Carpet Pad - How important is 8lb? (floors, install, living room)

[sneezecake]

I hear that many builders use a 4lb standard rebond carpet pad. Some use a 6lb standard pad. I hear all the time people recommending to upgrade the pad, not the carpet, if money is tight. Is this an "across the board" suggestion that money is ALWAYS better spent upgrading the pad, or is this just a suggestion to get you to at least a 6lb pad, but the value in going from 6lb to 8lb amounts to less return on investment and is less necessary?

[Cosmic]

Beats me. Just did the carpets in the living room. Bought all the stuff from one supplier but didn't have them install it.

That subject did come up about the pad and which to use. The more expensive stuff was about the same as the cheaper stuff. This new padding ain't much to write home about. Actually I saved and reused the old felt padding where I could.

I would tend to think, put extra money into the carpet itself. The new padding is foam whatever. Paying more money just gets more foam whatever if that is possible.

[Ultrarunner]

Re-bond Carpet Pad is generally sold by weight which equates with density...

I generally go with a 6lb commercial grade pad because it is more durable and less prone to matting... Too much padding can cause problems with carpet stretch... which also is not a good thing.

Their are many types of pad available... a few of the types are rubber, jute, Horsehair (if it is still available) and re bond foam padding.

Padding can make a noticeable difference in sound transmission between floors too.

[tamcim72]

I don't know what lb. my pad is but i upgraded to a 3M pad that is "waterproof". Wow, what a difference from the standard. Stains are much easier to remove b/c they don't soak in. I have two year old light carpet (bedrooms only) w/ 2 young kids & dog and I've been able to keep it looking new. Suposedly the pad is for life. Would do it again definitely.

[sgresident]

we have been in our home for just over 20 years. The padding you choose does make a difference! When we bought our house, we didn't have enough money for the high end carpeting. we chose a mid-range carpeting and upgraded the pad through the entire house. It was the best decision we ever made. our carpeting is now showing some serious wear, but that happended in only the last 2 years. We have two boys and totally used our house, so it wasn't as if no one was walking on it either! I would definitely do the same thing again.