Buying Guides: Carpet Padding

Carpet Padding: Extend the life of your carpet with a comfortable pad

Installing quality carpet padding under your new carpet will help it last longer, feel softer, reduce noise and provide insulation.

While the cushiony comfort of your carpet may feel like the most important reason for choosing particular padding, keep in mind that specific pads are designed to help extend the life of certain types of carpet. The right pad absorbs the impact burden, relieving stress on carpet backing and fibers.

The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that the cushion conform to carpet manufacturer recommendations for the specific product being installed. The Carpet Cushion Council recommends a maximum thickness of 1/2" for cut pile residential carpet padding. The cushion under low-pile carpet, such as Berber or commercial carpet, should be 3/8" or less. Quality is a function of durability and comfort. ScotchGuard Foam is our thickest and one of our most luxurious cushions.

The Home Depot is the exclusive carrier of a variety of carpet cushions or pads including a new pad made of unused Nike shoe scrap for use with all types of carpet.

21 lb density
7/16" thickness
Synthetic rubber provides extraordinary durability and superior comfort
Comes with a manufacturer's life-of-the home
stair warranty

Recommended for radiant-heated flooring

Includes moisture barrier

The Home Depot is the exclusive carrier of this Scotchgard pad. Features include:

1/2” thickness
Durable foam makes your carpet better and last longer
Insulating quality to help slow energy loss
Includes moisture barrier
Anti-microbial protection inhibits mold, mildew and bacteria

8 lb density

7/16" thickness
Comfortable cushioning
Provides consistent softness underfoot

Breathable moisture barrier and antimicrobial protection

Teflon® surface protector keeps spills on the pad’s surface for easier clean up

Learn more about Teflon® surface protector

Step Ahead Carpet Cushion, with Nike Grind

This brand-new, environmentally friendly carpet pad is exclusive to The Home Depot. Features include:

8 lb density
7/16" thickness
Made with salvaged high-performance Nike athletic soft shoe scrap material
Environmentally friendly 90% recycled content
Includes moisture barrier
Your purchase helps keep millions of pounds of scrap out of landfills

As part of a company-wide recycling effort called Nike Grind, Nike takes top quality, unused shoe scrap and sends it to Future Foam, which converts the scrap into the premium Step Ahead 8 lb. carpet cushion. Enjoy the cushiony comfort of Nike even when you’re barefoot.

Learn More