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Frequently Asked Questions

CARPET CUSHION

Wholesale Floor Covering Distributors

Q. What is the best type of carpet cushion to use?

A. Every carpet job is different. You need to take into account the type of carpet being installed, the feel you are looking for, and what the carpet manufacturer recommeds. A residential cutpile would typically use at least a 6lb. A commercial grade carpet typically requires at least a 18 oz. synthetic fiber. Products with moisture barriers are always a good choce. They provide protection from spills that might be absorbed into the cushion, which can create mold or mildew from growning.

Q. What makes one bonded cushion (rebond) better then a competitors?

A. Many people think bonded cushion's are all the same and are shopped on price alone. There are a few things that differentiate one manufacturer's rebond from anothers. The first is the overall quality of the foam us In many cases the urethane that goes into the production of rebond are either a recycled foam (from pullup) or new or virgin urethane made from scraps of solid foam from various industries, including the furniture industry, and in many cases a combination of both.

Q. What type of carpet cushion should I use for a commercial grade carpet?

A. Commercial carpet usually requires the use of a pretty firm cushion. In many cases, many people use a synthetic fiber pad. It provides firmness and stability for many types of commercial grade carpet backs and makes commercial carpet more comforting to walk on. Installing a less firm product (i.e. rebond) typically will not provide enough support causing seams to split and improper wear on the carpet and in many cases voiding carpet warranty. Another option is to use a firm, relatively thin rubber cushion, and even in some cases a thin high density rebond. These type of products are used more for double glue down installation.

Q. With so many carpet cushion manufacturers out there what should I ask the salesman about their products to assure I am making the right choice?

A. There are many carpet cushion manufacturers out there. One thing to ask is to have specifications for the products they are showing you. Not just any specifications, one's exclusively from the manufacturer. If you are buying from a distributor make sure you receive manufacturers specs. Another important thing to ask, specifically related to rebond, is if the density rating on their product is true. For instance, most manufacturers make a sub 6 lb. density rebond in addition to a true 6 lb. This usually is a product that is a 5.5 lb., 5.2 lb. or even a 5.0 lb. rebond. Make sure you have the spec. on the product they are showing you to cover yourself in case there are any issues with the product after it is installed, plus you don't want to be mislead and purchase a product you didn't want. There is nothing wrong with using a sub or nominal 6 lb. product , but sometimes it's confusing when you are trying to compare "apples to apples" specifically when comparing pricing and quality from multiple manufacturers. Finally make sure the gauge or thickness is specified. There are some products out there that some people refer to as a "shaved " thickness. This means that a product is usually thinner than the specification indicates. For instance a "shaved 6 lb. 1/2" is equivalent to a 6 lb. 7/16". That could get you into trouble with your customer if you assume you are installing the true gauge that you requested.