Hand Tufted Rugs
Rug Pads and Rug Backing Explained: What's Under Your Rug and Why It Matters
When you buy a rug, you look at the front: the colors, the pattern, the softness of the pile. But two things you rarely see make an enormous difference to how a rug feels, how safe it is and how long it lasts. The first is the rug's own backing, the layer that holds the pile together. The second is the rug pad, the layer you put between the rug and your floor.
This guide explains what's on the back of a hand-tufted rug and how to look after it, why almost every rug needs a pad, the different types of pad and which one suits your floor, and how to size and fit a pad properly. It's not the most glamorous part of choosing a rug, but getting it right is the difference between a rug that slides, curls and wears out and one that stays flat, comfortable and beautiful for years.
The short answer
- Backing: hand-tufted rugs have a backing that locks the tufts in place. Ours is a cotton canvas with latex. Keep it dry and avoid heat and soaking.
- Pad: almost every rug needs one. It stops slipping, keeps edges flat, adds comfort and protects both rug and floor.
- Type: felt for cushion, rubber for grip, felt-and-rubber for both.
- Size: about an inch or two smaller than the rug on every side.
- Floor: check that the pad suits your floor finish, especially vinyl and heated floors.
Part 1: The backing of a hand-tufted rug
How a hand-tufted rug is built
A hand-tufted rug is built in layers. First, the design is drawn onto a tightly stretched base cloth. Artisans then punch yarn through that cloth with a hand-held tufting tool, following the design loop by loop, until the whole surface is covered. At this stage, the yarn is held in place only by the weave of the base cloth.
To lock every tuft in place, the back of the rug is coated with an adhesive layer, usually latex. A second cloth is then applied over the back to cover and protect it and give the rug a neat, finished underside. Finally, the front is sheared to an even height, carved where the design needs it, edged and finished.
Our hand-tufted rugs have a cotton canvas backing with latex. It's what keeps the pile secure, gives the rug its body and helps it lie flat. You can read more about the whole process in our guide to how hand-tufted rugs are made.
Why the backing matters
The backing is the rug's skeleton. A well-made backing holds tufts firmly, so the rug sheds less over time and keeps its shape. It also determines how the rug sits on the floor: a good backing lies flat and relaxed rather than stiff or wavy. When you're comparing rugs, it's worth asking what the backing is made of and how the rug is finished, because a cheap, rushed backing can lead to loose tufts and curling edges.
How to care for the backing
The backing is the part of a hand-tufted rug that most dislikes water and heat, so a few simple habits protect it:
- Keep it dry. Blot spills quickly so liquid doesn't soak through to the backing. If the back gets wet, lift the rug and let both sides dry fully before putting it back down.
- Avoid soaking and steam cleaning. Large amounts of water and steam can weaken the latex layer, cause browning or leave odors. Use a professional rug cleaner for deep cleaning.
- Keep it away from direct heat. Don't place the rug against radiators or heaters, and avoid hair dryers on damp areas.
- Don't machine-wash it. Hand-tufted rugs aren't designed for washing machines.
- Use a pad. A pad reduces friction between the backing and the floor, which protects both.
See our guides to removing rug stains and rug care for more.
A note on latex sensitivity
Because our hand-tufted rugs use latex in the backing, anyone in your household with a known latex sensitivity should contact us before ordering so we can talk through the options.
Part 2: Why you need a rug pad
It's tempting to skip the pad, but it's one of the best-value things you can buy for a rug. A good pad does six jobs at once:
- Stops slipping. On hard floors, a rug without a pad can slide when someone walks across it, especially in busy areas and homes with children, older relatives or pets.
- Keeps edges and corners flat. A pad helps a rug stay flat, so corners don't curl into trip hazards.
- Adds comfort. A cushioned pad makes any rug feel thicker and softer underfoot.
- Extends the rug's life. By absorbing some of the impact of footsteps and furniture, a pad reduces wear on the pile and the backing.
- Protects the floor. Grit that works through a rug can scratch hard floors. A pad adds a buffer and stops the rug's backing rubbing directly on the finish.
- Reduces noise. A cushioned pad helps soften footsteps, especially in upstairs rooms and apartments.
Part 3: Types of rug pad
Felt pads
Felt pads are dense and cushioning. They add comfort, a little insulation and noise reduction, and they help a rug feel more luxurious underfoot. On their own, pure felt pads don't grip a smooth floor strongly, so they're best for large rugs held in place by furniture, or for use on carpet.
Rubber pads
Natural rubber pads grip well and are thin, which makes them ideal where you need non-slip without extra height, such as near doors or for smaller rugs. They add little cushioning on their own.
Felt and rubber combination pads
These have a felt top for cushioning and a rubber underside for grip, which makes them the all-rounder for most living rooms and bedrooms on hard floors. They're the most popular choice for medium and large hand-tufted rugs.
