Here's How to Pick the Best Wool Rug Pad for Your Home

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How to choose the right wool rug pad for your home

It’s taken a lot of time, but your living room is just the way you want it. You’ve chosen every item and color in your palette to reflect who you are and what’s important to you.

When home décor matters to you, you’ll do anything to keep your carefully curated aesthetic looking fresh and new.

If you’ve fallen in love with a traditional rug, like a Kilim or Dhurrie, you have probably learned how easily flatweaves shift, bunch, and slide on hard surfaces.

Even large area rugs placed on laminate or hardwood floors are prone to bunching and curling. You need a solution that will make your new rug safe and comfortable.

The best way to keep your area rug in place and add comfortable cushioning underfoot is to use a rug pad underneath your area rug. A high-quality wool rug pad crafted from natural wool with a natural rubber backing, rug pads are the secret to taming any type of rug.

Let’s take a look at what a wool rug pad is, what you need to know before you purchase one, and the best wood rug pads to use in your home.

What's the difference between a wool carpet pad vs. wool rug pad?

As you begin your search for the perfect wool rug pad, you may see resources using the terms “wool carpet pad” and “wool rug pad” interchangeably. However, these two items are entirely different products that have different functions in your home.

Here is when you need a carpet pad and when you’ll want a wool felt rug pad.

Wool carpet pads

A carpet pad, or carpet padding, is a large cushioning placed underneath your wall-to-wall carpet. It’s typically made out of materials like foam, rubber, or felt to add comfortable cushioning underneath your carpeting.

Carpet pads are usually stapled to the subfloor to keep them in place and prevent shifting that can cause your carpet to ripple, buckle, and wear unevenly.

Not only that, carpet pads prevent your carpeting from rubbing up against the rough subfloor, which causes excessive wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas.

A carpet pad will absorb the shock of everyday foot traffic while making your carpeting more comfortable. It’s essential for the durability and comfort of your carpet.

Wool rug pads

On the other hand, rug pads are placed underneath area rugs to provide cushioning underfoot and a non-slip grip that keeps the rug in place.

They act as a barrier between your area rug and hard floors to prevent tripping hazards in all areas of your home, essentially high traffic areas like the mudroom, hallways, or entryways.

There are many benefits to having a wool rug pad beneath your favorite area rug.

  • Protection For Your Floors: The rough backing of your area rug can scratch even the most durable flooring. A wool and rubber rug pad will lock our rug in place and keep it from damaging your floors.
  • Security: A low-profile non-slip rug pad will hold even the most rebellious small rugs in place, preventing tripping hazards like curled edges.
  • Comfort: Some rug pads are cushioned to add comfort underfoot, which helps you to relax.

Protection for your rug: Adding a rug pad will extend the life of your rug by keeping it in place and protected from excessive wear and tear.

Whether you want to preserve small rugs, like doormats, or larger rugs in your living room, a wool rug pad will improve its performance.

Here’s what you need to know before buying the right wool rug pad for your area rug.

What to know before you buy a wool rug pad

Before you purchase a wool rug pad, it’s essential to know that not all rug pads are the right fit for your area rug.

Chap, synthetic rug pads, often made from materials like PVC, can react with your rug’s backing and the finish of your floor. This causes extensive damage that is expensive to repair.

PVC rug pads also break down over time, leaving behind stubborn residue and toxic chemicals that can harm people and pets in your home.

The best rug pads are made from durable, eco-friendly materials, like natural rubber, wool felt, and jute. Natural materials are superior because they are non-toxic and can handle a lot of foot traffic in your home. They also don’t break down like PVC, meaning your floors will be free from flaking and staining.

These are the best wool rug pads for your home

When choosing a rug pad for your new rug, you need to consider the needs of your space. Are you looking for a superior grip or luxurious cushioning?

Here is a breakdown of the general needs of different types of area rugs in your home.

