A rug looks finished the day you lay it down. A week later it has crept across the floor, one corner has curled, and someone has caught a toe on the edge. A rug pad fixes all of that, and it does more besides. Here is what a good pad does for you, and which of our pads does each job best.
1. It stops your rug from slipping, sliding and bunching
This is the reason most people buy a pad, and it is the one that matters most for safety. A bare rug on a hard floor moves every time someone walks across it, pulls out a chair or lets the dog run through. Over time it drifts, wrinkles and folds into ridges that are easy to trip on.
Every pad we sell has a rubber grip side that holds the floor, so the rug stays where you put it. That is especially important in hallways, entryways and anywhere children, older family members or pets are on the move.
2. It protects your floors from scratches and wear
Grit and sand work their way under every rug. Without a pad, each footstep grinds that grit between the rug backing and your floor, which slowly dulls and scratches the finish. A rough rug backing can do the same thing on its own.
A pad puts a soft layer between the two. It is one of the cheapest ways to protect an expensive hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile floor. Our pads have no adhesive or tacky backing, so there is nothing to bond to your floor's finish.
3. It makes your rug feel thicker and more comfortable
A thin rug on a hard floor feels exactly like what it is: a thin layer of fabric on a hard floor. Add a pad and the same rug feels plush and substantial underfoot. Our Premium pad is a quarter inch (0.25″) of dense recycled felt, and it is the one to choose if comfort is the goal, or if you want an inexpensive rug to feel like an expensive one.
4. It helps your rug last longer
When a rug sits straight on a hard floor, every step crushes its fibers against an unforgiving surface, and every slide rubs its backing. A pad absorbs much of that impact and stops the sliding, so the rug wears more slowly. If you have a rug you care about, such as a hand-knotted Oriental or Persian, a pad is the simplest way to protect it.
5. It keeps your rug flat
Curled corners and rippled edges are not just untidy, they are trip hazards. A pad gives the rug a stable base to lie on, which helps it settle flat and stay that way.
6. It makes the room quieter
Hard floors carry sound. A felt pad under the rug helps soften footsteps and the echo you get in rooms with a lot of hard surfaces, which is especially noticeable in apartments and upstairs rooms.
7. It makes vacuuming easier
A rug that stays put does not bunch up under the vacuum or chase it across the floor. You get a cleaner rug with less effort.
8. Outdoors, it lets your rug breathe
Outdoor rugs face a different problem: moisture. Our Deluxe™ pad has a breathable open weave that lets air circulate under the rug, naturally inhibits the growth of mold and mildew, and makes vacuuming easier. It is the pad we recommend for any outdoor rug, and it works indoors as well.
Which pad gives you which benefit
| Pad | Thickness | Best for | Floors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior | 0.160″ | The best all-round choice: grip, floor protection and comfortable cushion | Hardwood, laminate, vinyl/LVP, tile and stone |
| Premium | 0.25″ | Maximum cushion, and making a thin rug feel substantial | Hardwood, laminate, vinyl/LVP, tile and stone |
| All-Purpose™ | 0.10″ | A low profile for doorways, under furniture and thin rugs, and rugs on carpet | Hardwood, laminate, vinyl/LVP, tile and stone, carpet |
| Deluxe™ | Not listed | Outdoor rugs, with breathable airflow | Outdoor, plus hardwood, laminate, vinyl/LVP, tile and stone |
Not sure which one fits your rug and floor? Take our quick rug pad quiz and we will point you to the right pad. You can also shop by floor: hardwood, vinyl and LVP, laminate, tile and stone or carpet.
Getting the size right
Your rug pad should be about three inches smaller than your rug in each direction, so it sits an inch and a half in from every edge and stays hidden. We cut every pad to the size you order. Our rug pad size guide has a chart for every common rug size.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a rug pad?
If your rug sits on a hard floor, yes. Without one, the rug will slide, bunch and wear faster, and grit underneath will slowly wear your floor's finish. A pad solves all of that for a small fraction of what the rug or the floor cost.
Will a rug pad damage my floor?
A cheap pad with a sticky or adhesive backing can. Our pads have no adhesive or tacky backing, so there is nothing to bond to your floor's finish. They are made for hardwood, laminate, vinyl and LVP, and tile and stone.
How thick should my rug pad be?
For most rugs and floors, our Superior pad at 0.160″ is the right balance of grip and cushion. Choose the 0.25″ Premium pad if you want maximum comfort, or the 0.10″ All-Purpose pad where you need a low profile, such as near a door that has to swing over the rug.
Can I put a rug pad under a rug on carpet?
Yes. Use our All-Purpose pad upside down, with the fiber side facing down into the carpet and the rubber side up against the rug. It helps stop the rug creeping across the carpet.
Can I trim the pad myself?
Yes, though you should not need to, because we cut it to your size. If you do trim it, household scissors work on the All-Purpose, Superior and Deluxe pads. The Premium pad is thicker, so use a utility knife and a straight edge.
Ready to protect your rug and your floor? Choose your size of our Superior pad, the pad we recommend for most rugs and floors. Every pad is cut and packed within 48 hours. Questions? Call us at 1-833-RUG-PADS or email contact@rugpad.us.
