Rug Pad

A rug pad (also: underlay, underpad, gripper) sits between the rug and the floor. Its primary function is to prevent the rug from sliding, particularly important on polished wood or stone floors. Secondary functions: the padding protects the floor surface from the rug's friction, distributes weight more evenly across the pile, and adds a slight softness underfoot.

For flatweave rugs, a thin rubber mesh gripper is the correct pad, it anchors without adding height. For pile rugs, a felt-and-rubber combination pad both grips and adds cushion. Natural rubber pads are preferred over PVC or synthetic rubber, which can bond to some floor finishes over time, especially on hardwood floors with oil or wax finishes.

A rug pad does not substitute for a flat-lying rug, a rug with a wavy or buckled foundation should be addressed at the foundation level, not pinned down with a pad.