If you're installing new wall-to-wall carpets and you're wondering what padding is the best for you, read on. Cushion makes carpet feel softer and more resilient underfoot. It absorbs noise, prolongs carpet life and even insulates a bit. Padding can be made of many different materials, such as solid or re-bonded Urethane and natural or synthetic fibers and all are good. What is most important is the density or pounds per cubic foot. Density, not thickness, governs luxury and wear. Use at least a 6-pound pad under standard pile and 8-pound for extra-luxury or with thinner carpeting. A thickness over 7/16ths of an inch will be too soft underfoot. One-half inch is best. Go slightly thinner for a Berber-type pile. And for most areas, use class 1 cushioning. Where traffic is heavy, upgrade to a class 2 pad. Tomorrow in part 3 of carpet 1-2-3, we look at cleaning and care (how to maintain beauty and save wear and tear). And that's the On The House tip for today.