There are plenty of advantages rug pads provide, such as making your carpets feel cushier and preventing slips. But have you considered the best rug pads for hardwood floors? These rug pads not only add comfort when you walk, but they also protect your hardwood floors from scratches caused by the underside of your rug.
But not all rug pads are the same. There are many aspects to consider before selecting the pad you want to put under your rugs, such as thickness, durability, and material. Today we will review the best rug pads for hardwood floors. Before you pick one, take a look at the buyer’s guide below, which will give you an overview of features to consider when shopping for your rug pad.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Ninja Brand Gripper Rug Pad
- Best Quality: Gorilla Grip Original Felt and Rubber Pad
- Best Under Furniture: RUGPADUSA Rug Pad
- Best for Stairs: Enjoy Holiday Non-Slip Rug Pad
- Best for Easy Maintenance: Puroma Non-Slip Area Rug Pad
Hardwood Floor Rug Pad Buying Advice
Best Overall: Ninja Brand Gripper Rug Pad
Key Features:
- Size: Between 2×3 ft. and 9×12 ft.
- Material and color: White Original Rug Pad
- Warranty: 10 years
- Suitable for: Laminate, hardwood, and tiled floors
Pros:
- High quality
- Easy to maintain
- Provides a non-slip surface
- Prolongs the lifespan of your floors and rugs
Cons:
- No extra padding
- Releases a chemical smell
Product Overview
The Ninja Brand Gripper rug pad is a durable product with an open-weave design to help it stay in place. It’s a non-adhesive product that’s lightweight and easy to place down. It comes in 14 sizes ideal for small and large rugs and it protects hardwood and laminate flooring. This pad helps keep your rugs flat and prevents wrinkles from forming.
What Reviewers Say
There are a mixture of negative and positive reviews from consumers. Some customers say that the Ninja Brand Gripper rug pad has no cushioning and that it gives off a strong chemical smell. On the other hand, other customers say this padding is extremely durable and easy to adjust. Although the rug pad is easy to move around, it does have a non-slip design to prevent you from falling.
Features and Considerations
Before you buy your Ninja Brand Gripper rug pad consider the size you need. If you buy a larger one you can cut it to various lengths and width to place under smaller area rugs around your home. The most important feature is that it’s non-abrasive so it won’t scratch the finish of your hardwood floors.
Best Quality: Gorilla Grip Original Felt and Rubber Pad
Key Features:
- Size: Between 2×3 ft. and 8×10 ft.
- Material and color: Gray felt and rubber material
- Warranty: 10 years
- Suitable for: Hardwood, tiles, laminate, and natural stone
Pros:
- Incredibly durable
- Adds non-slip grip
- Protects your hardwood floors
- Easy to customize
Cons:
- Rubber leaves a residue on floors
- Poor packaging
Product Overview
The Gorilla Grip Original felt and rubber rug pad is a versatile product that can be easily customized. Cut it into any shape or size you want for smaller area rugs around the home. It’s made with a soft felt material that’s non-abrasive to protect the finish on your hardwood floors.
What Reviewers Say
There are some customers who say the rubber material leaves a residue on their floors, which isn’t ideal if you have hardwood flooring. Other customers claimed that the rubber was stuck to itself when they received their deliveries.
However, other customers love how the Gorilla Grip rug pad doesn’t budge, even during vacuuming or in high-traffic areas.
Features and Considerations
If you buy a Gorilla rug pad that’s too big, you can easily trim the sides so that it fits perfectly under your rugs. There are many colors available for a low-profile aesthetic. You can also pick between ¼ inch and ⅛ inch thicknesses for added cushioning. The Gorilla Grip rug pad is made with hypoallergenic materials that are also mold resistant.
Best Under Furniture: RUGPADUSA Rug Pad
Key Features:
- Size: 4×6 ft. to 8×11 ft.
- Material and color: Gray 100% recycled felt
- Warranty: 20 years
- Suitable for: For hardwood floors, tiles, laminate, and stone floors
Pros:
- Soundproofing
- Has extra cushioning
- Multiple sizes available
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Not a non-slip product
- Unreliable product sizing
Product Overview
The RUGPADUSA product is made with recycled materials so it’s eco-friendly. It doesn’t release chemicals and it’s hypoallergenic. There’s no adhesive on the bottom of the pad, so it won’t damage your floor. The non-abrasive padding won’t scratch or damage your hardwood flooring, thanks to its soft cushion fabric.
