Overtime, even the most durable rugs show signs of aging. Obviously this is like area rug pads. If the correct rug pad is used, you will recognize this in a number of different ways. This is because the bottom of your rug is crushed against the hard floor.
After all, most people purchase area rugs so they don’t have to walk on the hard floor. Another reason your rug can wear out faster on the bottom is because hand-knotted rugs have an open weave. But has little, or nothing, to do with area rug pads usually. There are three reasons that using a quality rug pad is important.
By placing a rug pad over the carpet and an area rug on top of that, you will be able to keep your wall-to-wall carpet in great shape and keep it clean. What about safety? Have you ever walked on a rug – especially on a runner – and have it slip underneath you? Have you ever tripped on a curled up edge of a rug walking into a room? In these days of ready law-suits, the last thing you want is a hazard waiting to happen – most importantly to keep you and your family safe, but also to prevent unfortunate accidents for guests. This is similar to carpet rug pads frequently. There is nothing worse than a rug that is not laying flush on the ground.
Rug pads aid in the prevention of bacteria, odor, mildew and mold build up. There are even special types of open cell rug pads for use over floors that have radiant heating to allow heat to freely flow up through the pad and rug. This may only be a thin layer of protection, but you will definitely be able to notice the difference when you are walking in your bare or sock feet.
The adhesive helps secure the rugs in place and the rug pads help to prevent rugs from slipping and causing trips and falls. You don’t want the rug pad to show, so it should be cut to be at least 1/2″ smaller all the way around. The pad that you use under your rug is very important. The benefits of rug pads far exceed the inexpensive price of acquiring them as they are very affordable.