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Ideas & Advice > Rug Size Guide > Which Side of Rug Pad Goes Down: Installation Guide

Rug Size Guides

Which Side of Rug Pad Goes Down: An installation Guide

When purchasing a rug, you’ll typically see rug pads as a recommended addition. Rug pads are great additions to rugs because they often provide secure grip, extra cushioning, soundproofing, and improve the longevity of your rug. However, when you go to purchase a rug pad, it is important to choose a pad well suited to your rug’s material and properly place it to fully utilize the rug pad to its greatest potential.

Learn More About Rug Pads

  1. What’s the Purpose of a Rug Pad
  2. Which Rug Pad is Right For Your Floor
  3. Which Side of Rug Pad Goes Down
  4. Tips for Proper Placement

What’s the Purpose of a Rug Pad

Different types of rug pads serve different purposes. For example, felt rug pads are widely used for their extra cushioning and comfort while rubber rug pads are known for their secure grip. In general, rug pads fulfill numerous purposes with adding comfort, preventing the rug from sliding, and protecting the floor beneath it from scratches and general wear. As an added bonus, these pads can also help with soundproofing, since their presence will help absorb sound in the room.

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Queen Size Runner Rug

Which Rug Pad is Right For Your Floor

In order to choose the best rug pad for your room, it’s important to consider the room’s type of flooring, the size of your rug, and what material your rug is made of. This is also a great time to choose what you’d like to put priority on with your rug pad, since some offer more secure grip while others excel at cushioning. To help you make that decision, here are some of the most popular types of rug pads and their pros and cons. 

Rubber Rug Pad

Rubber rug pads are some of the most affordable, common options used throughout today’s homes. Thanks to their superior grip strength, they work well on hardwood floors, tile, and carpet. They also come in different levels of thickness to give you greater comfort/cushioning. In addition to that, they’re very versatile with where they can be placed. 

Felt Rug Pads

Felt rug pads are known for being incredibly plush and comfortable. Their texture and thickness makes them ideal for rooms where you want extra comfort, like a living room or bedroom. However, these pads do not have the same grip strength as other options, so they are not typically used with small area rugs. If the felt rug pad is placed beneath a larger, heavier rug or anchored with furniture, then you’ll be able to appreciate the rug pad for all of its positive attributes.

Which Rug Pad is Right For Your Floor (continued)

Combination Rug Pads

Combination rug pads feature both felt and rubber, which means that these rugs have the best of both worlds. The rubber matting is on the bottom side of the mat to provide a secure grip to the floor while the felt rests between the rug and rubber. These rugs pads are well-suited for vinyl, tile, and wood floors, and they are well suited for rugs of any size, natural jute rugs, or loop rugs.

Memory Foam Rug Pads

Memory foam rug pads are one step up from felt rug pads. These pads provide luxurious comfort as they give extra cushioning and relieve pressure to those who walk on it. Thanks to their natural contortion, these pads naturally conform to the shape of your rug to prevent any winkling or folding. We recommend using these rug pads on wooden, hard surfaces instead of carpet, since they do not have the grip strength to hold the rug on moving carpet fibers. Even with that recommendation, memory foam rug pads should also be anchored with furniture or with a heavy rug to prevent slipping. 

PVC Rug Pads

PVC rug pads are very similar to rubber rug pads with a netted design. Similarly, they’re known for their grip strength and resilience. They are also crafted to be waterproof and mold resistant, which is why these rug pads are often used in outdoor spaces. Like any other rug pad, PVC rug pads can be cut to size to fit your specific rug. With each of these rug pads, it’s important to know how to cut them to size, which is why we’ve created a full guide of how to cut rug pads to size.

Round rug for queen size bed
Queen Size Runner Rug

Which Side of Rug Pad Goes Down

When you place a rug pad in any room, it’s important to place it the correct way so that you have optimal grip and comfort. In general, you’ll find that rug pads have two sides: a textured side and a smooth side. The textured side is what should be down on the floor. That natural texture and roughness will help keep your rug in place and prevent it from sliding on wood floors, tiles, and carpeted surfaces. 

