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Carpet Cushion (Padding) Basics
OVERVIEW
There is a great deal of technical information related to carpet padding, it's many types, applications, limitations, etc. For the purposes of this article we will deal only with the aspects of interest to the real estate investor. The primary reason for the use of pad under carpet is to extend the usable life of the fiber. Pad density rather than thickness is required to accomplish this goal. Density prevents fatigue damage to the carpet construction caused by regular traffic. This is best achieved with better quality, higher density, lesser thickness products. Pad also reduces noise and provides some degree of thermal insulation.
There are many types of carpet pad available, each having it's own particular application. Since price is most often the principal consideration for
the RE investor there are really only two products specified, Foam padding and rebond. FOAM PADDING, AKA prime, is made from urethane foam which basically is plastic which has been expanded with heat and pressure.
Regardless of the thickness, foam pad is inferior to any other kind of pad. As it does not effectively support the carpet – leading to the breakdown of the backing and ultimate (premature) carpet failure. Although
foam is the least expensive pad it is also the cheapest in quality and performance and is therefore not recommended for any application. REBOND PAD, is made up from varying densities of foam scraps which have been
bonded together. The minimum quality (builder grade) is a 4 pound density 3/8 inch thick product. The overall best rebond for residential uses is the 6 pound 7/16 inch thick rebond. The middle range and most
frequently used pad product is the 4 pound ½ inch density. The thickness of the pad is irrelevant since the quality determinant is density. Thicker pad is usually sold as an upgrade under the idea that "bigger is
better" but in the absence of greater density, thicker pad has zero upgrade value.
APPLICATIONS:
Among RE investors, there are many opinions as to which pad is better for which use. As a rule of thumb remember that better quality pad only enhances better quality carpet. Better pad does little to enhance the performance or life of base grade carpet in the typical rental environment. Better pad will enhance the feel underfoot but the upgrade is usually not in keeping with the average RE investor's price sensitivity. The principal qualifier here is the transient nature of the rental business. If the property is a long term keeper one may consider upgrading to the 6 pound pad, particularly if the lease incorporates a "no pets" clause. Outside of 25 years of wear, pet urine damage is about the only thing that ruins pad. Otherwise the best choice for the builder grade carpet is the 4 pound ½ inch density rebond. As a cost saving measure for the rehabber, be sure to always look at the condition of the existing pad. If a good quality rebond pad is under the old carpet, it may be reusable with minor exceptions. If the pad is a solid color (usually pink or yellow) it is probably the prime foam and always needs to be replaced. Urine stained pad will always need to be replaced as there exists no complete or permanent urine odor abatement method. There may be an opportunity to reduce cost by replacing the damaged areas only such as the heavy traffic areas ( stairs & hallways ) and other flattened areas.
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