Why A Rug Pad May Contain Adhesives

Most rug pads found today contain some sort of adhesives. Manufacturers use the adhesives as a cost saving method towards the performance of their rug pads, yet this compromises quality and protection.

Felt Rug Pads and Adhesives

Felt rug pad is compressed into a certain density when it is being manufactured. Once out of the press, the padding looks fuzzy because of the nature of the material. The manufactures then apply a clear adhesive to each side of the pad. This adhesive dries and keeps the felt intact and prevents it from shedding. Unfortunately, this same adhesive can harm the floor, cause an odor and off-gas.

Non Slip Rug Padding and Adhesives

Most of us have seen the mesh or waffle looking rug pads in many stores. These are the pads with holes in them and have come to be known as non slip pads. Most people also refer to these thinner pads as rubber rug pads. The fact is that these pads are made of plastic and normally come from China. During the manufacturing process, an adhesive is applied to the padding. The intent of the adhesive is to give the pad a non slip function. The adhesive is sticky to the touch and actually adheres to the floor to prevent rug slipping, hence the phrase non slip rug pad. Here, again, the problem with the adhesive is that it causes damage to the floor, smells and will off-gas combined with the plastic.

The other type of non slip rug pad, the felt and rubber one, is made in such a way that the rubber is attached to the felt with glue or adhesive. This is proven to cause harm to the floor and, depending on its use, can actually break down and have a short lifespan. If any water or liquid is spilled on the pad, the mixture with the adhesive within the pad can cause very negative results.

The main reason why manufacturers use adhesives on their rug pads is based on a cost factor. Using commercial adhesives to keep rug pads together or to allow them to prevent slipping costs much less money than the alternative method of production, mainly using heat pressing instead. Heat pressing is more time consuming and costs more than simply applying a coating of adhesive to the rug pad, so this is not an attractive process to most manufacturers.

How to Avoid Adhesives in Rug Pads

At Rug Pad Corner, we do not believe in the use or application of any adhesives or chemicals to our rug pads. To keep the felt intact in Superior Rug Pad, we utilize an intense heat pressing process that actually presses the felt together without the use of glue or adhesive. Ultra Premium contains a solid layer of natural rubber that is also heat pressed to the felt. Our Super Hold rubber rug pad, a look-a-like to the popular mesh looking pads, is made of all natural rubber. Since rubber naturally adheres to surfaces, there is no need to apply a sticky adhesive to allow it to prevent rug slipping. All of our rug pads are made with the materials they are described with and without any adhesives or glue.

Since you have many choices in rug pads today, you may settle for one of the many containing adhesive, yet you do not have to. Visit rugpadcorner.com for natural felt and rubber rug pads made the old fashioned way and meant to last and perform in the safest possible manner.

Rug Pads and Exercise

Many people exercise, stretch or perform yoga on top of their area rug or carpet. The right rug pad can add extra comfort for such exercise, as well as safety from slipping.

We often hear of customers talking about exercising on top of their area rug while they follow a certain exercise video or routine. We are also often asked about our rug pads for use under these rugs to make the exercise more comfortable and to keep the rug in place during exercise. While some rugs can be quite comfortable on their own, the addition of a quality rug pad can add even more comfort to make it very difficult to feel the hard floor underneath. Some exercises involve much movement and pressure and this can normally cause the rug to shift and slip. A non slip rug pad works to keep the rug in place under even very strenuous exercise.

Felt or Foam Rug Pad Adds Extra Comfort

In terms of the comfort level, a felt or foam rug pad adds quite a bit to any area rug. These types of rug pads offer anywhere from 1/4″ to 1/2″ extra thickness under the rug. This added cushion can prove to make any type of exercise much more comfortable. The main difference between a foam and felt rug pad is the material. One contains recycled felt and the other contains either rebond or memory foam. A foam rug pad feels more plush and many people describe it as more comfortable. Felt rug pads are intended to be more dense so that they can resist better to protect the rug and floor from damage. While they offer different levels of density, felt and foam rug pads both offer extra comfort for exercise.

Non Slip Rug Pads Keeps Rug in Place During Exercise

Depending on the size of the rug and type of exercise, there can be some slipping involved. A non slip rug pad can prevent this slipping to make any exercise safer and more efficient. For comfort, a felt and rubber rug pad is best, as it adds cushion and prevents slipping. The typical thin non slip rug pad may prevent the slipping, yet it will not add much comfort.

Rug Padding Adds Warmth to Cold Floor

Depending on location and type of floor, the exercise platform can feel cold. Since felt rug pads have excellent thermal properties, they can add warmth to any floor. A comfortable and warm floor is important for exercises such as yoga, where the floor is quite an important element of the exercise.