Thin grip pads and grippers
Very thin mesh pads, corner grippers and rug tapes help stop slipping without adding height. They're useful for small rugs, layered rugs and spots near doors, but they don't add comfort.
Rug-on-carpet pads
Pads made specifically for placing a rug over carpet grip both surfaces and stop the rug creeping across the carpet. Ordinary hard-floor pads often don't work well on carpet. See our guide to rug vs carpet vs area rug for more on layering a rug over carpet.
A word on cheap plastic pads
Some inexpensive pads made from certain plastics can react with some floor finishes over time, causing marks or discoloration, and can break down under heavy use. If you're unsure, choose a pad from a reputable maker, check its guidance for your floor type, and avoid pads with a strong chemical smell.
Part 4: Choosing a pad for your floor
| Floor | Good pad choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood or engineered wood | Felt and rubber | Check the pad is suitable for finished wood |
| Tile or stone | Felt and rubber, or rubber | Grip matters on smooth, polished surfaces |
| Vinyl, LVP or laminate | A pad approved for your floor | Some floor makers recommend specific pad types; check their guidance |
| Heated floors | A pad rated for underfloor heating | Check both the pad and the heating maker's guidance |
| Carpet | Rug-on-carpet pad | Stops the rug creeping and wrinkling |
| Near doors | Thin rubber or grip pad | Keeps total height low so doors clear |
If you have marble or polished tile, our guide to rugs for marble and tile floors has more advice.
Part 5: How thick should a rug pad be?
Pad thickness is a balance between comfort and practicality. A thicker, cushioned pad feels wonderful under a living room or bedroom rug, but it adds height, which matters near doors and in walkways. A thin pad keeps the rug low, so doors clear it and nobody catches a toe on the edge.
As a rule of thumb, use a thin pad for entryways, hallways, rugs near doors and small rugs, and a medium cushioned pad for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms where comfort matters most. Remember that our hand-tufted rugs already have a medium pile of about 12 to 14 mm, roughly half an inch, so you don't need a very thick pad to make them feel plush. Measure the gap under any door that swings over the rug, and make sure the rug plus pad fits comfortably underneath.
Part 6: Sizing and fitting a rug pad
A pad should be slightly smaller than the rug, usually about an inch or two in from the edge on every side. That lets the rug's edges taper gently down to the floor, so they don't stick up and the pad stays hidden. Many pads are sold in standard rug sizes and can be trimmed with sharp scissors.
To fit one:
- Clean the floor thoroughly, so grit doesn't get trapped under the pad.
- Lay the pad where the rug will go, grip side down.
- Unroll the rug on top, starting from one end, and line it up.
- Check the edges. If the pad shows anywhere, lift the rug and trim the pad.
- Smooth it out from the center toward the edges, then place the furniture.
For round, oval and irregular-shaped rugs, lay the rug upside down on the pad, trace around it, then trim the pad slightly inside the line.
Part 7: Caring for your rug pad
A pad doesn't need much attention, but a little care helps. When you vacuum under your rug or rotate it, lift the pad and vacuum the floor beneath. Check every year or so that the pad is still gripping and hasn't hardened, crumbled or flattened, and replace it if it has. A worn-out pad can stop gripping without you noticing until the rug starts to slide. If a large spill soaks through the rug, lift both the rug and the pad and dry them separately.
Common mistakes
- No pad at all, so the rug slides and the edges curl.
- A pad bigger than the rug, showing around the edges.
- A thick pad by a door, so the door catches.
- The wrong pad for the floor, especially on vinyl, laminate or heated floors.
- Soaking the rug during cleaning, which can damage the backing.
- Never checking the pad, so an old, worn pad stops gripping.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a rug pad?
On hard floors, yes. A pad stops slipping, keeps edges flat, adds comfort and protects both the rug and the floor.
What is the backing on a hand-tufted rug?
An adhesive layer, usually latex, that locks the tufts in place, covered by a finishing cloth. Ours is a cotton canvas with latex.
What size rug pad do I need?
About an inch or two smaller than the rug on every side, so the pad stays hidden and the edges taper to the floor.
Which rug pad is best for hardwood floors?
A felt and rubber combination pad that's suitable for finished wood is a good all-round choice.
Can I use a rug pad on carpet?
Yes, but choose one designed for rug-on-carpet use so it grips both surfaces.
Can I wash a hand-tufted rug?
Not in a washing machine, and avoid soaking or steam cleaning. Spot clean with minimal water and use a professional rug cleaner for deep cleaning.
Shop hand-tufted rugs
Read next: how to layer rugs and rugs for high-traffic areas.
Every rug is hand-tufted to order in New Zealand wool and wool blends and ships in 8 days. In the US, it's delivered to your door in 2 to 3 weeks, with shipping and import duties already paid.