Things to Keep in Mind before Placing Rug Pads on Hardwood Floors

Rug pads are necessary items that act as cushioning agents for rugs as well protecting floors from damage. Before deciding to place a rug pad on a hardwood floor, it is necessary to keep some things in mind.

Types of Rug Pads
Hardwood floors are highly delicate and susceptible to marring, staining and wear and tear. Therefore, it is important that if a rug pad is to be used, it is one that will protect both the rug and the floor. Different types of pads offer different levels of protection to hardwood floors.
Felt rug pads
They are a suitable choice for larger rugs and are ideal for usage over hardwood floors. Not only are they durable and strong, they are also thick and therefore are able to offer good resistance from wear and tear for both the rug and the floor. They are also made from materials that are eco-friendly, reusable and odourless. This makes them compatible with different hardwood floors and finishing.
Flat rubber padding
They offer a good base which prevents slipping. In addition, rubber padding is excellent for preventing wear and tear by offering a good support for the rug. The natural rubber raw material is eco-friendly and can be used safely without any possible harm to a hardwood floor. Rubber padding is durable in nature. It is particularly useful with hardwood floors and finishes that are more prone to staining.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pads
These do not stain or discolour hardwood floors. They also offer good protection from scratches. PVC pads are particularly suitable for unfinished hardwood floors, but they are also a compatible choice for all other wooden floor types.

Other Things to Keep in Mind
Before placing a rug pad on a hardwood floor, it is important to ensure that the pad is of a good quality. If not the rug may not stay firm in its place, it may become worn and wrinkled, and the hardwood floor may begin to wear down at a fast pace.
Different floors are factory finished in different ways. A polyurethane finish is more common, but acrylic and vinyl finishing is also in trend. Certain types of rug pads, such as PVC and plastic rug pads do not generally react well to floor finishes other than polyurethane.
Another important thing is to ensure that there is sufficient time for the floor finishing to set before a rug pad is placed on it. If the finish isn’t cured properly, the polyurethane will react strongly with the padding and this will deface the floor.
In placing rug pads on hardwood floors, it is necessary to keep the above points in mind. An understanding of different rug pad types is important. It is also important to remember that rug pads are a good investment as they will help to prolong the durability of the carpet and will keep hardwood floors from quick wear and tear.