When it comes to exercise, especially at home, comfort and safety are a very important part of the experience. Since many exercises involve the floor and many people use area rugs, a rug pad can support many forms of exercise. Based on your situation and requirements, choosing the proper rug pad will prove to add to the benefits of the exercise.

 

When Should Rug Pad Be Replaced?

A quality rug pad should normally last at least fifteen years with normal use and care. While timing is a good gauge, it is important to know the signs of when your rug pad should be replaced.

When to Replace Felt Rug Pad

Felt rug pads contain only felt and ours is meant to last at least fifteen years before needing to be replaced. Other felt rug pads could contain air or adhesives, so their lifespan may not be as long. There are a few way to know that it is time to replace your felt rug pad. The first is to notice if there is any shedding of the felt. When you sweep or vacuum, if you start to notice loose fuzzy material around the edges of your rug, then the chances are that the felt is breaking down. Before the pad starts to really shed, it is a good time to replace it. Another way to determine if your felt rug pad needs replacing is if it seems to be much thinner than original condition. Felt can compress over time and as it does, it loses some of its protective values. Since the density level affects protection to rug and floor, when the padding loses most of its resistance, it should be replaced.

When to Replace Felt and Rubber Rug Pad

Felt and rubber rug pads should be examined a bit more carefully than an all felt rug pad because of the existence of the rubber. We have already seen how to determine of the felt needs to be replaced and the rubber shows wear a little differently. The natural characteristics of rubber when it need to be replaced shows us signs of drying and cracking. This is inevitable and the only fact that differs among various quality of rubber is the amount of time before needing replacement. The most important way to determine of the felt and rubber rug pad need to be replaced is to check the state of the rubber. When the rubber shows signs of cracking, this is a good time to replace the rug pad. The next stage may be that the rubber starts to disintegrate into a fine dust like substance that can cause quite a mess, so it is best to replace before this point.

When to Replace All Rubber Rug Pad

Like with the felt and rubber rug pad, an all rubber rug pad should be checked for signs of drying. After about twelve years of use, it is a good idea to check the rug pad for signs of cracking. Rubber cracking refers to the fact that it is drying out and this means it will not be an effective means of slip prevention. Before the cracking turns into disintegration, it is a good idea to replace the rug pad.

While most quality rug pads will last at least fifteen years, various situations can affect the lifespan of any rug pad. It is always a good idea to start to check your rug pad after ten years of use for signs of wear related to any of the descriptions noted above. Replacing your rug pad in time can prevent damage to the floor and can maintain proper protection for your area rug.

Which Side of Felt Rug Pad Goes Down?

Both sides of felt rug pad look similar and people wonder which side to put down against the floor. While there is little difference between the sides, one side is recommended to go against the floor.

All Felt Rug Pad

All felt rug pad contains felt on both sides and through the entire rug pad. During the manufacturing process, one side of the pad is needle punched in a different manner than the other. The result is a side that is smoother and stiffer than the other side. This smoother side is meant to be used up against the back of an area rug. The other side is a little fuzzier and softer and it goes against the hard floor. The reason for this is to prevent any scratching or damage to hardwood floors. It is argued that the smoother side provides a stiffer foundation for the back of the area rug, adding to the protection of the rug. Based on this, always place a felt rug pad softer side down against the floor.

Felt and Rubber Rug Pad

Felt rug pads are also made with a layer of rubber. The top felt surface is stiff. In some quality rug pads, the felt also contains a texture to prevent rug slipping off the rug pad, such as our Ultra Premium. The lower side is rubber and this is meant to go against the floor. The rubber prevents slipping on the floor to keep everything in place. There are some felt and rubber rug pads that are advertised as reversible for use on carpet too. For this purpose, the rubber would face up and felt side would be down on the carpet. While not guaranteed to keep rugs flat on carpet, reversible rug pads have become popular.

Felt rug pad has become one of the most effective types of rug padding available today. Based on its natural elements and density, it has proven to offer an excellent value for the protection and comfort it provides. As one of the main manufacturers of felt rug padding in the United States, Rug Pad Corner is stringent about what goes into our Superior and Ultra Premium pads. Like with most reputable rug pad manufacturers, we take care to use only natural fibers without the addition of any chemicals, glues or adhesives. For this reason, our felt rug pads perform for more than fifteen years under any conditions.

 

5 Ways to Protect Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are an investment that should be properly protected. Some simply care and routine maintenance will protect your floors for a lifetime of use.