  • Small Rugs And Runners: Strong Grip With A Low Profile
  • Medium-Sized Rugs: A Balance Of Cushioning And Non-Slip Grip
  • Large/Oversized Rugs:Thick Cushioning With Minimal Grip

Take a look at the best wool felt rug pads available for use in your home.

RugPro

RugPro rug pad on hardwood floor

This high-performance rug pad is made from 100% natural felt and rubber to offer strong gripping power with a low profile.

The felt upper layer is needle-punched to allow proper airflow between your area rug and floors. RugPro’s felt topper has a solid natural rubber layer that not only keeps your rug securely in place but prevents dirt, debris, and pet hair from building up between your rug pad and floor.

Superior-Lock

Superior Lock rug pad on hardwood floor

Combining deluxe cushioning with a unique waffled rubber backing, Superior-Lock anchors your rug in place. The rich felt topper hugs the back of your carpet and provides comfort and support for both you and your new rug.

This plush rug pad will extend the life of your rug by preventing the creeping, bunching, and curling corners that will make it look old before it’s time. It also offers soundproofing benefits and is odor-free, meaning you won’t have to air the rug pad out before placing it in your home.

This rug pad works well with any type of rug to provide improved grip and comfort. It comes with a 15-year warranty, which means the money you invest in both your area rug and rug pad will be protected and well spent.

Contour-Lock

Contour Lock rug pad on hardwood floor

If you’re concerned that a cushioned rug pad will add too much bulk to your area rug, choose Contour-Lock. This felt and rubber rug pad offers a high-level grip with a moderate level of cushioning.

The solid design will protect your flooring from being scratching caused by rug backings and shifting. It works well with flatweave rugs that need grip and cushioning.

Contour-Lock’s felt topper fastens itself to the bottom of your rug and is safe for all flooring types. It’s also moisture and mildew resistant, meaning it works well in humid climates.

With a ten-year warranty, Contour-Lock won’t break down over time and can be trusted to deliver the grip and comfort you crave beneath your area rug.

Other things you want to know

Whether you have an oriental rug, Persian rug, or high-quality wool rug, it’s essential to choose the right rug pad to extend the life of your area rug while keeping it rooted in place.

Felt and rubber rug pads are an excellent choice for people looking to add security and comfort to their new rug.

Here are some things you’ll want to know as you search for the perfect wool rug pad.

Will a wool rug scratch a hardwood floor?

While the topper of a wool rug is soft and beautiful, the rough backings will likely scratch your hardwood floors if not appropriately anchored in place.

Your wool rug needs a rug pad to prevent the shifting and bunching that leads to damaged floors.

What’s the difference between a rubber rug pad and a synthetic rug pad?

It may not seem like it, but not all rug pads are created equal. Here’s the difference between natural rubber rug pads and rug pads made from synthetic materials.

Rubber vs Synthetic Rug Pads

It’s clear to see that choosing a rug pad made from natural materials like rubber and felt is not only worth the extra money but is a safer choice to prevent damage to your home’s flooring.

How can I make my own wool rug pad?

If you’re looking to protect your area rug from wear and tear, making your rug pad is a great solution. Here’s how you can make your very own wool rug pad. You’ll need the felt rug pad material of your choice, scissors, a marker, and a measuring tape.

  1. Measure Your Rug: Using a measuring tape, secure your rug’s measurements. Be sure not to include decorative edging, like tassels.
  2. Mark And Trim Your Padding: Lay your rug on your padding and trace around it. Watch out, don’t get market on your new carpet!
  3. Find The Right Measurements: Measure one inch in from the rug perimeter to gauge the size of the rug pad you need.
  4. Trim: Using your scissors, trim carefully to size. Remember to go slow. You only get one cut!
  5. Install: Lay your new rug pad in the desired location and replace your area rug on top.

Once installed, you’ll instantly notice an upgrade to your rug’s cushioning and grip. Don’t forget to stand back and admire your handiwork!

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