Have you ever wondered why you need a rug pad? When a homeowner purchases an area rug, they will sometimes purchase a rug pad along with it. For some, it’s an additional part of the investment. For others, it serves a specific purpose. Today we’ll discuss the 4 ways rug pads can protect the rug, the floor, and your family.
1. Rug pads protect the rug itself.
Many of the rugs we carry in our inventory will fall into one of three categories:
- Vintage
- Distressed
- Antique
Why does this matter? Many newer rugs, especially machine-made rugs, include a pad as a part of the rug’s construction. However, rugs that are older and hand-made don’t come with that protection built in. Because older rugs are substantial investments and need to be protected, you can provide that protection by using a rug pad. By placing a pad below the rug, you’ll help maximize the fabric’s durability and prolong its life.
2. Rug pads protect your flooring.
As an extension of that last point, older rugs have sometimes been heavily used throughout their life. While we take careful steps to restore it as close to its former beauty as we can, some of these rugs will naturally be thinner in areas due to wear and tear.
If your rug is thinner in some spots, it logically follows that the barrier between the floor and the leg of your favorite armchair is more delicate. Without a rug pad, furniture legs may wear straight through the rug and scuff your floor.
With a rug pad, there’s an extra barrier between your nice hardwood floor and the legs of your chairs, couches, and coffee tables.
3. Rug pads protect your family.
Are you wondering how a rug can protect your family? That one is easy: a rug pad prevents the rug from slipping around on hard floors, which decreases the risk of falling. A rug pad also helps to grip the rug, preventing the edges from rolling up to become a tripping hazard. This is especially important if someone in the home uses a cane, walker, or wheelchair.
4. Rug pads protect your comfort.
Handmade and hand-woven rugs are more luxurious and well-made than their mass-produced, machine-created counterparts. However, regardless of what type you buy for your home, using a rug pad helps to provide an additional layer of comfort for your family’s feet. As an added benefit, a rug pad can also muffle the sounds of your family members tiptoeing to the kitchen for a midnight snack.
At Rug Source, we carry both rugs and the rug pads to go along with it.
If you’re considering making your next rug purchase soon, be sure to include the rug pad as a part of your budget. This is especially true with older antique rugs, as well as some vintage and distressed rugs.
We will sometimes offer a rug pad as a part of a specific promotion and can help you with a custom fit pad as well. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us a message here!