subfloor.
A desirable characteristic of good carpet padding is firmness and density. A dense cushion of firm construction allows the
padding to spring back to its original shape. It retains this property far longer than a thicker padding. In fact too thick a
padding is undesirable as imposes too much strain on the carpet. This compromises its effective life.
With the movement to green flooring and eco–friendly floor products consumers also have the option of having
green carpet padding installed. There are three main types of carpet padding all of which have options that are
eco–friendly for one reason or another.
- Foam padding is normally used with most carpet installation and comes in three grades. Some foam carpet padding is made
of recycled scraps, which are the discards of padding manufacture, car upholstery and other foam products.
- Rubber carpet padding is by far the most expensive and provides the most cushioning and comfort. Natural rubber is made
from latex off the sap of rubber trees which could be considered a renewable resource. Alternatively, some rubber padding is
made from recycled rubber like discarded tires from landfills.
- Fiber carpet pads are made of natural or synthetic fibers. Some natural fiber is a sustainable resource and eco-friendly.
Synthetic fiber carpet padding if recycled from other waste material could also be considered a green pad. However, off
gassing can be an issue with fiber padding.
