With all the stories about damage to laminate flooring, one must be careful to use the proper pad for the type of flooring in question. I keep hearing flooring people advising a homeowner not to use rubber or PVC pads on their laminate flooring as this can cause a negative reaction with the flooring. Although this may not be the case in all cases, it is better to be safe than sorry.

A good quality jute rug is completely safe for laminate flooring, extends the life of the rug and adds comfort. By good quality, I mean choose one that is made from recycled material. There are many of these jute rug pads on the market that are made from 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 states that it’s made from recycled materials. This type of material is usually recycled nylon and wool carpet fibers compressed together to form the pad. Secondly, as there are several qualities, the best is the one called a 40-ounce weight. This refers to the amount of material per square yard compressed into the pad. The higher the weight, the longer the pad will last and the stronger it will be at protecting your floor and carpet.

By purchasing a 40-ounce recycled jute rug pad and using it under your rugs on laminate flooring, your floors won’t take any damage. This quality should last around 15 years, even longer in less used rooms, with very little care. A simple vacuum now and then won’t hurt and there’s not much else to worry about.

Your laminate flooring is an investment, so be sure to protect it with the right carpet pad. If you save a little now on those waffles as non-slip pads, you can pay a much higher price later to repair or replace your floors.