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4 Best Rug Pad For Hardwood Floors (2022 Review)

best rug pad for hardwood floors

Having spent a lot of money installing your adorable looking hardwood floor, it definitely needs some protection. An area rug does the trick, but it isn’t complete without the best rug pad for hardwood floors acting as a barrier between your rug and your precious floor.

That’s not all, it also gives your rug a comfortable feel. If you want your rug to lay completely flat on hardwood floors with some excellent grip, then you definitely need a quality rug pad.

Best choice

If you’re in a hurry, here’s our best choice when it comes to the best rug pad for hardwood floors. Mohawk Home Dual Surface Rug Pad.

It’s the most popular and also has the best features. If you have a minute, you can check detailed review of this rug pad as well as other rug pads.

Rug pads have lots of advantages, such as keeping pets or people from slipping when running throughout the house. Vacuuming your rugs also gets more manageable, Its outstanding soundproofing feature is another big deal, looks like your neighbors will get even happier.

Things to Consider

With hundreds of rug pads out there, you could be tricked into believing they’re all the same, but that’s not true. There are a lot of inexpensive and inferior rug pads that could cause a lot of damage to your adorable hardwood floor.

These inferior rug pads contain adhesives and chemicals that could discolor, scratch and wear off the finish of your hardwood floor.

If you want a flat weave rug, Felt and Natural Rubber are major things to consider before settling for a rug pad, they are the safest and most popular options for hardwood floor. The felt surface clings to the button of the rug, thereby anchoring it while the rubber prevents sliding on the floor. Combo of felt and natural rubber provides impressive support, cushioning and a non-skid base.

You wouldn’t want to choose a rug pad that would cause damage to your hardwood floor, avoid rug pads requiring wood-damaging glues. Instead, go for rug pads that are protective and dense enough to handle furniture pressure without harming your hardwood floor. Average pad’s density is between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch in thickness, ensure to look out for these when shopping.

4 Best Rug Pad For Hardwood Floors

That said, we’ve got you covered with the best rug pads for hardwood floor guaranteed to protect your adorable looking floor and as well keep your rugs in place. To avoid being overwhelmed, out of hundreds of rug pads out there, we’ve selected just four best rug pads for hardwood floor for you to choose from.

1. Mohawk Home Dual Surface Rug Pad

This rug pad is 1/4  inch thick, which falls under the recommended density. Customers rave about how the thickness have helped the rug lay flat completely. It’s felt construction makes your rug feel more comfortable, unlike other cheap foam rug pads.

This rug pad has a dual surface, the fiber side referred to as felt, which grips the rug and the rubber side which safely adhere to floors. It doesn’t require any harmful material such as glue on your hardwood floor.

The best part, they are certified Green Label Plus, which means it’s an eco-friendly rug pad. It also comes in 18 sizes, giving you a lot of options to choose from based on the size of your rug.

Pros
  • Thick felt
  • Noon-slip rubber backing
  • Eco-friendly
  • Water proof and sound proof
Cons
  • customers complained about packaging


2. RUGPADUSA Memory Foam Rug Pad

This rug pad has a 1/2 inch thick memory foam making it one of the densest foam you’ll ever find in the market.

Its thickness slightly elevates the area rug making it feel more comfortable. This rug pad is waterproof, and its thick construction also provides soundproofing.

This feature has made it customer’s favorite and one of the best rug pad for hardwood floors out there.

Pros
  • Pure cushion
  • Water resistant
  • Stays plush
Cons
  • trimming may be difficult, leaving uneven edges


3. Gorilla Grip Felt And Rubber Rug Pad

This is yet another excellent rug pad designed for hardwood floors. It’s made from felt and natural rubber, it’s also extra thick making it cushioning and comfortable underfoot. The is one of the most affordable high-quality rug pad you’ll find out there. It’s also eco-friendly and doesn’t have any harmful chemical.

It is designed in a way that it’s easy to trim to whichever size of your rug.

Pros
  • Thick and durable cushion
  • Easily trimmed
  • Provides Soundproofing
Cons
  • Sometimes not true to size


4. Gorilla Grip Original Area Rug Gripper Pad

Another great and affordable rug pad for hardwood floors, cheaper than its counterparts. It’s flat and non-adhesive, thereby keeping your hardwood floor safe from damage. This pad also keep pets from slipping on rugs, it also comes in 22 sizes, giving you a whole lot of options to choose from.

Pros
  • Prevents rugs from shifting
  • Easily trimmed
  • Does not leave residue
Cons
  • May need to be realigned every couple of days


Do I need a rug pad on hardwood floors?

Yes, you definitely do. If you think you don’t need a pad underneath your area rug, then you’re making a very expensive mistake, and if you feel you do need one, then we assume you care so much about your flooring.

A rug pad provides cushioning, and it’s the best way to avoid scratches, discoloration and wearing your floor finish down.

Why you need a rug pad underneath your area rug

  1. It prevents scratches on the hardwood from your area rug
  2. Prolongs hardwood floor finish
  3. Prevents the rug from sliding
  4. Reduces transmission of sound
  5. Provides extra cushioning and comfort
  6. Reduces sound transmission
  7. It makes rug last longer 

Can cheap rug pads ruin hardwood flooring?

Yes, it can and here are the reasons. These pads are coated with toxic chemicals such as PVCs, these chemicals tend to stick to themselves or to the floor, thereby causing crease and bunches. It also oozes off gas into the air, and they often wear down the finish of the floor. This is why you need the best rug pad for hardwood floors.

If you’ve noticed thin pads stick to the floor when you remove your area rug, those pads are the cheap pads you should avoided. Pads like this don’t last, they wear out quickly, they don’t provide cushioning yet they damage your hardwood floor. You should avoid them.

How To Clean An Area Rug On Hardwood Floor

While area rugs can make your room look cozier, the rug pads beneath it will definitely make it more comfortable. That said, cleaning area rug on hardwood floors is quite easy, and we’ve laid down steps on how to achieve this.

To mention a few methods, you could Vacuum the area rug or steam clean it, check out more information on how to clean area rug on hardwood floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this rug pad leave marks on hardwood?

No it won’t, it doesn’t leave any mark, residue, mold or mildew on your hardwood floor.

Are rubber backed pad safe for hardwood floors?

Yes they are, the rubber backing doesn’t discolor or damage your hardwood floor.

Is this rug pad waterproof?

Yes, it is waterproof. It you mistakenly spill liquid on the pad, it won’t make its way to your wooden floor.

Can the rug pad be cut to fit?

Yes you can cut the rug pad with a regular scissors or sharp utility knife.

Is the pad 100% natural rubber?

No it’s not, it’s made from woven recycled material. The backing is synthetic rubber

Conclusion

We’ve listed four best rugs pads for hardwood floors, now is your turn to choose the one that best suits you.

Now you know rug pads do a great job when it comes to durability, safety and comfort. Choosing the right one makes it even better, with just four best rug pads listed, you don’t need to get overwhelmed picking one.

Keep in mind that choosing the best rug pads will eventually save you a lot of money in the long run.

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