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No, thick carpet padding isn’t necessarily better than thinner padding. The appropriate padding thickness will depend on the type of carpet and the amount of foot traffic in the area. 

For example, thick padding works well in low-traffic areas, like bedrooms, where you have soft and plush carpeting. However, thick carpet padding can damage low-pile carpet, which is used in the busiest parts of your home (like hallways and entryways). For that reason, it’s best to use thinner, heavier padding underneath carpet in high-traffic areas.

While not always required, experts recommend removing baseboards before removing old carpet and installing a new one. This practice leads to a smoother process and a cleaner, more professional-looking finish. Removing the baseboards allows for a seamless carpet installation without the risk of damaging either the carpet or the trim. It also provides a good opportunity to repaint or stain the baseboards and inspect the underlying wall for any issues. If you prefer a quicker option, you can carefully cut the old carpet along the edge of the baseboards, but this may result in a less polished installation for the new carpet.

Installing carpet padding is mostly a matter of measuring the room and cutting the carpet pad to size with a utility knife. You can save some money on carpet installation costs by doing it yourself. Before installing the carpet padding, you should install the tack strips around the room’s perimeter and prepare the subfloor by cleaning and making any necessary repairs. Then, unroll the carpet pad and cut sections as needed. Staple the carpet pad to the subfloor along the edges, leaving the tack strips exposed.

Some flooring companies recycle old carpet after replacing it. The broader flooring industry has been moving toward recycling more carpet material. However, whether an individual carpet gets recycled is up to the flooring company that removes it. When gathering quotes for new flooring in your area, ask each company about removal options and what they do with the material.