After you have found the perfect rug, narrowed it down by design, color, size, availability, price, fiber content and construction, it may seem there can’t possibly be another decision to make. However there is one final element that could be the most important choice of all; the decision to use an area rug pad.
I often find client reluctance on purchasing area rug pads, and it is understandable. At first blush, the pads are not inexpensive. In addition, it may seem like the rug does not move around so the pad is unnecessary. Yet there are a variety of important reasons a pad should be used in most circumstances. The most essential reason is to protect the wear and life of the rug and most importantly your hardwood floors.
There are three primary functions of a good quality area rug pad. The first is to keep the rug from moving on the floor. This is especially important on hardwood or tile floors with high traffic. The secondary function is to trap the dirt particles that naturally filter through the rug-particles that without a pad will sit between the hardwood and the rug creating a sand paper effect on your hardwood floors. Over time, it will slowly damage the finish of your floors. Finally a pad helps the wear patterns in the rug, much like a wall to wall carpet pad does. It also adds absorbency to the wear patterns, allowing your rug to wear evenly over time. At Area rugs Boise, Augusto Fine Rugs, we recommend the following pads:
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Luxe Hold Pad
- Between 1/8” and 1/4” inch thick
- The rubber side of the pad always goes toward your hard surface, and the felt side of the pad goes toward your wall to wall carpet. On carpet, the pad is reversed so the felt side goes toward the wall to wall carpet and the rubber side goes toward the back of the rug.
- Totally safe on all flooring, including heated flooring.
- Occasionally rug should be pulled back from pad, and pad should be vacuumed. The pad can also be cleaned by using a mild detergent and a cloth.
- We custom trim the pads to be approximately 2” smaller than the dimensions of your area rug. This allows the rug to naturally drape over the pad, thus reducing tripping hazards.
- If you are putting a rug on wall to wall carpet, and end up with wrinkles in the rug due to the weight of the cocktail table or sofa combined with the pile height of the wall to wall carpet, I have found that placing a thin piece of plywood under the cocktail table will help absorb the weight of the furniture and give it a strong foundation. The plywood should go underneath the rug, and be between the pad and rug.
- There is also a pad design for situations with little clearance, such an entry door swing. The All in one pad is an excellent solution for situations where you cannot add any additional thickness to the rug. Also works well in dining rooms.
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There are a few circumstances where pads are still recommended, yet not necessary. Tufted rugs, because of their canvas backing and weight may sometimes not require a pad, or if the rug is large and is being placed on concrete or tile. It is important to note that tile grout lines can cause wear patterns in rugs over time. Ultimately it is your decision, yet I feel it is important to know why using a quality area rug pad is a key component of your overall area rug purchasing decision.
More Information
There are a few circumstances where pads are still recommended, yet not necessary. Tufted rugs, because of their canvas backing and weight may sometimes not require a pad, or if the rug is large and is being placed on concrete or tile. It is important to note that tile grout lines can cause wear patterns in rugs over time. Ultimately it is your decision, yet I feel it is important to know why using a quality area rug pad is a key component of your overall area rug purchasing decision.