Everything about carpet backing
Color, texture, type. Things to always consider when buying your carpet. But if you roll it, you’ll find something else substantial – backing up. So what is carpet backing? The underside of a rug is also known as the backing. It protects the tufts and gives the carpet extra strength and dimensional stability as well as there are so many advantages of rugs with rubber backing. Let’s discuss everything about them before buying a carpet next time. Not all rugs and carpet have a rubber backing. By adding a pad to pieces without you are adding this feature for comfort and protection.
Most carpets have dual backing.
- The primary backing – the thread tufting point.
- The secondary backing – is the outer material.
You will also hear the term “unitary backing”, a heavy coating applied directly to the back of the carpet without using a secondary backing.
Depending on the performance requirements, carpet backing can be made from various materials (jute, polypropylene, rubber, etc.). Several additional treatments can be applied, including anti-stain, anti-microbial anti-static. Performance becomes more and more important when you analyze the type of environment in which the carpet is installed.
Consider the level of traffic the product meets your performance expectations, whether wear and tear is a factor and if moisture resistance and stain resistance are essential. Carpet backing is generally available in three types: standard, performance and high performance.
Standard backing:
This is the lowest level and is often used on carpets for residential applications. These backed products can be used commercially, but wrinkling or binding is possible if used in congested areas. This backup cannot be used in overcrowded commercial facilities.
Usually made from natural jute fibres or artificial polypropylene (it is a synthetic thermoplastic resin)
- Available in woven and non-woven
- Light but stable
- Resistant to mildew
- Used very well in low traffic settings
- Economic
- Commonly found on broadleaf carpets
- Limited to liabilities
Performance Backing:
This backing represents a high level of backing and provides more excellent dimensional stability and strength than standard backing. It is designed for commercial environments.
- Stops zipping and edging
- It has high tuft binding properties
- Solid rubber latex supports
- Retains carpet yarn for better performance
- Recommended in congested areas
- Enhanced warranty (limited to 10 years)
- Used on vast fabric carpets
- Ideal for direct adhesive installation
High-Performance Backing:
This backing is generally unitary. It is designed to provide long-lasting durability and helps protect carpets from stains, leaks and moisture. This support is requested for commercial environments.
- Extra hard rubber latex (prevents moisture penetration under the back)
- Ideal for congested areas
- Recommended for adhesive installation only
- Individual tiles can be used with removable adhesive for easy replacement (no adhesive required as adhesive is sticky)
- Moisture resistant
- It has high tuft binding properties
- The upper surface retains stains
- Wide fabric/carpet tile
- Life expectancy has been extended to liabilities
What are the rugs with rubber backing?
The material that sticks to the back of a rug is called the rug backing. In the rugs with rubber backing, this material is rubber. The material of the back of a rug is important for several reasons. The carpet should breathe to help air and moisture pass through the rug. Without proper carpet support, a rug can become susceptible to mildew, mould, and wear, and some rugs can even damage the floor. The most common types of rug support are heat kits, woven, felt and rubber latex.
Rugs with rubber backing are a great solution to any dangers in your home. You can find these rugs in diversified sizes – from small walk-ins to the door to the large living room.
Everything about Rugs with rubber backing
They do not provide much cushioning, and they have a great grip on the floor. Therefore, they eliminate rug movement that can cause them to slip.
Following are the main rugs with rubber backing on the market:
- Carpets with natural rubber backing
- Synthetic rubber-backed carpets
- Rubber latex carpet
Discover the difference between natural, synthetic and latex rugs with rubber backing, and look at how different rubber-backed carpets are made. Finally, let’s find out how this pairs with different types of flats. So, you can choose the perfect rubber backing next time.
Carpets with natural rubber backing
Carpets with natural rubber backing are made from 100% organic rubber latex extracted from rubber trees.
The main feature of natural rubber is its tensile strength – its capability to stretch. Organic rubber has higher tensile strength than its rubber latex or synthetic counterparts.
