XP--NPR: Hardwood Floor Question

Mrs.Palmison

So, DH and I are going to have a (nice) piece of carpet bound into an area rug for our great room. We have oak hardwood floors that are in really nice shape. 

My parents suggested I look into padding/protection to go under the rug to protect the floor. I asked about the kind of grippy/rubber material at our local hardware store, but the guy there said he did not think that would be sufficient. 

Thanks in advance for your input!

jen812

How big is the rug? Will there be furniture on it? Why didn't they think the padding would be enough?

Mrs.Palmison

Rug is going to be 9 x 12, and kind of go under the edges off furniture. and they thought padding would be fine--just not the thin grippy material.

jen812

I think you'll like the regular padding better. Softer underfoot.

ndolehan

I wouldn't go with the grippy under thing either - my mom had one when i was a kid and when she moved the rug it left a slightly discolored sticky spot.It might depend on what kind you get. There might be one they make specifically for wood floors.

Regular padding would work best, as "jen812" mentioned.

Mrs.Palmison

Thanks ladies! I was pleasantly surprised how reasonable a recycled felt pad from amazon would be. Like I said, even if it isn't super grippy...this is going under the edge of a sofa, loveseat and will have a coffee table on it. So it shouldn't be sliding around a ton.

Though it will have a Tinker-monster sailing across it some...

snoopy3319

We have a 5x7 in our living room on laminate. This flooring doesn't scratch from 3 large dogs running on it, but the rug has left some scratches around the edges. All we have is the gripper stuff underneath, and the problem is that dirt gets between the rug and gripper and floor and then grinds into the floor. I highly recommend a better padding solution under your carpet. Your floors will thank you later.

Mrs.Palmison

Thanks again ladies. I think I'm going to go with something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Rug-Pads-Less-Super-Premium/dp/B0024KNKSS 

The furniture company I am buying the carpet company quoted me $165 for their padding, so I am hoping this is the safe--but cheaper solution!