What Reviewers Say
There have been some complaints about RUGPADUSA products being the incorrect size. Some customers also say that pictures are deceiving, and that the RUGPADUSA pads aren’t as thick as they look. On the other hand, other customers have said that the padding makes their cheap acrylic carpets feel like soft wool because of the cushioning it adds.
Features and Considerations
Make sure you purchase the correct size padding for your hardwood floors. If the size is too big, you can easily trim the sides so that it doesn’t stick out from under your rug. RUGPADUSA is designed not to stain or tarnish your hardwood floors. You’ll also appreciate that it prevents moisture build-up and it’s a hypoallergenic product.
Best for Stairs: Enjoy Holiday Non-Slip Rug Pad
Key Features:
- Size: 2×3 ft. to 10×14 ft.
- Material and color: Gray felt with rubber underlay
- Warranty: Not specified
- Suitable for: Hardwood, hallways, stairs
Pros:
- Durable rug pad
- Adds extra cushioning
- Affordable
- Easily customizable
Cons:
- Poor packaging
- Doesn’t come in one piece
Product Overview
The Enjoy Holiday rug pad is suitable for people who live in apartments on the top floor because it soundproofs hardwood floors. What’s more, it’s a non-slip product, making it suitable for entryways and stairs. The unique mesh design promotes airflow and prevents moisture build-up under your carpets. Your floors won’t get scratched by this product because the rubber is soft and non-abrasive.
What Reviewers Say
Enjoy Holiday’s rug pad has plenty of positive reviews from customers. People love how well it sticks to floors, creating non-slip rugs that are safe to walk on. It also adds a layer of cushioning to your rugs so they’re softer to walk on. The only drawback seems to be poor packaging.
Features and Considerations
The rubber under the rug pad is made from high-quality PVC that won’t wear so it’s suitable for high-traffic areas. You can easily customize the size and shape of the rug pad so you can add it under any type of rug. The Enjoy Holiday rug pad is free from dyes so it won’t stain your hardwood floors.
Best for Easy Maintenance: Puroma Non-Slip Area Rug Pad
Key Features:
- Size: 2×3 ft. to 8×10 ft.
- Material and color: White polyvinyl chloride
- Warranty: Not specified
- Suitable for: Kitchen rugs, hardwood floors, tiles, and laminate flooring
Pros:
- Non-adhesive
- Cost-effective
- Low profile
- Easy to customize
Cons:
- May tear in high traffic areas
- Too thin
Only sold at Amazon
Product Overview
The Puroma area rug pad is specifically designed to add a non-slip underlay to your area rugs. This pad protects your floors from getting scratched. It’s a thin polyvinyl product that doesn’t add extra cushioning to your carpets.
What Reviewers Say
There are people that said the rubber padding fails to resist slipping, even though it states that it is a non-slip product. It’s also incredibly thin and may tear easily when you try to trim it. However, it works well to protect hardwood floors, and it prevents moisture build-up thanks to its mesh design.
Features and Considerations
Even though the product packaging the Puroma rug padding is durable, it can still break when you’re trying to customize the shape of it. This is an affordable, lightweight rug pad that doesn’t doesn’t allow your rugs to wrinkle up.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Size | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
Ninja Brand Gripper Rug Pad View on Amazon –> View on Gorilla Grip –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.8 | 2×3 ft. and 9×12 ft. | 10 years |
Gorilla Grip Original Felt and Rubber Pad View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Quality Overall: 4.7 | 2×3 ft. and 8×10 ft. | 10 years |
 RUGPADUSA Rug Pad View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Under Furniture Overall: 4.8 | 4×6 ft. to 8×11 ft. | 20 years |
Enjoy Holiday Non-Slip Rug Pad View on Amazon –> View on At Home –> | Best for Stairs Overall: 4.6 | 2×3 ft. to 10×14 ft. | N/A |
Puroma Non-Slip Area Rug Pad View on Amazon –> Only sold at Amazon | Best for Easy Maintenance Overall: 4.7 | 2×3 ft. to 8×10 ft. | N/A |
The Complete Hardwood Floor Rug Pad Buyer’s Guide
Did you find a rug pad for your hardwood floors in my review section that might work for you? If you’re still not sure which product to pick, then perhaps the following buyer’s guide will help you with key features to consider when shopping for a rug pad. In this section, I’ll be talking about the importance of a rug pad for hardwood floors as well as sizing, materials, and thicknesses.
