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How to Stop Rugs Sliding on Wooden Floors | The Step-by-Step Guide

If you have read any of our articles before, you know that we LOVE rugs being placed on wooden floors. Adding something as simple as a rug to your wooden floor, whether it is solid wood or faux wood, upgrades the look and feel of the space no end!

It's also an extremely cost effective way of adding a new texture to your otherwise solid wooden floor. In some instances, cheap rugs can be purchased for no more than £30!

One problem you may encounter, however, is your rug starting to slip on wooden floors. Not only is this a huge hassle, but it's also a legitimate safety concern.

In this article, we will go through the four main ways you can stop a rug from slipping on wooden floors, and how to complete the steps for each method we reveal.

Simply put, this is the "all you need to know" guide on how to stop rugs from sliding on wooden floors.

Ready? Let's get into it.

Option 1 - Anti-Slip Underlay for your Rugs

The first option (and our personal favourite) is to purchase an anti-slip underlay for your rug.

This is a sheet of material that you place underneath your rug, and it significantly decreases the likelihood of your rug sliding on your wooden floor.

There are many different types of anti-slip underlays available on the market, but we recommend opting for one that is made from latex, PVC or rubber. These materials are durable and will grip the floor well.

Make sure you measure the area where you want to place your rug before purchasing an anti-slip underlay, as you don't want to end up with a sheet that is too small! Once you have your underlay, simply place it underneath your rug and voila - no more slipping!

Just keep in mind that this is not a permanent solution. Over time, the anti-slip underlay will become less effective and you may need to replace it. But don't worry, replacing the underlay is not an expensive jobs and, unlike other methods we are going to talk about, it isn't permanent meaning you still have the option of changing the location of your rug/s with minimal hassle!

Option 2 - Use Rug Gripping Tape

If you don't want to purchase an entirely new sheet of material for your rug, you can also use gripping tape. This is a strip of tape that come with an adhesive backing, which you stick to the corners or edges of your rug.

The great thing about using tape is that it's extremely versatile. You can create any shape or size that you need, and it's very easy to apply. Simply peel off the backing and stick it down!

When choosing a tape, make sure you opt for one that is made from a durable material like PVC. You don't want the tape to fail after a few uses!

Another thing to keep in mind is the thickness of the tape. The thicker the tape, the more likely it is to grip the floor and stop your rug from slipping. But beware, too thick a tape can make your rug feel uncomfortable to walk on. We recommend opting for a tape that is around 3mm thick.

Once you have your tape, simply apply it to the corners or edges of your rug and press down firmly. That's all there is to it!

We do want to mention one thing, though. Depending on the material your rug backing is made from, you may find that, over time, using rug gripping take causes damage to the backing of your rug. This may mean that you, eventually, need to replace the entire rug which may not be a cheap process. Especially if you purchased a designer rug.

Option 3 - Use Silicone Caulk

If you want a more permanent solution, you can use silicone caulk to stop your rugs from sliding on wooden floors. This is a strong adhesive that will bond your rug to the floor, making it very unlikely to move.

To use this method, simply apply a generous amount of silicone caulk around the edge or perimeter of your rug. Once you have done that, press your rug down onto the floor and leave it to dry for 24 hours.

Once the adhesive has dried, your rug should be firmly attached to the floor and shouldn't move unless you deliberately pick it up.

One thing we want to mention is that you need to be careful when using this method. Applying too much silicone caulk can cause damage to your floor, and it can also make your rug difficult (or even impossible) to remove. So only use as much as you need!

Option 4 - Use Velcro

Slightly less permanent than using a silicone caulk to bond your rug to the wooden floor is using Velcro.

Velcro, a type of hook and loop adhesive, is a self-adhesive material that has a wide range of uses. We would define it as a semi-permanent way to adhere your rug to a wooden floor to reduce, or even completely remove, any sliding that occurs between your rug and the wooden floor it sits on.

To install a Velcro anchor to your rug, simply stick one side of the Velcro directly to your wooden floor and one side of the Velcro to the backing of your rug and place together firmly. Just be wary that you have the two sides of the Velcro lined up correctly as it would be a hassle to have to start again.

The general rule of thumb when using Velcro is to use one strip for every two square feet, so be sure to order enough in advance.

Once you have installed the Velcro strips, your rug should no longer move around on your wooden floor unless there is a very high amount of force applied, and even then it might just slip a little instead of completely coming away from the floor.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to give our expert team a call. We would be happy to help you out!

  • Posted On: 23 September 2022

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