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Rug Pads For Hardwood Floors
Rug pads for hardwood floors are a hot topic because so many unsuspecting hardwood floor owners end up with "stained" or severely discolored floors due to a chemical reaction between the rug pad material and the floor finish.
If you are looking for specific product suggestions you can purchase online or research, click here to view our recommended rug pads for hardwood floors.
The following information pertains strictly to polyurethane-coated solid hardwood floors. First, lets talk about what you should use as a rug pad for hardwood floors. Next, we'll show you what not to use so that you can inspect what you may already have.
What Rug Pad Material To Use
Rug pads for hardwood floors are frequently mislabeled or even misrepresented. You will see many marked as "for use with wood floors" or "for use on hard surfaces" ... and you assume it's okay for your hardwood floor. But remember, your hardwood floor has a polyurethane coating and that's the surface which comes in contact with the rug pad - not bare raw wood.
By the way, just as area rugs and rug pads can do major damage to hardwood floors, so can the wrong cleaning products, also frequently mislabeled or misrepresented. Be sure to check out how to clean hardwood floors.
Area rugs themselves should be non-staining so that the colors don't bleed into your floor. We suggest a rug of the same material front and back, so you can flip them over if desired, such as wool, cotton and many of the oriental-style rugs. Note the cleaning instructions before purchasing.
If you use the right type of rug pad, you can choose any area rug you'd like without concern. For an inexpensive option, we recommend the Rebond Padding made from recycled scraps of foam between 3/8" and 7/16" in thickness. Cut the pad an inch or two smaller than your area rug and use carpet tape on the seams to hold the two together.
Another good option is Polyurethane Padding. It is reusable and has a lot of cushion.
One last suggestion is Fiber Padding made from recycled polyester fibers. This type holds up well but it isn't as comfortable.
What Rug Pad Material NOT To Use
Steer clear of most rubber, foam-backed, latex, plastic-matted or non-ventilated rugs and padding.
Some rugs are made of PVC (vinyl) that contains plasticizers which can discolor the finish or the wood. The damage is permanent and its not a pretty sight. Your floors need to breathe.
In particular, there is a popular anti-skid synthetic rubberized product also used for lining shelves and drawers that
leaves an un-repairable and very distinct crisscross, grid, or egg crate pattern on your hardwood floor. You might find
that even carpet or general flooring stores will recommend it! Yikes! We say ... don't take the chance with this type
of pad if you're not absolutely sure. We've seen the irreversible damage they cause for unsuspecting hardwood floor
owners and a simple buff and recoat won't repair it. The "stain" has to be sanded off, which generally means sanding
your entire floor.
Similarly, there are bathroom-style rugs with a certain type of rubber backing known for yellowing linoleum and vinyl flooring. They also permanently discolor hardwood floors.
And last, do not use a stiff pad with hard cleats or grippers. Many people like to use these near outside entrances, but they can cause indentations in the wood.
Refer to our recommended rug pads for hardwood floors article to view specific product suggestions.