Protect Hardwood Floor from Scratches

There are so many reasons that cause scratches to hardwood floors. Most reasons for scratches are from things that can easily be prevented. Shoes coming in from outdoors are one of the most popular reasons for scratches in your floor. There can be small stones or other particles stuck in the sole of shoes that will scratch hardwood floors once they are walked on. You can either ask people to remove their shoes before walking on the floor, or check the bottom of the shoes for any particles. Another reason for scratches is the movement of furniture on the floor. Try to place soft felt pads under furniture legs, or lift, not push, the furniture if you need to move it. One other reason for scratches to hardwood floors is the back of an area rug being against the floor. Many rugs contain a rough backing that is pressed against the floor when walked on. To prevent this, use a rug pad on hardwood floors to act as a barrier.

Prevent Fading to Hardwood Floors

A very common problem caused to hardwood floors is that of fading. Sunlight can do much damage to the floor finish and will fade the finish over time. The intensity and amount of time the sun hits the floor determines the range of the fading. To prevent and minimize any fading, use window covers and keep them closed during times of intense sunlight. If this is not possible, then you may apply a window film that prevents harmful sun rays entering and harming the floor. In any case, know that sun is the leading cause of fading to hardwood floors and try to divert it or prevent it from coming through the windows for long periods of time.

Clean Your Hardwood Floors Regularly to Prevent Buildup

Your hardwood floor can experience much traffic and shoes bring lots of dirt. Even if your floor looks clean, I assure you that dirt does build up and creates a film on your floor. Some of the dirt can be easily seen and vacuumed, while other dirt is less obvious. If the film of dirt builds up, it may be difficult to remove without the use of a buffing machine. To avoid this build up, it is a good idea to give your hardwood floors a deep scrubbing every two weeks. With a mop, use warm water or a water and vinegar mixture to scrub the floor. While the floor is damp, use a dry cloth to wipe dry. Do not allow the floors to dry naturally, as this will allow any dirt to remain on the floor.

Protect Your Hardwood Floors from Dents

Some hardwood floor species are softer than others and are susceptible to dents from furniture. Heavy furniture can actually push into the floor and cause dents. You should determine if this is the case with your furniture and if so, then you need to place something under the furniture legs. There are felt pads and furniture cups that are used for this purpose, yet it is best to find a furniture pad that prevents dents and slipping. This is ideally the most effective protection for your hardwood floors against furniture damage.

Use the Right Vacuum on Hardwood Floors

You may vacuum your hardwood floors to remove any dirt and dust. It is best to use a vacuum without the beater brush activated. Some vacuums do not have a brush and others have one that can be paused. The beater brush is great for rugs and carpet, yet it can scratch hardwood floors because there me be items trapped within the brush bristles that can scratch the floor. Based on this, always vacuum things directly off the floor with suction only, not with suction and brush.

If you have hardwood floors in your home, protect them with some simple prevention such as rug padding and proper maintenance. When your floors are treated right, they will offer a lifetime of performance and beauty.

What’s the Best Rug Pad for a Silk Rug?

Silk rugs tend to be very fine, yet fragile and easily wrinkle and slide on the floor. Rug pad for silk rug must be able to prevent wrinkling and slipping.

Most silk rugs are made by hand and are extremely fine. While silk is one of the strongest fibers in area rugs, it is also soft and gives a fragile effect. Since the fibers are soft, within a rug they tend to wrinkle easily. A quality rug pad is required to keep the rug as flat as possible and in place on every hard floor. When a silk rug is kept flat and dos not slip, it then is protected against premature wear and damage. For these reasons, a rug pad for silk rug should be quite dense and should be able to prevent slipping on both top and bottom surfaces.

Most rug pads available contain a non slip surface on one side, normally the side against the floor. Since silk rugs are so soft and flexible, they tend to slip right on the top of the pad. Based on the fact that most felt and rubber rug pads contain a smooth felt surface, the silk rug will slip off the surface. Non slip rug pads do a great job to keep the rug on place on any hard floor, yet we must also consider keeping the rug in place on top of the padding. Our Ultra Premium is perhaps the only rug pad that does this.

Ultra Premium is manufactured in a unique way. It contains a felt surface and rubber lower surface. The most impressive part of this rug pad is that both surfaces contain a distinct texture. The felt surface contains a series of  deep ridges in an exclusive pattern. These ridges actually grab to and hold any silk rug to prevent slipping on top of the pad. The bottom natural rubber contains a distinct pattern. A hexagonal tire tread like design acts to grip to any hard floor surface better than any other non slip rug pad. This prevents any silk rug moving, slipping or sliding on the floor. The result of the top and bottom textured surfaces is a silk rug that will not move and will remain as flat as possible.

