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Rug pads help to protect your floors from scratches and wear, and can also help to prevent your rug from slipping. But with so many different rug pads on the market, how do you know which one is right for your floors?
In this blog post, we’ll share our top picks for the . We’ll also share a few tips on how to choose the for your needs.
What's the Primary Function of a Rug Pad?
A is a necessity if you want to keep your looking good for years to come. Not only do they protect your floors from scratches, they also keep your from slipping and sliding around.
Plus, they add an extra layer of , making your even more comfortable to walk on.
Can Rug Pads Ruin Hardwood Flooring?
Rug pads are great for preventing slipping and protecting your floors, but can they actually ruin floors? It depends. Some rug pads can contain chemicals that can damage .
Materials like polyester, , and plastics to name a few, can cause some issues.
If the is made of natural materials or and does not contain harmful chemicals, it should not damage your flooring.
If you’re worried about your floors, be sure to check the label on your before using it. Some rug pads are specifically designed for floors, and these are usually safe to use.
We’ve done the research for you and our picks listed below are made with natural materials that will not harm your .
The Best and Safest Rug Pads for Hardwood Floors
If you're looking for a rug pad that offers a strong grip, unbeatable floor protection and moderate cushioning without adding any extra bulk or height to your rug, then Contour-Lock is the perfect choice.
Thanks to its coarse felt upper layer, it will grab and hold the bottom of your rug in place to prevent any bunching or wrinkling.
- Materials: 100% recycled felt, natural rubber
- Origin: Made in USA
- Warranty: 10 years
- Flat woven area rugs known to bunch
- Natural material
- High quality rug pad
- Safe for wood flooring
- Custom cut sizes
- Multiple shaped cuts
- Made in USA
- 10 tear warranty
- Free shipping and returns
Super Grip Natural is the most popular way to keep your rugs from slipping on hardwood or tile floors. It's easy to install, and every step is softer with Super Grip Natural.
Super Grip Natural is made from a woven polyester scrim coated with a specially formulated natural rubber compound from real rubber trees. It's durable and strong, with a special “open weave” construction that offers greater surface area coverage but still allows enough airflow to make it breathable.
- Materials: Natural Rubber Coated Polyester Scrim
- Origin: USA
- Size Options: 18
- A thin rug that needs grip power. Not ideal for area rugs needing cushion support.
- Natural materials
- Safe for hardwood floors
- Extreme grip
- Easy trimming
- Increases air circulation
The 3/8" Comfort Cushion Rug Pad by Mohawk Home is the perfect balance of protection and comfort.
Made of blended felt fibers and latex free, this sustainable rug pad is built to last, with added cushion to give your rug a soft, comfortable feel.
- Material: Recycled blended felt fibers
- Origin: USA
- 14 Size options (can be easily trimmed for custom size)
- 3 Thickness options
- Heavier area rugs that may need cushioning. Not ideal for rugs that need grip power.
- Natural material
- Easy re-sizing
- Highly rated (Amazon's Choice Product)
- Green label certified
- Safe for wood flooring
This rug pad is made from tough, thick needle punch felt and has a 100% grippy natural rubber backing, making it the perfect choice for preventing your rug from moving or bunching.
Plus, its thick size means added padding for extra comfort.
- Material: Natural rubber and needle punched felt
- Origin: USA
- Warranty: 10 years
- Size Options: 13
- Thickness Options: 2
- Ideal for rugs known to move or bunch.
- Natural materials
- Highly rated by past customers
- Safe for hardwood floors
- Easy trimming
Superior-Lock's checkered natural rubber backing provides firm anchoring and a thick layer of cushioned support, preserving your rug's beauty and extending its life.
This rug pad will keep your area rug in place, preventing bunching, creeping, and curling at the corners. The dense felt core will help to soften the feel of the rug and protect your floor from damage. The grooved natural rubber backing will grip the floor and prevent the rug from moving.
This mat has a 12-ounce jet black natural rubber backing, reinforced with an additional 5 ounces/square yard of heat-pressed natural rubber face coat. This second coating reinforces non-skid properties and prevents premature flaking and deterioration.
- Materials: Recycled felt and natural rubber
- Origin: Made in USA
- Warranty: 15 years
- Thickness Options: 2
- Rug Shape Options: 6
- Thicker, heavier rugs that need ultimate grip and cushioning
- Natural material
- Extreme grip and cushioning
- Safe for hardwood flooring
- Soundproof
- Custom cuts
- Free shipping and returns
- 15 year warranty
This mat is made of recycled felt and will cushion and protect your floors. It will also help soundproof and insulate your home.
The Eco-Plush pad is made with dense, heat-pressed felt fibers that last longer and feel softer than other rug pads. Plus, they're free of the unpleasant odors associated with other, cheaper rug pads.
And because they contain no glues, bonding agents, or adhesives that can outgas and ruin floors, they're safe on all flooring.
- Material: 100% heat-pressed felt
- Rug Shape Options: 6
- Thickness Options: 3
- Origin: USA
- Warranty: 10 years
- Area rugs that are larger in size and don't require non-slip protection. Ideal if you're looking for extreme cushioning.
- Natural material
- Free shipping and returns
- Safe for hardwood flooring
- Custom cuts
- Soundproof
- Thick cushioning
- Highly rated
Rug Pad on Hardwood Flooring FAQs
Can Rubber-Backed Rug Pads Damage Hardwood Floors?
The wrong ones can. Such as .
are safe for just about any flooring. However, can cause issues.
Rug pads made of often undergo processing with chemical agents that can result in biochemical reactions with your flooring.
Two of these chemical agents used are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and latex. More on these below.
Will a Latex Rug Pad Damage Hardwood Floors?
The answer is: maybe. It really depends on the type of you have and how well it’s been maintained. It also depends on the type of latex.
If you have a high-quality with a good finish, then a latex should not damage it. However, if your floors are old or have a worn finish, then a latex could potentially damage them.
Additionally, if the latex is of a lower quality (synthetic), it can potentially damage floors. However, if the latex is of a higher quality (natural), it’s less likely to damage floors.
If you leave a under a rug for too long, the plasticizers in the synthetic latex coating can transfer to the wood’s finish and cause discoloration. Some imported rug pads have clay fillers mixed with the latex, which can dry out and leave flakes on the . This residue can then lead to further damage down the line.
Does Rug Tape Damage Wood Floors?
Again, the wrong kind can. There are rug tapes out there designed for floors. These might be less likely to ruin the flooring.
At the same time, there are many other types of rug tapes out there manufactured with chemicals that can damage the flooring.
Are PVC Rug Pads Safe for Hardwood Floors?
are often advertised as being safe for floors, but there is some debate on this topic.
Some experts say that PVC can damage floors, while others claim that it is safe to use.
The truth is, it really depends on the type of you have. If you have a softer type of , then may be too harsh and can damage the finish. However, if you have a harder type of , then should be fine.
What are the Best Rug Pads Made From?
There are a few different types of rug pads out there, each made from different materials. Some of the most popular includes , felt, and PVC.
Each type of has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
, for example, are great for providing extra grip and preventing slipping. However, they can also be quite heavy and difficult to move around.
, on the other hand, are much lighter and easier to move. They’re also great at absorbing shock and protecting your floors from scratches. However, they don’t provide as much grip as pads and may not be suitable for areas where your or furniture is likely to shift or slide.
