Most people don't have much trouble
deciding what type of carpeting they want, whether they're having
the entire house redone, or just a bedroom or playroom. When it
comes to the padding underneath, however, many homeowners figure
that's the place to take shortcuts and save money. That's
a big mistake. While padding comes in many types
and widths, many people choose bargain priced padding, figuring
it's not seen, not felt, and not important. They don't know how
wrong they are until several months later, when the new carpet they
just installed is looking a little loose, or is showing wear spots,
or even sporting unsightly lumps. Don't try to cut corners with
the carpet padding, but choose one that will do a good job
supporting the type of carpet you've purchased.
Carpet padding comes in a variety
of styles, grades and thickness. Designed mostly to increase the
durability of carpeting, the best padding is that which is thinner
rather than thicker, but also denser. Be aware that in some cases,
the warranty that covers your carpet job relies on your following
their guidelines and specifications regarding carpet padding, so
read the fine print before you purchase a roll of padding.
When laying down carpet padding, lay
the carpet padding on a bare floor. Line up edges and tape together
with duct tape or other durable tape. Using a staple gun, staple
the seams every 10-12 inches, working from the center of the padding
seam toward the walls. You can staple the pad to the edge of the
tacking strip that is used to hold the carpeting into place,
and trim long edges with a utility knife.
Sure, carpet padding can be expensive,
but if you want the best looking results, especially those that
last for more than a few weeks, take the time to learn a little
bit about carpet padding. When looking at carpet samples, ask salespeople
the type of carpet padding that is recommended for use beneath each
style.
