Density is typically measured in pounds per cubic foot but sometimes you ll see it listed as ounces per square yard expect the pad density to be 3 10lbs for most common padding.
Types of carpet padding for basement.
The question is how will you know what grade of carpet or padding you are buying.
Opt for a polyurethane foam pad and stay away from a rubber pad.
Any carpet that can be used in other areas of the house can be used in the basement.
Pad density is the 2 factor in pad durability 1 is the type of pad more on that later.
But as a precaution against moisture use an open cell pad to allow the concrete to breathe nearly all pads are open cell pads which provide better insulation and are less expensive than closed cell pads.
For berber carpets the carpet and rug institute recommends a carpet padding no thicker than.
Carpeting a basement isn t impossible and if you like the soft feel of carpet fibers it may very well be the answer for you.
The best carpet pad for basement applications should be made of a synthetic material.
Foam padding urethane this type of pad is often very inexpensive and lightweight.
Less common carpet padding types are made of fibers such as polyester nylon or felt.
The type of padding you select for a concrete floor is perhaps even more important than the type you use in rooms upstairs.
In general the thickness for carpet padding shouldn t be more than.
In fact some carpet types do better with thinner padding.
Most residential carpets are installed over padding.
For example berber carpet with its distinctive loop pattern works well in basements hallways and stairs.
Pad density aka pad weight.
Alternatives to basement carpet.
Any type of carpet can be used in any room but different types of carpet are more popular in certain rooms.
On a cold hard basement floor a soft pad is essential for comfort and warmth.
Concrete is usually used as the subfloor for basements in homes and since most basements are below ground level this makes them prone to dampness.
Unlike with other types of flooring thicker doesn t necessarily mean better in the carpet padding world.
Underpad is generally fine to use in a basement provided it is also synthetic.
Typical cost for a 6 to 8 pound density rebond pad is about 3 50 5 50 per square yard or about 39 to 45 cents per square foot.
This type isn t very soft but it can be ideal for commercial uses and may even be required for some berber carpet types.
Having a nice carpet pad between your carpeting and the concrete subfloor in the basement can really eliminate that feeling and help the room feel as warm as.