Moreover, it passes naturally (albeit faster than synthetic rubber) without releasing harmful toxins.
The advantages of using carpets with organic rubber backing include:
The quality of breathing air in your home is free from harmful toxins. Organic rubber-backed rugs are eco-friendly and do not emit gases – unlike synthetic or rubber latex rugs.
It is safe for the floor. It does not contain chemicals that react with your floor to cause stains or scratches, and natural rubber absorbs the floor instead of sticking to it. Therefore, when you remove the rug from the area, it will not tear the floor surface.
Synthetic rubber-backed rugs
A rug with a synthetic rubber backing is made of natural rubber treated with a chemical.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is one of the binding chemicals used in manufacturing.
The inclusion of chemicals in the manufacturing process has some benefits for synthetic rubber-backed carpets:
Has high resistance to wear, oxygen exposure and high-temperature conditions.
Available in more versatile options compared to natural rubber. You can find it in different colors and types.
However, synthetic rubber-backed carpets have some disadvantages – the use of chemicals in the bonding process is linked to:
- They remove gas and fill your home with toxins. Therefore, it is best to use them as an outdoor rugs.
- Instead of dressing naturally, they decay over time. This will release the crusts on them as shown below and discolour your floors.
Rubber latex carpet
Rubber latex is a synthetic liquid form of rubber classified as a polymer. A polymer is a product that can return to its original shape after elongation.
The main difference between latex and natural rubber is their source. Natural rubber is gathered from the rubber tree alone, and rubber latex produces rubber latex from about 20,000 species.
A rug with a rubber latex support is non-slip and water-resistant. Thus, it catches the ground and prevents water damage.
However, rubber latex has two major disadvantages:
- It can not breathe. Thus, rubber latex carpets trap large amounts of moisture between the carpet and the floor, which then causes moisture and discoloration.
- The rubber sticks to the floor. The latter is sticky dirt that stays on the laminate or vinyl and is difficult to remove because you run the risk of scratching. Always clean the floor before putting down a new carpet and make sure it dries properly before spreading your rubber pad or rubber backed carpet.
Do rugs with rubber backing ruin your expensive floors?
Rugs with synthetic rubber backing are not suitable for your expensive floors. But natural rubber is a safer option.
Reasons why you need rubber backed carpet for your hardwood floor
Their durability
With rubber-backed rugs on solid wood floors, rug pads can guarantee you a long service life. This is because natural rubber pads can withstand high temperatures without wrinkles.
Comfort
Your feet are happy with the comfort. The back of the latex rug is soft and comfortable on the feet. Also, because of their softness, they are perfect for a variety of rugs and yarns.
They protect the hardwood
With every carpet support, the rubber latex backing ensures that your wooden floor is safe and protected from scratches.
Further, rubber latex mats do not stain quickly. Rubber does not retain stains and is water-resistant. So, if you still have small children, you are sure that they will leak water and cause stains around the house.
How to select the best rugs with rubber backing?
Consider the Tuft Bind Properties of the Rug:
A wooden floor is slippery and can sometimes be a problem when laying a carpet. With a large tufted-binding rug, the threads are woven close together intricately, ensuring that this carpet holds firmly to the floor.
Consider the Weight of the Rug:
Large rugs are awesome. If they are drivers, they look great. But be sure not to buy mats with very large rubber backs. Larger rubber-backed carpets require more rubber pads for proper insulation. Obtaining a rubber pad is an additional expense for you.
How it glues the floor:
For those who like to stick their rugs to the floor, check that the glue under the back of the carpet holds up properly and for a long time. If you get a rug with thin rubber support, you will often have to remove the carpet when the foot traffic increases.
Look for Easy Clean:
Your carpet will sometimes get stains that you can not clean on the spot. You need to take the carpet out to clean it. Find out if you can take out carpets that are not too heavy quickly or call a professional who can come clean it at your house.
