Do You Need a Rug Pad on Laminate Floors? Explained

By Samuel N •  Updated: 10/19/22 • 

A rug pad is a sheet of material placed underneath your area rug, floor rug, or carpet. There are different types of rug pads, and you should choose one specially made for your type of flooring.

Laminate floors are durable and economical. However, they are also smooth, which reduces friction and makes them prone to sliding.

Apart from keeping your rugs and you from slipping, rug pads are important for other reasons. Here are some other reasons to use rug pads on laminate flooring:

Avoid Laminate Flooring Discoloration

While laminate flooring is known for its durability, chemical reactions and discoloration can occur if not allowed to breathe.

This usually is a problem with rubber and latex rug pads. A solid rubber rug pad will prevent laminate flooring from breathing. The lack of air will cause a chemical reaction that will leave a yellowish residue on your laminate flooring.

Avoid using solid rubber or latex rug pads. Instead, use corrugated or honeycombed rug pads that allow air to circulate.

Choosing Rug Pads for Laminate Floors

When choosing the best rug pads for your laminate floors, go with smooth materials that allow the laminate flooring to breathe easily. Cotton, wool, felt, and natural rubber.

Some manufacturers discourage using rubber rug pads. Read the instructions from your preferred manufacturer for their recommended rug pad materials. This will help keep your laminate floors good and avoid voiding your warranty.

Samuel N

Samuel N is the founder of Improve Floor and has been in the flooring industry since 2005. Since then, his mission has been to make flooring easier for everyone. He helps countless people with flooring installation, finishing, maintenance, and repairs each year.