One of the most vital factors to consider when choosing your carpet is getting the right carpet pad. The right pad supports your carpet, improves comfort, and increases longevity — while the wrong one can cause problems over time.
When investing in a new carpet or flooring solution, selecting a high-quality pad ensures your home maintains both comfort and value for years to come.

Pros of Using a Carpet Pad

• Makes the carpet feel better by absorbing constant pressure from foot traffic and providing long-lasting flooring
• Keeps your room quieter and warmer through sound absorption and thermal insulation, helping regulate the temperature inside your home.
• Prevents the carpet from matting down and looking worn — no more unattractive carpet!
• Keeps your carpet cleaner by allowing air space so the carpet can “breathe,” improving indoor air quality and overall flooring performance.

Cons of Using the Wrong Carpet Pad

• The wrong type of padding can cause wrinkling and buckling, reducing the comfort of your flooring.
• Using the wrong carpet pad can cause the carpet to separate from the backing or pull apart at the seams.
• A poor-quality pad breaks down faster and shortens your carpet’s lifespan, impacting the high-quality standards every homeowner expects.
• Using the wrong pad can even invalidate the carpet warranty and lower the overall return on your home improvement investment.

Carpet Padding Types and Their Benefits

Consult your SCV Floorsmith experts to help you find the right carpet pad for your home or business.
Pads for carpet are generally available in three main carpet padding types — foam, fiber, and rubber. Each type of carpet pad has multiple variations and constructions.
The right type and thickness depend on traffic levels, temperature stability, and carpet patterns. Bedrooms and other low-traffic areas often require a different pad than high-traffic spaces like living rooms or commercial flooring areas.

1. Foam Carpet Padding Types

According to the Carpet Cushion Council, foam pads come in three main carpet padding types:

• Prime Polyurethane Foam: A firmer pad created by combining two liquid ingredients to form a large foam mass, later sliced into cushion sheets for high-quality flooring
• Bonded Polyurethane Foam: Made from chopped and shredded foam pieces. Available in various sizes and colors, often with a net surface for easier installation and better performance. Bonded foam is considered one of the best recycling innovations in carpet padding, supporting sustainable flooring solutions.
• Froth Polyurethane Foam: Used mostly for commercial carpets, this type is made with carpet backing machinery and forms a thin, dense foam layer designed for durability in high-traffic business.

2. Fiber Carpet Cushion

Fiber cushions are made from both new and recycled materials. This carpet padding type uses fibers to form a firm yet comfortable surface that balances softness with durability.
In most Naperville carpet projects, foam padding is the preferred choice for residential and business flooring installations.

• Natural Fiber Cushion: Made from rope and burlap bags, this is one of the oldest carpet padding types, dating back to the early days of machine-made carpets.
• Synthetic Fiber Cushion: Includes materials like nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylics. These are needle-punched into dense cushions with a firm, supportive feel that contributes to high-quality flooring

3. Rubber Carpet Cushion

Rubber padding is another durable and resilient carpet pad type, available as waffled rubber cushions and flat sponge rubber.

• Waffled Rubber Cushion: Made from synthetic rubber and natural molding, heat-cured to form a soft, bouncy waffle pattern. It gives a luxurious underfoot feel ideal for residential spaces, maintaining temperature comfort and insulation.
• Flat Sponge Rubber Cushion: Commonly used in commercial spaces or under Berber carpets, offering a firm, dense pad with a smooth surface that suits heavy-duty business flooring

Naperville Carpet Special Note

Selecting the right carpet is a significant decision, and choosing the correct carpet pad plays a big part in it.
Make SCV Floorsmith your top choice for carpet pad stores in Naperville. Our experts will guide you through all carpet padding types and help you find the perfect combination for comfort, durability, and high-quality flooring performance — whether for your home or business.

Book your appointment today to get started and enjoy comfortable, temperature-stable, and long-lasting flooring solutions.