After seeing carpets in Istanbul, I'm done with standard padding

I always used the basic foam padding for years. But seeing how they use thick wool underlays in old mosques (seriously, it feels like walking on clouds) changed my whole approach. Now I suggest nicer materials every chance I get.

4 comments

4 Comments

noahsanchez1mo ago

Hold up, have we all just decided foam is terrible now? Wilson.lee makes a fair point about horsehair, but that stuff costs a fortune and smells weird when it gets damp. Sometimes basic foam just gets the job done without all the fuss.

roberts791mo ago

After ten years with foam padding, my antique rug started to flatten out. Wilson.lee's point about horsehair bounce really changed my view on this.

terryscott17d ago

Ever try a combo pad? I did wool over a thin rubber grid after my rug went flat like roberts79 mentioned, and it's been a solid middle ground.

wilson.lee1mo ago

Remember that horsehair padding is what they used in really old palaces and theaters, not just wool. It gives that firm but springy feel under antique rugs. Wool is great for softness, but horsehair has more bounce and lasts forever. Both are miles better than modern foam for sure.