The facts show that the best rug pad for silk rugs truly is our Ultra Premium rug pad. We manufacture it and make it available in all sizes and shapes, as well as custom. You may shop Ultra Premium rug pad at this link: https://rugpadcorner.com/shop/ultra-premium/.

Benefits of an Oriental Rug Pad

Oriental Rug Pad benefits include protection to the rug against wear and damage. Rug pad under oriental rug can prolong the life of the rug and add comfort and safety.

Benefits of an Oriental Rug Pad can actually add years of life to your rug and make it look great during the years of use. Oriental Rug can experience much stress and wear when it is used on a hard floor surface. Rug pad acts as a protective barrier between the rug and floor. The right rug pad is able to absorb much of the normal stress passed on to the rug. When the rug pad prevents wear to the rug, it preserves the condition and adds years of life to any oriental rug.

Oriental Rug is normally made by hand and contains finely tied knots. These knots actually keep the rug together and are on the back of the rug. Sitting on a hardwood or hard floor surface, the knots of the oriental rug can see much stress. When we walk on the rug or place heavy furniture on it, we push down into the rug and force the knots to rug against the floor. Consistent rubbing of these knots can lead to wear. Since the knots keep the oriental rug together, adding wear to them can negatively affect the condition and lifespan of the rug. The rug pad will absorb this pressure to protect the knots against premature wear and unnecessary damage.

Benefits of an Oriental Rug Pad help to preserve the pile fibers of the rug. When the rug is walked on, this pushes down into the fibers to cause them to be crushed. Dense rug pad actually helps the fibers resist the pressure to spring them back to position. This prevents wear of the pile of the rug and keeps it looking good. Oriental rug without a rug pad will look flat and used much faster than if it has a rug pad under it. The fibers in the pile continue to get crushed and will stop going back to original position.

Benefits of an Oriental Rug Pad include safety. Many smaller rugs tend to slip and slide on a floor. Non-slip rug pad prevents slipping and keeps rug flat and in place. When oriental rug slips, it can wrinkle. If the wrinkles are constantly walked on, those parts of the rug will show more wear before other parts. Uneven wear to oriental rug reduces its value and takes away from its life. Non-slip rug pad holds the rug to the pad to prevent wrinkles that can cause uneven wear and dangerous tripping.

Rug Pad Corner knows every Oriental Rug is an investment that should be protected with the right rug pad and care. In terms of a rug pad, we recommend a dense felt. Our Ultra Premium and Superior rug pads are rated for use under Oriental Rugs based on their density. No amount of weight or pressure will penetrate through to cause risk of wear or damage to the rug. You may visit us at rugpadcorner.com to learn more about Oriental Rug Pads and find the perfect one for your rug.

Avoid Purchasing Cut and Folded Rug Pad to assure receiving a rug pad without stubborn fold lines. Buying a rug pad that has been cut and folded could cause damage and uneven wear to area rug and floor.

In terms of buying an area rug pad, it is best to avoid purchasing cut and folded rug pad. Most stores like to purchase stock of rug pads that are already cut, folded and bagged to simply place on the store shelves. While this form of rug pad is practical and feasible for stores, it is a problem when it comes to actually using the rug pad under your rug. Rug pads that have been folded tend to retain significant fold lines within the material. These fold lines can pose problems a few ways. They can show through the rug to create a less than desirable look. They can cause wear to both the area rug and hardwood or wood floors. Lastly, rug pad with fold lines can be dangerous as it can cause a trip hazard.

At Rug Pad Corner, we stock each type of rug pad we offer in actual roll form. There is never a rug pad already cut and folded in a bag or box. We cut each rug pad based on the orders when we receive them. This assures that our rug pads will open and stay flat on the floor under the area rug. Unlike any other store offering rug pads, we only fold room size rug pads in half once and only do this on shipping day. If we are shipping a 9′ x 12′ rug pad, we will fold it in half and then roll it into tube format. The light fold in the middle of the rug pad is immediately eliminated once the rug is placed on top of it. For rug pads less than five feet wide, we simply roll without any fold.

Avoid purchasing cut and folded rug pad from popular stores that offer such products. The rug pad can actually be folded for several weeks or months before it ships and this makes for an inferior quality pad. Many customers come to us with great concern about how we ship our rug pads based on prior experience with other stores. These customers are relieved to learn that we do not partake in such folding practice and that their orders are actually cut the day we ship them. The performance of a rug pad is based on several factors and one is the way in which it lays on the floor. Rug pads that are bumpy on the floor lead to wear, damage and danger.

