When choosing a carpet pad for the subfloor, two popular options usually come about; 6lb carpet and the 8lb carpet pads. The right carpet pad holds your carpet well and prolongs its longevity.
In comparing the 6lb. carpet vs. 8lb. carpet pad, the critical factor is the needs at hand. The 8lb. carpet padding is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas thanks to its heavier weight and durable build.
On the other hand, a 6lb. carpet pad is lightweight and soft. It’s the perfect option for rooms with low traffic. Yet, the softness provides a cozy feeling as you walk on it.
This article will compare the two types of carpet pads and tell you which one is the best pick for what jobs.
The Difference Between 6 lb. Carpet Pad Vs. 8lb. Carpet Pad
Generally, the thickness and weight of the carpet pad are the most visible factors here. The 6lb. carpet padding has less thickness and is lighter in weight than the heavier and thicker 8lb. carpet pad.
When it comes to softness, you’ll love the spongy feel that a 6lb. pad brings. It’s soft and cozy, making it ideal for bedrooms. The 8lb. padding is stiffer and preferred for high-traffic areas.
In terms of holding the subfloor and carpet in perfect shape, the 8lb. pad does the best job. When the rug is intact, it doesn’t slide around.
That’s not the same as 6lb. padding. This type makes the carpet slide, especially when installed in busy sections of the room.
Carpet durability should be a crucial point of consideration. The 8lb. padding has a higher density rating, which is increases a carpet’s longevity because it has great strength to resist wear and tear.
For a 6lb. carpet pad, its density rating is low. This means that it won’t last long and requires frequent replacements.
However, these carpets are inexpensive, unlike the 8lb. counterparts that may command slightly higher prices on the market.
With that being said, both carpet pad types are suitable for different reasons. Note that the prevailing conditions in your home determine which kind of pad to have on the subfloor.
Is an 8lb. Carpet Padding Good?
The density and thickness are critical factors to consider when buying carpet padding. Thankfully, an 8lb. carpet pad offers both qualities.
An 8lb. carpet pad is a common choice for a good carpet cushion. This padding is neither too thick nor too thin. So, it can absorb just about any abuse thrown on it, providing enough protection for the carpet.
The best place to install this pad is around high traffic areas like stairs and hallways. Because of its resilience, you don’t have to worry much about the carpet receiving a lot of impacts.
However, this carpet pad isn’t the cozy kind. Instead, it’s stiff and not soft underfoot. This means you won’t gain too much comfort while walking on the carpet. Considering the benefits, this can only be a shadow of the problems you would experience with a poor pad underneath.
This carpet pad is a long-term solution to your carpet problems. But to purchase it, you might have to part with top-dollar.
Is 6lb Padding Good?
Some residential carpet pads are designed with a 6lb density rating. While this is a good pad, it’ll need regular replacement due to its thickness.
In general, a 6lb. carpet padding is good for cushioning properties. You can have it fixed for flooring in low-traffic sections of the home where there’s less impact.
When you use this pad type, your walking on the carpet will be comfortable, courtesy of the softness it comes with. Yet, it doesn’t offer the much-required protection to the carpet.
Since the pad wrinkles a lot, it’s not uncommon to encounter the carpet sliding as you walk on it. Make sure to use the right carpet that matches this padding.
Too thick carpets are a no-no for it – because it reduces the lifespan of the carpet in the end. And if that happens, you know that more money is needed to buy a new carpet for the floor.
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Things to Consider When Choosing a Carpet Pad for Flooring?
Before purchasing a 6lb carpet or 8lb carpet, there are things you want to think about first. Let’s have a look at them.
- Weight
Weight determines where you fix the pad. A lightweight pad is placed in areas that people don’t walk on most of the time.
Since lightweight pads are more responsive underfoot, some homeowners find them a remarkable indictment of comfort. So, they mostly install these pads in bedrooms.
The heavier pads are installed in areas where there’s a lot of walking activity. They’re rigid and withstand the pressure much better. Hence, they provide the ultimate security to rugs.
- Durability
It’s vital to look for a durable carpet pad as it stretches the longevity of a carpet. These pads are built with incredible strength that absorbs the impact experienced in high-traffic home areas.
- Softness
If your goal is to have a highly-responsive rug pad, then a lightweight pad is recommended. But, note that the softer and cozier a carpet pad becomes, the easier it’ll be to wear out.
Softness also comes with increased instances of the carpet moving around. This is not what you want, especially if durability is your concern.
- Traffic in the home
Depending on the state of traffic inside your house, you can always determine which carpet pad to use in different places. It would be best to consider high-quality, impact-resistant carpet pads for areas with a lot of walking. Softer and lightweight carpet pads should fit in areas with low traffic.
What Is a Good Thickness for Carpet Padding?
One of the most common questions by homeowners is whether thicker carpet padding is the better deal. Without question, carpet pads should provide a sufficient level of cushioning.
A decent thickness of the padding shouldn’t be more than ½”. This applies to many different types of carpet pads.
However, increasing thickness doesn’t always translate to good padding. For instance, a thicker pad can cause wrinkles on your carpet.
The outcomes of a wrinkled carpet are a danger. You can trip and fall seriously on the floor or some objects and, worst of all, destroy your carpet.
It’s vital to remember that a carpet pad for Berber carpets is thin, about 3/8”. Rugs used in commercial spaces or houses come thick. For the residential carpets, you can get a moderately thicker one.
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Types of Carpet Padding
- Rebond Foam Carpet Pad
Of all types of carpet padding, rebond pads are the most commonly used in homes. The pad is made from recycled foam and comes in various thicknesses and densities. The essential characteristic of the rebounded carpet pad is its multi-colored appearance.
Pros:
- Used by many people
- Provides value for money
- Eco-friendly pad 100% recycled foam
- Highly durable
Cons:
- Not great for high-traffic areas.
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene can cause yellowing of carpets
Overall, this is the popular carpet pad for many households and provides a bang for your bucks.
- Prime Foam Carpet Pad
Made from virgin polyurethane foam, this pad is designed with more density. It boasts a firm cushion initially and tends to sink with time.
Pros:
- Provides soft landing
- Cheap
- It comes in different densities and thicknesses
Cons:
- Easily collapses
- Not very durable
Overall, this is essentially a pad for low-traffic areas.
- Memory Foam Carpet Pad
With the memory foam pads, frothed foam is used alongside other elements to fabricate them. This pad is incredibly soft and highly responsive while walking on it.
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Lightweight
- Durable
Cons:
- Not ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Expensive
Overall, this is an excellent pad for comfort.
- Rubber Pads
Rubber padding is a premium type of pad that can be excellent flooring material. Rubber is a highly durable option if you don’t want to keep changing your pads now and then.
Rubber pads are the perfect choice for use in high-traffic segments of the home. They can withstand impact much better, leaving your carpet in good shape for a long time.
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Effective in high-traffic areas
- Ultimate carpet protection
Cons:
- Pricy
Don’t forget to check with this one for a luxury carpet pad.
Final Thoughts on 6 lb Carpet Pad Vs 8lb Carpet Pad
The 6lb and 8lb carpet pads are both solid options for your home. But, you must know where to use which type of pad.
For high-traffic areas, consider having the 8lb. pad because it can safely absorb a lot of pressure. This is attributed to its thickness and more resolute design.
Use 6lb. carpet pads in areas where walking is just limited to a few movements. They may be suitable for a comfortable response but don’t have the qualities to resist much impact.
The right carpet pad should protect your carpet well and elongate its lifespan. Besides, the carpet pad should match the size of the carpet to function without a fuss.
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