All About Rug Pads

We stock 4 types of rugs pads in their Portland, Maine showroom in standard sizes up to 10x14: Optimat, Magnet, and Rubber Anchor in both 1/16" and 1/8" thicknesses. A standard size pad can be trimmed to fit your rug size when appropriate, for some odd rug sizes the pad will be special ordered. Typically, pads are cut 1” smaller on all 4 sides than your rug size. Please call ahead with your rug size and we will make these adjustments. Additional types of pads can be special ordered, refer to our rug pad collection page for these options.  Ordering time is 2-3 weeks.  

Why use a rug pad?

Comfort : pads will add cushion underfoot

Stability: pads will hold the rugs in place, making them safer to walk on and reduces rugs movement. 

Longevity: pads extend the life of the rug by giving a bit of cushioning from the everyday foot traffic.

Protection: Open backed rugs allow fine particles of sand to work their way through the top of the rug and can act like sandpaper between the rug and the floor. This can lead to scratches on your flooring.  Very heavy furniture can leave a permanent mark on flooring without the added layer of a cushioned rug pad.

How to select the best rug pad for your needs

Do you have radiant heat? 

If Yes : Select rubber anchor or magnet

If no : For room size use Optimat. For smaller rugs and runners, especially in high traffic areas use rubber anchor for maximum hold on the floor. We love the 1/16" thickness for most applications. 

Do you have door clearance restrictions? 

Select Rubber Anchor 1/16”, the thinnest pad we offer

Is your rug very thin and has a stiff backing such as a flat woven bound rug made of sisal, wool or poly?

We may use the thinner version of Magnet pad called securenet. Rubber Anchor is also suitable. These types of rugs do not always lay flat over a thicker pad like optimat.

Is your rug small, unbacked flat weave, kilim, dhurrie, worn antique OR you want to maximize the pads grip on the floor ?  

Select rubber anchor, this is the best quality pad on the market and does not move once on the floor. All small rugs will move a bit regardless of pad but rubber anchor reduces the frequency that you need to readjust. This pad is made on 54” widths and will be provided in multiple pieces when needed. The pieces are not taped together and should be laid on the floor side by side.  

Optimat

Made of 22 ounces of felt and 16 ounces of non-washable rubber per square yard with a heat fused face, optimat pad is ideal for use with hard surface flooring or wall-to-wall carpet. Place the reverse waffle (rubber) side face down on hard floors and you get excellent gripping power. Turn the pad over – rubber side up – and you have a pad that keeps area rugs securely in place over wall- to-wall carpeting. The surface is specially treated to provide extra grip and prevent fuzzing and fraying. It will not stain, mar or discolor standard flooring. Optimat pad is 1/8" thick. NOT for use with radiant floor heating.

Ideal for:

• Most hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.
• Placing area rugs on top of wall-to-wall carpet or when layering area rugs.
• Adding stability and cushion under thin rugs ie: flat weaves etc.

Ultimat 

Literally the ultimate in rug pads, Ultimat is made with 28 ounces of fiber and 20 ounces of washable rubber and 5 ounces of latex face coat per square yard. Like optimat, place the reverse waffle (rubber) side face down on hard floors, turn over - rubber side up - and you have a pad that keeps area rugs securely in place over wall- to-wall carpeting. The surface is specially treated to provide extra grip and prevent fuzzing and fraying. It will not stain, mar or discolor standard flooring. UltiMat is 1/4" thick.  NOT for use with radiant floor heating.

Ideal for:

• Most hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.
• Extra protection and stability under thinner rugs ie: flat weaves, old, worn rugs etc.
• Additional cushion and comfort under any area rug.

Slimmat

An extra thin version of the optimat pad. Slimmat is 1/16" thick. It will not stain, mar or discolor standard flooring. NOT for use with radiant floor heating.

Ideal for:

• Great for tight spaces under doors.
• With extra thick rugs that need no additional padding.
• Most hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.

Securenet

Made with soft pillows of non-toxic, natural rubber to provide a comfortable cushion that holds rugs tight to the floor. Approved for radiant floor heating. It will not stain, mar or discolor standard flooring. Securenet is approximately 1/16" thick.

Ideal for:

• Tight spaces under doors. 
• Use with radiant floor heat
• All hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.

Magnet

The thickest and toughest open-weave non-toxic, natural latex pad available. Provide a comfortable cushion that holds rugs tight to the floor. Approved for radiant floor heating. It will not stain, mar or discolor standard flooring. Magnet is approximately 3/16" thick.

Ideal for:

• Extra cushion for radiant heat floors
• All hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.

Rubber Anchor II

The VERY best rug pad for any type of area rug. Made with open cell natural, non-toxic rubber, Rubber Anchor II’s comfort, resilience, performance in protecting against rug wear and preventing slipping, on both wood and tile floors, is unsurpassed by any other rug pad. It’s smooth surface eliminates the possibility of texture showing through even the finest rugs. Available in 3 thicknesses 1/16", 1/8", and 1/4".

Ideal for:

• All hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.
• Preventing area rugs from migrating around the floor.
• Providing additional comfort under foot.

Rubber Anchor Green

A great choice for consumers looking for an eco-friendly, non-toxic rug pad.  Like all the Rubber Anchor products, Rubber Anchor Green is made of natural rubber, a rapidly renewable resource, and it contains no toxic chemicals. In addition it is made with recycled rubber and through a partnership with Trees for the Future, a tree is planted for every pad sold. Rubber Anchor Green offers comfort, resilience, and performance in protecting against rug wear and preventing slipping on both wood and tile floors. 

Ideal for:

• All hard surface flooring; hardwood, tile, laminate, linoleum etc.
• Preventing area rugs from migrating around the floor.
• Providing additional comfort under foot.
• Those who are especially eco-conscious

Still have Questions?  Contact us