Benefits of a Rug Pad

Rug Pad provides protection to area rug and floor, prevents slipping and adds comfort.

Benefits of a rug pad can be seen upon initial use. Every rug that is walked on should have a rug pad under it. A rug pad provides protection for rug and floor from unnecessary wear and damage. It also provides safety to rugs that tend to slip by preventing slipping. A rug pad also offers extra comfort against hard floors and insulation against cold and noise. For these reasons, we say a rug pad offers many benefits.

Rug Pad Protects Rug and Floor
One of the important benefits of a rug pad is that it protects rug and floor. Since a rug is normally walked on and can have furniture on it, it is exposed to stress and pressure. This pressure can push into the rug to affect rug and floor. Rug can experience premature wear and floor can experience scratches and dents. The right rug pad between rug and floor can resist the pressure to relieve rug and floor of possible damage and wear. This will greatly increase the life of rug and floor while preserving their appearance.

Rug Pad Provides Safety
Many smaller and lighter area rugs tend to slip on hard floors. Rug pad can provide safety with non-slip function to prevent rug slipping on the floor. There are non-slip rug pads containing rubber that grip to the floor and do not allow any rug slipping or moving on hardwood or any hard floor surface. It is important to avoid non-slip rug pads that contain plastic and adhesives. Most mesh looking rug pads do not add any benefit to rugs and floors because they tend to off-gas and damage the floor. Choose natural rubber non-slip rug pad, such as our Super Hold, that is safe for all floors.

Rug Pad Provides Comfort and Insulation
One of the rewards of using a rug pad is that it adds extra comfort and insulates against cold and noise. Felt rug pad is best for this, as it is solid and dense. There are thick felt rug pads with excellent thermal properties to make any cold floor feel warmer. This same rug pad adds up to 1/2″ thick comfort under the rug to make the floor feel less hard. Certain felt rug pads also perform as noise reduction rug pads for those floors that are noisy. Ultra Premium and Superior felt rug pads are dense enough to absorb and prevent noise and are rated as some of the top noise reduction rug pads.

Several characteristics of a rug pad should be considered when using any area rug on any floor. Rug Pad prolongs the life of the rug and makes the home safer and more comfortable. Rug Pad Corner offers some of the finest rug pads to add all of these benefits to all types of area rugs and floors.

Rubber Rug Pads are not all the Same in terms of felt and rubber rug pads. This type of rug pad contains a felt surface and rubber lower surface and differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Rubber rug pads are not all the same based on material and construction. There are a few materials that actually look and feel like rubber, yet they are very close imitations. Such imitations may prevent rug slipping at first, yet could cause much floor damage. The manner in which rubber is attached to the felt makes a difference in rug pad performance, safety and life. The most common method of attaching rubber to felt is by applying glue. The glue can cause problems, as it can off-gas and cause damage to hardwood and all hard floors.

Our felt and rubber rug pad, Ultra Premium, is compared to all others and we are proud to note major differences in quality and design. We manufacture Ultra Premium by using a solid layer of natural rubber. Others use either a “synthetic” rubber or a latex spray. We attach our rubber to the felt with an intense heat pressing process to avoid any glue. Others either use glue to attach the “synthetic” rubber or they spray a latex to the felt. Our rubber contains a very distinct texture, while others contain very little or no texture.

Rubber rug pads are not all the same in terms of the actual rubber that is used. We use a solid layer of natural rubber that is not treated at all. So, what sits on your floor is actual rubber. Since it is only natural rubber, it is completely safe for the floor. Other felt and rubber rug pads have a rubber-like material that is commonly treated with some sort of adhesive, glue or chemical. These are applied to keep the rubber attached to the felt and to also give a sticky feel. The problem with such additives is that they are also known to transfer to and damage the floor. This is related to the many horror stories revolving around rubber rug pads that stick to floors.

Texture within a rubber rug pad can make the difference between rug slipping and rug staying in place. Our Ultra Premium shows a very unique hexagonal pattern within the rubber surface. This is designed to allow more rubber to be in contact with more floor to create a suction cup effect. Most others contain a much smoother rubber-like surface that actually may allow rug slipping over time. Texture within the rubber not only prevents slipping, it also allows the floor to breath.

Rubber rug pads are not all the same and this is the reason why it is important to analyze the rug pad you choose. It is important to make sure that it is actually real rubber, that it is not treated in any way, that it contains a distinct texture and that it is not glued to the felt. All of these variables play an important role in the performance of your rubber rug pad, as well as to the safety of the floor it is to be used on.