I've actually found thinner pads to be way more stable underfoot...less cushy, sure, but fewer lumps and bumps. Also, cotton rugs seem to wrinkle up faster for me; jute holds shape surprisingly well over time. Maybe worth another shot?
Totally agree on the thinner pads—less plush, but way fewer headaches down the road. Jute's been hit or miss for me though...had one client swear by it, another couldn't stand the texture underfoot. Personally, I've found wool rugs to be a solid middle ground—durable, stays flat, and feels decent enough barefoot. Might not be the cheapest option upfront, but saves you from constantly replacing wrinkled cotton ones every year or two.
You're spot on with wool rugs—I've had great luck with them holding up in high-traffic spaces. Jute looks amazing in photos, but yeah...clients either love it or hate it once it's actually underfoot. I've also found sisal to be surprisingly versatile; it's smoother than jute and still gives that natural look without the scratchiness. A bit pricier than cotton, sure, but way less hassle overall. Glad someone else gets the value of investing upfront to save headaches later.
Interesting points on sisal—I agree it's a solid middle-ground option. I've noticed though, in humid climates, sisal can sometimes warp or buckle slightly over time. Have you run into that issue, or found ways to mitigate it?
"I've noticed though, in humid climates, sisal can sometimes warp or buckle slightly over time."
Yeah, humidity's definitely a factor with sisal. I've seen it buckle occasionally on projects near the coast. A few things that've helped:
- Ensuring proper ventilation beneath the flooring (airflow makes a big difference).
- Using moisture barriers underneath—doesn't eliminate the issue completely but slows it significantly.
- Choosing tighter weaves; looser ones seem more prone to warping.
Not foolproof, but these tweaks have kept things stable for me so far...
