With all the stories about laminate flooring damage, one must be careful in using the proper carpet pad for the type of flooring involved. I keep hearing that flooring people advise the landlord not to use any rubber or PVC mats on their laminate flooring as this can cause a negative reaction to the flooring. Although this may not be the case in all cases, it is better to be safe than sorry.
A good quality jute carpet pad is completely safe for laminate floors, prolongs the life of the carpet and adds comfort. By good quality, I mean choosing one that is made from recycled material. There are many of these jute rug pads on the market that are based on polypropylene, which is another word for plastic.
It’s easy to choose the right pad for your laminate floors. First, make sure the item’s description indicates that it is made from recycled materials. This type of material is typically recycled wool and nylon carpet fibers compressed together to form the pad. Second, since there are several qualities, the best is called a 40-ounce weight. This refers to the amount of material per square meter compressed into the pad. The higher the weight, the longer the pad will last and the stronger the pad will be to protect the floor and carpet.
By purchasing a 40-ounce recycled jute mat and using it under your rugs on laminate flooring, you won’t have any damage to your floors. This quality should last about 15 years, even longer in less used rooms, with very little care. A simple vacuum cleaner every now and then doesn’t hurt and there’s not much else to worry about.
Your laminate floors are an investment, so be sure to protect them with the right mat. If you save a bit now with those non-slip waffle pads, you may pay a much higher price down the line to repair or replace your floors.