Any time you sit down on a sofa or chair that s right atop hardwood floors the piece will shift ever so slightly and the legs will mark the floor.
Do you put a pad under hardwood floors.
Placing a pad under a rug not only prevents the rug from slipping on your hardwood floor it also makes the rug more comfortable for walking.
Unlike padding under a carpet this type of underlayment padding is too thin for you to feel when you walk across a laminate floor.
In conclusion pvc pads are not recommended for use over hardwood floors.
When it s done over and over again the marks will get worse and worse.
Felt rubber hybrid pad this is the premium rug pad offering the best of both worlds.
Not just any pad will do though.
Soft padded foam of the type that is regularly installed under laminate flooring is one layer installed between the subflooring and solid hardwood flooring.
Your first task is preparing the surface that the hardwood will lie on which means deciding whether you need to use felt paper under the hardwood.
You are getting the benefit of the cushioned protection of the felt with the gripping attributes of the rubber.
We put proper padding under floating floors not under nailed or stapled down floors which is how solid hardwood gets installed.
Padding and layers under hardwood flooring.
If sound mitigation is a concern.
Hardwood floors do not require underlayment padding but they may squeak and creak if you place the surface boards directly against the underlayment.
While manufacturers have made hardwood floors easy to install you do need to take a few steps to prepare the room to make installation easier.
Carpet padding does not provide enough support for hardwood floors and is often too thick for nail installation.
Why you need padding underneath an area rug.
And the area rug provides cushioning for the carpet so that it too will last longer.
If you plan to nail or staple your hardwood floor in place virtually any underlayment can be used.
If you don t have an area rug pad you are likely to damage your hardwood floors underneath by scratches discoloration and or wearing the finish down.
Engineered wood flooring however offers far more options for the addition of the padding style underlayment.
The only real alternate to the black felt is a red rosin paper which has some moisture barrier benefits.
Note that the underlayment you purchase should be specifically marked for use with hardwood floors not for carpets.
If you want scratches and marks on your beautiful hardwood floors don t use furniture pads.
Scott you re dead right.
An area rug is a great way to add a little warmth under foot atop a cool hardwood floor.