Marble floors are regarded as the epitome of elegance and luxury. The cold, hard reality is that they can be challenging and freezing. They are also expensive to replace if they are not cared for. Fine rugs complement marble flooring perfectly, and rug pads of the highest quality are essential. These high-quality rug pads protect your marble flooring from scratches and stains, prevent rugs from sliding on the marble’s super-slick surface and provide comfort and cushioning underfoot.
Rugs and runners up to 4ft by 6ft
Pads with a firm grip are needed for runners and smaller rugs. Look for rug pads made of natural rubber rather than glues or synthetic adhesives that can stain and damage floors and carpets. Natural rubber can be used alone or in combination with felt to adhere safely and naturally to feet and rugs. Heat-pressed felt is also long-lasting and, when combined with rubber, provides a variety of gripping power and cushioning.
Superlock Natural, made in the USA and containing over one pound of rubber per square yard, is the best grip pad for marble floors. It is recommended especially for runners and small rugs in high-traffic areas. The open waffle pattern allows air between the carpet and the floor. It also provides subtle cushioning. It’s thin enough for rugs to lay flat in entryways, hallways, and corridors. This also prevents tripping hazards (nobody wants to trip on a marble floor!)
Nature’s Grip offers another low-profile option for runners and small rugs that must be flush with marble flooring in areas of high traffic. This eco-friendly pad combines hand-woven organic fibers and natural rubber with jute to increase the stability of your rug, prolong its life, and protect your flooring.
Contour Lock is a great option to add cushioning under runners and smaller rugs on marble floors. This 1/8-inch thick heat-pressed rubber and felt pad provides moderate cushioning and a good grip without adding bulk. The slightly thicker, solid design helps to keep rugs and floors cleaner by preventing dirt accumulation and reaching the floors. It also protects marble flooring from scratches. Contour-Lock, made in the USA with 100% recycled felt and a primary rubber back, is mildew-resistant and more environmentally friendly than other rug pads. This pad is designed to outlast synthetic latex alternatives made from clay fillers.
Rugs larger than 4ft x6ft
Any pads designed for smaller rugs can pad medium and large rugs larger than 4×6. You may want to look at pads with a little more cushion, like Superior-Lock. These pads combine the best of Grip and cushion. They are made using a mild heat-pressing method for non-slip support with a thick layer of felt. Superior Lock pads have a thick felt layer and a non-slip natural rubber pad. The needle-punched surface of the felt pad adheres naturally to the rugs’ bottoms and anchors them to their surface. It also offers extra comfort and softness in two thicknesses: 1/4 inch and 7/16 inches. The rubber side grips the marble floor securely, preventing rugs from sliding, bunching, or buckling.
Even on marble, Grip is usually not an issue with larger rugs. They tend to be held in place due to their weight and by furniture. Cushioning is more important for larger rugs, especially on marble, because they are often placed in areas where comfort is a priority, such as living rooms and dining rooms. Eco Plush Pads provide a luxurious cushion for marble floors and are available in 3 thicknesses: 1/2″, 3/8″, or 1/4″. Eco-Plush Pads are made of 100% recycled, tightly woven, heat-pressed felt. They will cushion and protect marble floors for many years. They can also soundproof, insulate and improve the acoustics of rooms with marble floors. These eco-friendly pads are completely safe and non-toxic and will extend the life of your floors and rugs.
Cloud Comfort memory foam is the perfect cushion to place over marble floors or under large rugs without needing non-slip pads. It’s made of the same 100% viscoelastic, high-quality memory foam in premium mattresses. Cloud Comfort Memory Foam is best suited for rooms that require the highest level of comfort. This includes living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and dens. It’s made from natural minerals and soybean oil, not petro-oils, which results in a very low VOC. The proprietary moisture barrier blocks spills and allows vapor to escape. It provides the highest level of comfort, insulation, and sound absorption in a pad.