Carpet underlayment

[crcarch]

It seems that every auto TV show I've seen puts jute under the carpeting.  Can't seem to find any at the typical locales, (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.)  The do have carpet underlayment made of foam, some of the more expensive stuff has Scotchguard treatment.

Is there a reason that you can't use this newere foam stuff?  Is the oldschool cotton stuff really better? Let me know what you think.

[chevyconvert]

Whenever I've bought molded carpet sets in the past, the jute backing was included & attached to the carpet's underside.

[crcarch]

I have that, but I want additional padding under foot to make it a little more luxurious and to provide more sound dampening.

[chevyconvert]

there's lots of products

http://www.cardomain.com/features/sounddeadening

http://www.stockinteriors.com/heatsound.asp?Itemid=4783

etc.

or are you just wanting padding?

[crcarch]

Just padding.  I've already got Dynamat for sound and Reflectix for heat.

[Bullitt-]

I have found many uses for closed cell foam, 3/8"Black works well for padding I made kick panels from 3/8"Grey which is stiff. Knoxfoam has good price.
http://knoxfoam.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/closedcellfoam/closedcellfoam.htm?E+scstore

[crcarch]

I have found many uses for closed cell foam, 3/8"Black works well for padding I made kick panels from 3/8"Grey which is stiff. Knoxfoam has good price.
http://knoxfoam.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/closedcellfoam/closedcellfoam.htm?E+scstore

So you've used the foam as a carpet underlayment without any problems?  How long ago?

[Bullitt-]

I have used as underlay, only been a couple of months. It is a little stiff but I was able to cut & get contours. It took a little more than one piece to do. Closed cell foam does not absorb moisture. If you have ever seen the higher end carpet padding used in houses, I believe this is a similar product.

[crcarch]

Good to know.  Thanks.

[73EStroker]

Also remember if you are replacing the carpet keep the little backing pieces that fit into the floor rib dents. Hard to replace and they make the carpet look flat on the floor. I kept all of mine so when the carpet goes in I will have the factory look. Also I am going with the original cotton. If you cannot buy the cotton (believe it) my original stuff is still in great shape from 1973 - go figure.

[crcarch]

Also remember if you are replacing the carpet keep the little backing pieces that fit into the floor rib dents. Hard to replace and they make the carpet look flat on the floor. I kept all of mine so when the carpet goes in I will have the factory look. Also I am going with the original cotton. If you cannot buy the cotton (believe it) my original stuff is still in great shape from 1973 - go figure.

I have never heard of backing pieces.  My original carpeting was destroyed when the car was flooded in 1985.  I don't remember seeing anything like that when the original carpet was removed, but it would make sense.

[falcon50flier]

Jute HOLDS heat and is about the worst for flame retardant properties. If you run headers it will help make your interior an oven. It doesn't do much as a sound deadener either compared to other modern materials (Dynamat and generic limp mass [1 lb sq ft] sheet). Residential carpet pad (either virgin foam or rebond) is not made to withstand heat, or to be a good sound deadener. If you go to trouble and expense to replace your carpet, spend a few extra $$ on the real deal.

See www.insulshield.net for a broad selection of materials. There's also Lizard Skin and similar spray ons, with both heat suppression and sound deadening formulations.