Difference Between 6lb And 8lb Carpet Pad

6 lb pads are typically 5 16 thickness and 8lb are 7 16 thickness.
Difference between 6lb and 8lb carpet pad. Density is typically 2 5lbs. The carpet was just laid and the left over roll that was in the dumpster feels like 6lb. The bag that it was in didn t state 6lb or 8lb however did state 7 16. How to pick carpet pad.
There s not much difference in price between 6 pound pad and 8 pound pad and in my ebook i reveal ways to upgrade your pad for free. We paid for an 8lb carpet pad vs the builder s standard of 6lb. Took the sample to lowes to compare to their 6 lb and it feels identical. Some folks prefer the 6 pound density padding because it is slightly softer underfoot than an 8 pound pad.
In your case it could save you some money to use the 6 pound pad since you are dealing with a builder. It s not much more money to get 8lb pad vs 6lbs and it will hold up much better under your carpet. A carpet pad adds a layer. If you re planning on 10 year carpet i recommend going all out with 8 lb pad.
However an 8 pound padding provides better support for your carpet and will generally make it wear better especially in high traffic areas like stairs and hallways. The densities i just recommended are for standard rebond pad. Other than that the density isn t so much that it makes a significant difference in the way it feels. More homeowners prefer the 6 pound pad overall because they like their carpet to feel cushy.
Here is a full list of densities by pad type.