How Much Does Carpet Padding Cost in 2024?

Average Carpet Padding Costs

Carpet Padding Cost Factors 

Various factors, including the thickness and density of the material, affect the total cost of carpet padding. Labor costs for installation, replacement, or removal also vary. 

Thickness

As the thickness of carpet padding increases, so does the price. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that thicker is better. The padding thickness required depends on the area's foot traffic.

If you can't find manufacturer specifications, choose the thickness based on the type of carpet you have and the area's foot traffic. For example, in high-traffic areas such as hallways, choose a thinner, firmer pad with around an eight-pound density. 

Living rooms, bedrooms, playrooms, and other low-traffic areas benefit from thicker, softer pads with a six- to eight-pound density, which gives a softer, more comfortable underfoot feel. 

If you have Berber or short pile carpets, you need a thin pad of no more than 3/8 of an inch. Any thicker than this and you may cause wear and damage to the carpet and will most likely void the warranty.

Density

The denser the padding, the more durable it is—although it’s less soft and less comfortable. Typical carpet padding has a density of between six and eight pounds per cubic foot. However, you can go up to 10 pounds per cubic foot for high-traffic areas like entryways and hallways. These denser carpet pads are much more durable, but they also cost more and are firmer underfoot.

Labor

Hiring a local carpet installer typically costs $2 to $8 per square foot. This includes all materials and labor time for laying down the carpet, the pad, and the underlayment.

It’s around $0.75 to $3.75 per square foot if you only require carpet padding and a contractor to help put it in place. We recommend an underlay underneath, which is typically included with the cost of installing carpet padding.

Replacement

Replacing carpet padding costs around $0.75 to $3.75 per square foot. The price covers pulling back the existing carpet, removing the old pad, installing a new one, and restretching the carpet. 

Remember that not all pads are of the same quality, so speak with your carpet fitter to find out if you can keep your old one and install a new carpet on top. If you're on a tight budget, hiring a local carpet repair pro to repair the carpet costs less than replacing carpet padding.

Removal

Removing the carpet and pad costs around $0.25 to $1 per square foot, including labor and waste disposal. It requires pulling the carpet from the tack strips, cutting it into small pieces for easy transport, and stripping old glue if necessary.

Carpet Padding Prices per Square Foot

Expect to pay an average of $2.25 per square foot for the carpet pad and installation. However, prices will vary depending on the material you choose. View the table below for a general estimate of carpet pad costs per square foot.

Cost of Carpet Padding per Square Yard

The per square yard price for padding is $6.75 to $15.75, including labor. For materials alone, expect to pay $2.25 to $27.

Carpet Pad Price per Roll

Rolls cost $75 to $270 and typically measure 45 by 6 feet, which is equal to 270 square feet. The cost of the roll and installation is between $200 and $1,000.

Carpet Pad Cost by Materials

The most budget-friendly carpet padding is rebonded foam, which starts at $0.25 per square foot for materials only or $0.75 per square foot installed. It's a good compromise between cost and durability. Flat rubber costs the most, up to $3 per square foot for the padding or $3.75 with installation. While flat rubber is the most costly option, it's also the most durable, saving you money in the long run.

Rebonded Foam

Rebonded foam costs around $0.75 to $1.55 per square foot with installation. It's a popular, affordable option that's widely available. Plus, it's an eco-friendly option because it's made from 100% recycled foam, diverting nonbiodegradable foam from landfills. However, rebonded foam isn’t the most durable, so it’s not suited for use in areas of heavy foot traffic. Also, it isn't compatible with all carpet types so can void your carpet's warranty.

Prime Foam

Prime foam costs around $1 to $2.25 per square foot with installation. This type of foam typically comes free with your new carpet, and while it feels soft when it's first installed, the material won't last. The air pockets quickly compress, and the life span is only three to four years. If you go with this option, remember that you'll have to replace it frequently, and even so, it's only suitable for light-traffic rooms.

