Yes, you do. Honestly, this shouldn’t be seen as optional or something you can pick up later. At best, you could end up with a damaged floor; at worst, you could end up with a broken bone, and there’s plenty of potential problems to take into account. If you’re still unconvinced that hardwood floors demand rug pads, please read on.
Rug Pads Provide a Non-Slip Surface
With their timeless style and incredible durability, hardwood floors can make an excellent addition to any home. That said, one of their biggest drawbacks is that they are quite slippery. Place an area rug across them and you could find the floor zipping out from under your feet as you walk across it, even if part of the rug is held down by a heavy piece of furniture. Use a rug pad with non-slip backing to drastically reduce the risk of this occurring.
Rug Pads Protect Your Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are indeed pretty tough — you might be wondering how on earth a rug could do any damage. Well, just check out the underside of your rug and you’ll notice it’s quite scratchy. When you walk on your rug, that material will be pushed against the hardwood, potentially causing scratches. A rug pad provides a welcome protective barrier between the rug and the hardwood. A denser pad, such as one made from felt, will even resist the pressure exerted by heavy furniture, which can cause dents and divots.
Rug Pads Insulate Against Noise and Cold
Beyond slipperiness, one of the problems with hardwood floors is that they transmit sound very well, so every footfall can be quite noisy. Additionally, they aren’t particularly good at providing insulation, with cold air penetrating through the planks to make this issue even worse.
It might not sound like a serious issue, but chilly temperatures, upset neighbors, and higher heating bills can result. Instead of risking those problems, use a rug pad to create an insulating layer.
Find an Extensive Range of Rug Pads from Russell Martin Carpets and Rugs
Homeowners from across Naperville, Lisle, and Wheaton trust Russell Martin Carpet and Rugs to provide the best rug pads to meet their needs, and we’d love to do the same for you. From carpet and rug sales to repairs, cleaning, and more, you can count on our help. To find out more, don’t hesitate to contact us today.