Facts About Carpet Padding

Carpet padding is used just about anywhere carpets are found. It serves as both an insulator and sound dampener and comes in several different styles. Although there are various thicknesses and densities in each, the three broad categories of carpet padding are fiber, rubber and foam.

Fiber

In this padding, natural fibers, such as wool or jute, or synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, are woven together into a pad that resembles a sheet of felt. These types of pads are made from new and recycled materials. Though jute is not recyclable, it does biodegrade and is plentiful.

Rubber

Rubber padding provides more cushion than fiber padding, and it is more resistant to moisture and odors. Rubber padding is also made from new and recycled materials.

Foam

Today, foam in its many forms comprises nearly 90 percent of all carpet padding produced and sold in the U.S. The main reason for this is the ease with which foam padding can be recycled. In fact, over half of all used carpet padding is recycled each year, which places it in the same neighborhood of aluminum (around 70 percent).