Cushion is the underlayment for carpet to help the carpet resist matting and crushing. Cushion is sometimes called padding or pad or lining. Cushion also provides added acoustical, comfort, and insulation benefits and longer wear life for the carpet. Carpets installed over cushion or with attached cushion typically last much longer and are easier to maintain than carpet directly glued to the hard surface.
The quality of a carpet cushion is determined by density (the weight of one cubic foot of the cushion), not thickness and softness. If the cushion is too soft and thick, the carpet excessively flexes with traffic, the backing is put under enormous strain, and the carpet will delaminate. Foam pads should not lose more than half their height when you pinch them. With urethane foam cushion, density is rated at pounds per cubic foot. For example, an 8-pound rebond pad would weigh 8 pounds per cubic foot. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends a residential pad of at least 5 pounds and 3/8 inch thickness for light traffic (a living room), and a pad of 6.5 pounds and 3/8 inch for heavy traffic (hallways). These are minimum guidelines. Berber carpet requires a firm cushion. For commercial installations, the minimum should be 12-14 pounds with a thickness of 1/4 – 3/8 inch.
Here are some of the types of carpet pad we offer:
