OK, so you're buying a new carpet. But what about padding? Do you need to buy that, too?

Padding is the cushion below a carpet and should be used unless the carpet is foam-backed, according to the University of Illinois Extension Service.

For most areas of a home, 40-ounce padding is usually adequate; in high traffic areas and stairs, 50-ounce padding may be a better choice, according to the extention service.

Padding is priced according to weight per square yard, except urethane, which is priced by thickness.

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According to Access Carpets, purchasing padding and netting for your carpet is important because:

• Padding helps insulate your home. The thicker and more dense the pad the better the insulation. Increasing your pad density could save you hundreds of dollars in utility bills.
• Noise levels are greatly reduced by dense padding.
• Padding prevents your carpet from slipping and shifting.
• Padding extends carpet performance. Carpet will look better up to 30 percent longer by using the proper padding.
• Padding can improve the feel of your new carpet. The more dense and thicker the pad, the more luxurious the feel.

However, not just any padding will do, according to CarpetGuru.com.

Different carpets have different padding guidelines, and if you don't follow the manufacturer's guidelines, you could void your carpet warranty.

According to the University of Illinois extension service, here are some of the different padding types:

Felted may be all animal hair or a combination of felt and fibers.

Foam Rubber is firm, dense, non-allergenic, and mildew and moth resistant. However, in moist areas, it will deteriorate.

Sponge Rubber comes in both flat and waffle finish; some types may be too soft for adequate support. It should be at least one-half inch thick.

Urethane Foam is very durable, resilient and will not crumble; it's also moisture and heat resistant. It should be one-half inch thick or less with a density of two to four pounds per cubic foot.

Sources:

• University of Illinois Extension Service
• CarpetGuru.com
• Access Carpets.com