You’ll find that’s the case with the rug pads listed above. For example, felt rug pads have a naturally rough side and a smoother surface on the opposite. That rough side will face the floor while the smoother side will be facing upward. Similarly, rubber and foam rug pads each have a textured side and a smooth side. The textured surface will go on the floor and the smooth surface will face the rug. Finally, there are combination rug pads that have both felt and rubber. With these rug pads, you will have the rubber side against the floor and the softer, felt side against the rug.

Tips for Proper Placement

Combination Rug Pads

Combination rug pads feature both felt and rubber, which means that these rugs have the best of both worlds. The rubber matting is on the bottom side of the mat to provide a secure grip to the floor while the felt rests between the rug and rubber. These rugs pads are well-suited for vinyl, tile, and wood floors, and they are well suited for rugs of any size, natural jute rugs, or loop rugs.

Memory Foam Rug Pads

Memory foam rug pads are one step up from felt rug pads. These pads provide luxurious comfort as they give extra cushioning and relieve pressure to those who walk on it. Thanks to their natural contortion, these pads naturally conform to the shape of your rug to prevent any winkling or folding. We recommend using these rug pads on wooden, hard surfaces instead of carpet, since they do not have the grip strength to hold the rug on moving carpet fibers. Even with that recommendation, memory foam rug pads should also be anchored with furniture or with a heavy rug to prevent slipping. 

PVC Rug Pads

PVC rug pads are very similar to rubber rug pads with a netted design. Similarly, they’re known for their grip strength and resilience. They are also crafted to be waterproof and mold resistant, which is why these rug pads are often used in outdoor spaces. Like any other rug pad, PVC rug pads can be cut to size to fit your specific rug. With each of these rug pads, it’s important to know how to cut them to size, which is why we’ve created a full guide of how to cut rug pads to size.

Round rug for queen size bed

It’s wise to add a rug pad to any rug, since they provide extra comfort and grip. When choosing a rug pad for your home, it’s important to consider what type of rug pad will serve you best, how to cut it to the proper size, and how to place it beneath your rug. Now that you’ve read our guide on rug pads and how to place them, you can confidently outfit your home with the best rug pads.

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Protect against common mishaps, such as:
Accidental rips, tears
Accidental stains from food and beverage or human and pet bodily fluids
Delamination, loose threads and torn seams
Minor burn and heat marks (up to 1 inch)
Protection Plan also includes:
  • No deductibles or hidden fees
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See the full Terms and Conditions here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I purchase the Protection Plan?

It’s as easy as adding the Protection Plan - along with the product you want covered - to your cart and checking out!

What happens after I purchase the Protection Plan?

Once you purchase coverage, you will receive a welcome email, giving you access to your dedicated portal (where you will be able to view your coverage information and file a claim).

When does my plan coverage begin?

Accidental damage coverage begins day 1 of purchase, while defects in materials and workmanship are covered as soon as the 30-day return period expires.

How do I file a claim?

You can file a claim by going to getmulberry.com/login and by logging into your portal. Or you can simply contact the customer support team 24/7 via [email protected].

What happens after my claim is approved?

If damage is beyond repair, Mulberry will replace your product or will reimburse you for your product. If a repair is needed, Mulberry will coordinate technician cleaning or repair. Mulberry will repair your product up to its original retail price.

What if I return my product or want to cancel my Protection Plan?

You are able to cancel your Protection Plan by contacting Mulberry or by logging into your customer portal. Within the first 30 days of purchase, you will receive a full refund.

What if I exchange my product for another?

You can exchange your product for an identical product, without it affecting your warranty purchase. If you exchange your product for a different item, you will need to cancel your existing coverage and purchase a new plan, as coverage is tied to the specific product with which it was purchased.

What countries is coverage available in?

Currently, coverage is only available in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.

Are there any coverage exclusions?

The Protection Plan does not cover damage that occurs during product delivery, pet damage (other than bodily fluids), odor elimination, intentional abuse of the product, or theft or loss of the product.

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Yes. All protection plans are transferable in ownership.

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The Mulberry Protection Plan is a 1- and 5-year extended coverage program that protects against accidental damage to your rug.

Mulberry provides a quick, online claims process and does not require a receipt to file a claim.

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