Often, the most important things are those that you cannot see. Solid foundations, insulation, and the best heating and electrical systems are all critical for your home. They not only offer security and comfort but also protect your investment.
Quality is important. The same goes for floors, rugs, and what lies between.
Rug mats are needed for all area rugs regardless of their type, size, thickness, or other characteristics. They protect the carpets and the floor they rest on.
Your floors deserve protection, whether it’s a kitchen mat by the sink, an area rug in your living room, or a runner at the entrance (or in any other area with high traffic). And your feet deserve a cushion.
A rug mat or rug padding will do just that.
What do rug mats look like
Rug & Floor Protection
Non-Slip Grip
Additional Cushion
Facilitate Airflow
The right rug pad or mat will protect your floors against scratches, spills, and stains.
Rug mats protect your rug against furniture indentations and tears. Your furniture will float on your carpet instead of slamming into the floor. This protects your rug and keeps it looking great.
Rug mats act as a cushion between the rug’s surface and any hard surfaces, thus reducing wear and tear.
Rug mats, especially non-slip ones, can also be used to stabilize rugs and make vacuuming easier. Rug mats, even those with only cushioning and no non-slip surface, increase the airflow around your rug so that it stays cleaner. A cleaner rug will be more valuable, as dirt is the number one cause of rug degradation. Keep your rug clean, and you may be able to pass it down for generations. The rug mat you choose is essential to extending the life of your carpet.
Rug mats can also provide a layer of sound insulation. This is especially important for apartments and homes with multiple floors. They can add an extra layer of heat insulation to older homes that are prone to drafts. Some mats will help to keep floors and rugs dry in humid climates.
Rug mats and pads offer both stability to keep your rug in position, as well as cushioning for a more pleasant feel underfoot. Rug mats can be designed to provide grip or cushion. Many offer both. How much grip and cushioning you need in a rug pad will depend in part on the size of your carpet.
What to look for when choosing a rug mat
Larger rugs, on the other hand, are less likely to require grip, as they are usually placed in areas where there is more cushioning underfoot, such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Consider the type and thickness of your rug. While larger rugs can be anchored to furniture or their own weight and therefore don’t require rug mats with grip, smaller rugs or even large rugs tend to buckle and wrinkle. You may want pads that offer both grip and cushion.