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The Purpose of A Rug Pad
A durable rug pad is designed to protect both your rugs and your floors. Padding prevents the fibers of your rug from being crushed over time, and it protects your hardwood floors from getting scratched by the underlayment of your rugs.
There are other advantages of a rug pad, including:
- Adds soundproofing to wooden floors
- Creates a non-slip area rug for safety and easy cleaning
- Adds extra cushioning to your carpets for added comfort
- Prolongs the life of your area rugs
Lastly, a rug pad can prevent discoloration on your hardwood floors caused by dyes in the carpet fibers. If you want to keep your hardwood floors looking good as new for years to come, then buying quality rug pads for your area rugs will help.
What To Avoid
Unfortunately there are rug pads on the market that you should avoid. Avoid buying rug pads that come in various colors because they can stain your floors. You should also avoid adhesive products because the glue can damage your floor’s finish.
Rug Pad Size
Rug pads come in various sizes, typically ranging between 2×3 ft to 8×10 ft. Some brands have sizing charts where you can pick the size you need for your area rugs. Additionally, some homeowners buy large rug pads and then cut them into various sizes if they have more than one area rug.
Another aspect to remember is that your pad should be two inches shorter than your rug on all sides so that it doesn’t stick out. Most rug pads are easy to trim so you can customize the size of them easily.
What Materials It’s Made From
Felt and rubber rug pads are ideal for hardwood floors. The felt provides extra cushioning so it’s comfortable to walk on your hardwood floors and the plastic underlay adds a non-slip grip.
You can buy thin PVC rug pads that are more affordable, but they don’t add extra cushioning. You can also opt for polyester and vinyl floor pads, but they’re best for larger carpets.
What About Rug Pad Thickness?
Select the thickness of your rug pad according to your preference. If you want to add extra cushioning to your carpets, then you’ll want a thicker padding that’s at least half an inch thick.
Thinner pads don’t offer the range of protection you may want for your hardwood floors. However, they may work well on other types of flooring such as tile to add a non-slip grip to your area rugs.
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FAQs About Rug Pads
Rug pads made from natural rubber are the safest to use on hardwood floors. Natural rubber is chemical-free, so it won’t damage the finish of your hardwood floors. Furthermore, natural rubber sticks to your floors so that your rugs won’t slide around.
Since the rubber transforms your rugs into non-slip carpets, they become safer to walk on and easier to vacuum because they won’t move around.
Do I Need A Rug Pad On Hardwood Floors?
Yes, you will need a durable and non-abrasive pad under your rug if you want to protect your hardwood floors from scratches and stains. A rug pad will help you save thousands of dollars on hardwood floor damage simply by creating a barrier between your rug and your flooring.
Are Rubber-Backed Rugs Safe For Hardwood Floors?
Rubber-backed rugs can damage your hardwood flooring because of the chemicals inside the material. These chemicals can leave permanent marks on your floors and potentially cause discoloration.
That’s why rug padding is so important– because it will protect your floors from the chemicals and the abrasive backing on rugs. If your padding is also made from rubber, make sure you pick a natural product free from chemicals and dyes to prevent it from damaging your wooden floors.
What Do You Put Under Rugs On Hardwood Floors?
The best product to put under your rugs is a non-abrasive and non-skid padding that won’t damage your hardwood floors. You should place padding under area rugs where there’s high foot traffic and be sure to pick padding with extra cushioning for added protection.
Do Area Rugs Ruin Hardwood Floors?
Yes, some area rugs that have rough backing can definitely damage your hardwood floors by scratching them. If you buy an area rug and you notice that it has a seedy or abrasive backing, then you may have to spend extra money on padding.
It’s advised that you don’t place area rugs on your hardwood floors unless you have a strong, thick padding to place underneath them. With rug pads, you can add aesthetically-pleasing area rugs to your rooms, without worrying about them damaging the finish of the floors.
Final Thoughts
It will cost you a lot of money to repair hardwood floors once they are damaged. That’s why it’s important to buy thick padding to place under your rugs: in case the rugs have a toxic or abrasive backing that will destroy your hardwoods.
Fortunately, rug pads are extremely affordable, and if you pick one that’s durable, you won’t have to replace it often. You should consider buying a product with an excellent warranty period. You can get rug pads that are covered by 20-year warranties.
Do you use rug pads to protect your hardwood floors? If so, which products have you used? For readers who’ve never used rug pads, do you have any questions about the products in today’s reviews? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. We’re always happy to help you with additional information.
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