best rug pads for hardwood floors

nic5483

Hi!

I recently had dark engineered wood floors installed in my kitchen, dinning room and living room and am planning to use several area rugs. I've heard horror stories of folks area rugs ruining their hardwood floors, so I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on what type of padding to use. Is it true that the rubber backed ones can stick?

 Thanks! 

Mystery2B

The rubbery ones can stick from what I've heard. I have one from PB that is not rubbery at all and it's been fine on both tile and hardwood.

 

katharine25

the orange cheese cloth ones can stick and leave a faint orangish coloration.  I've never had an issue with the super thin cheesecloth ones, but they don't do much in terms of actually keeping the rug in place. The black thicker ones are the best.

nic5483

Thanks! Would you mind sending me a link to an example of what you mean by the "black thicker ones."

nic5483

Thank you! Which type do you have from PB? It looks like they currently have a few.

http://www.potterybarn.com/search/results.html?words=rug+pad&cm_sp=OnsiteSearch-_-GlobalNav-_-Button&type-ahead-viewset=ecom 

Mystery2B

I bought mine in like 2006/7, but it looks more like the premium PB rug pad, not at all like the regular one.

CrazeyJaneyR

Ballard makes a great rug pad.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/lowprofile-performance-rug-pad/rugs/rug-pads/195788?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=4 

rugpadman

There seems to be a misconception with rubber rug pads. The mesh looking ones that are found in many stores may look and feel like rubber, but the are actually some plastic version that has a sticky adhesive applied to it. This is what harms hardwood floors. Real rubber is safe and a pure felt rug pad is great, just remembering that felt does not stop the slipping, if this is what you need. If yes, then a natural rubber rug pad should be safe for your floor. There is a great one at Rug Pad Corner called Ultra Premium.