Fiber, Jute, or Felt

Fiber carpet padding typically costs around $0.85 to $2 per square foot with installation. Fiber refers to natural, synthetic, or recycled fibers. We break down the differences below:

• Natural fibers: jute, felt, wool, and horse hair

• Synthetic fibers: nylon, polyester, acrylic, or polypropylene 

• Recycled fibers: made from textile fibers

Natural and recycled options are made from sustainable sources so they’re eco-friendly, can be reused, and will eventually break down. Felt carpet padding is the most common natural fiber type, and it's prized for its high density and long-lasting durability. Felt can also withstand high foot traffic and is an excellent insulator, but it doesn't give the softest cushion. Additionally, natural fibers like felt are at risk of mold if installed in basements and other perpetually damp areas.

Waffle Rubber

Waffle rubber carpet padding is priced at around $1 to $1.75 per square foot with installation. This type of pad has a rippled air pocket design and is hypoallergenic and resistant to mold because it's made of rubber. However, waffle rubber is the least dense and not as durable as rebonded rubber, although it feels soft and comfortable.

Memory Foam

Memory foam carpet padding costs about $1 to $1.75 per square foot with installation. It's super-soft to walk on and provides enough "give" to allow for a gentle cushion on the joints. However, it's not durable compared to carpet pads of similar prices, and it isn't suitable for high-traffic areas. Additionally, it causes the carpet to stretch constantly because of how memory foam flexes, which can cause damage long-term.

Frothed Foam

Frothed foam carpet pads run from around $1 to $2.75 per square foot with installation. It's made from polyurethane or urethane foam and is more durable than prime and rebonded foam, which means it can handle high foot traffic better. 

Flat Rubber

Flat rubber carpet padding costs around $1.25 to $3.75 per square foot with installation. While the most expensive option, it's also the densest and most durable, with a life span of up to 20 years. Suitable for most carpet types, including Berber and loop carpets, it’s durable enough for use over concrete floors and a good choice for high-traffic areas.

Cost of Carpet Underlayment

Part of the cost of installing a carpet is adding underlay, which provides a solid, even surface for the carpet pad and carpet to sit on. It also reduces wear and friction on the carpet pad and the carpet and acts as an insulator and shock absorber, helping to decrease noise and increase underfoot comfort. An underlayment costs around $0.50 to $1.25 per square foot for materials only. 

Luan Underlay

Luan underlay is a type of tropical hardwood typically made into 1/4-inch-thick plywood for underneath flooring and costs $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot. It’s a popular choice since the smooth surface makes installing vinyl sheets and carpet on top easy. However, luan has poor moisture resistance, so be sure to use sheets or rolls of the top flooring material instead of tiles or squares. This cuts down on the number of openings where water can come through.

Cork Underlayment

Cork underlayment costs around $0.50 to $2 per square foot. The popular thickness range is 3/32 to 1/4 inch, and it’s easiest to install it onto wooden plank boards before fitting your pad and carpet on top.

Oriented Strand Board

Oriented strand board or OSB costs around $0.50 to $1.25 per square foot. The standard sheet size is 4-by-8 feet, and you can mount the carpet or tile on top of it.

Carpet Padding Cost by Brand

Schluter-Systems

DITRA is a 1/8- to 5/16-inch polyethylene padding system that absorbs movement using an angled grid structure. It costs around $2.25 per square foot.

Future Foam

The company specializes in manufacturing a variety of polyurethane pads with eco-friendly certifications. The 3/8-inch pad is around $0.50 per square foot, and the 1/2-inch pad is around $0.75 per square foot.

DMX 1-Step

A dimpled design using closed-cell polyethylene foam enables airflow and moisture evaporation underneath floors and carpets. It typically costs $1 per square foot.

Budgeting for Carpet Padding Installation

To make your carpet padding installation more budget-friendly, consider the following tips:

• Opt for the thinnest padding suitable for the space.

• If your carpet padding is damaged, contact a pro to determine if repair is more cost-effective than replacement.

• Choose a budget-friendly material, such as rebounded foam or prime foam.

• Compare prices from local contractors to find the most cost-effective option in your area.

• Look for closeout deals or seasonal sales from retailers to find padding at discounted prices.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.