Help For Choosing the Perfect Moving Pad to Fit Your Needs

There are several important components to a Moving Pad, which is also referred to as a Moving Blanket and Furniture Moving Pad.  As Professional Movers know, these components play a large role in the strength, durability and protectiveness of a pad.

FABRIC

Arguably, the most significant aspect of any Moving Blanket is the Fabric.  Some moving companies will want to stress the weight of the Moving Pads as being important, but weight does not necessarily add to a Moving Blanket’s strength, protectiveness and durability.  In fact, weight can sometimes be an impediment to moving.  It is the type of fabric and thread count that most significantly impacts the quality of a moving pad, followed by the batting and stitch pattern.

The absolutely best fabric for a Moving Pad is densely woven poly-cotton.  Nothing comes close, and there are many professional movers that will use nothing else.  There are several reasons for why Densely Wove Poly-Cotton is the top choice when needing to purchase the highest quality moving pad available in the market.

First, cotton— which is soft, pliable, and soft to the touch—will provide the greatest degree of protection for your furnishings, far more than any synthetic material can.  Among its many other attributes, cotton will not mar or scratch, provides insulation in  both the heat and the cold, will last the longest (and hence moving pads will not need to be replaced as often), and will not slip off furniture —something that synthetic material tends to do, thereby leaving furniture vulnerable to injury.  By purchasing a moving pad that is made up of a poly-cotton blend, you will achieve the perfect pad.  You will get a Moving Pad that has the durability, strength, and ultra-protective qualities of cotton as well as the resistance to shrinking and staining that a good quality polyester provides.  Although Poly-Cotton Furniture Moving Pads cost more than all Polyester or Synthetic Pads (due to the higher costs of cotton), in the long run, they often provide the best value—given their increased durability. Therefore, given how long a poly-cotton Moving Pad will last, and in the most arduous moving conditions, the Poly Cotton Moving Pads pay for themselves.

The second best choice of fabric for Moving Pads is Woven Polyester.  Woven Polyester will provide a mover with generally reliable coverage and polyester moving furniture moving pads are the most popular choices for local professional movers. This is due to their combining good coverage along with more economical pricing.  The detriments to purchasing an all-poly pad is that it won’t hold up as long, and hence will have to be replaced more often. They also can never offer the same degree of protection, and hence are not the optimal choice for furnishings that are particularly valuable.

The third choice of fabric for Moving Pads is synthetic (also referred to as non-woven).

Given that these are the most economical, many movers are using synthetic pads more often, and feel that they do offer some protection.  However, it is important to know that synthetic pads can tear when tape is applied to them, and they will need to be repurchased often due to their synthetic make-up.  Therefore, they are often more economical initially, but become less of a value compared to woven polyester and poly-cotton pads ultimately.  Synthetic, non-woven Moving Pads are best used as Storage Pads, where they do supply excellent coverage.

WEIGHT

A solid, professional weight for Furniture Moving Pads is anywhere between 70 - 80 pounds per dozen.  Pads that weigh much less generally fall into the category of storage pads.  However, it is a misconception that weight is the most significant aspect of a pad and determines its quality. It is the quality of the fabric along with the stitch pattern and other factors which play the strongest role in a pad's durability and protectiveness. In fact, pads that are too heavy can be a detriment to the mover.

STITCH PATTERN AND BINDING

New Haven has been at the forefront for years in recognizing the important of the stitch pattern and ensuring that our pads are engineered with the best stitch pattern for our customers. Ideally, Moving Pads are sewn using a sharp, zig-zag chevron pattern.  This pattern actually helps each pad retain its integrity and fight against the development or intensification of tears. Pads that are sewn with other patterns, or even less sharp chevron patterns, are more at risk of having tears deepen.

At New Haven, we also always utilize square corners and binding.  In fact, it was our company that invented ….

LOOKING AT THE INSIDE OF A MOVING PAD — IT’S BATTING

Something not easily detected on the outside, but crucial in determining the protectiveness and quality of a moving pad, is the filler material, referred to often as batting.  Many manufacturers will insert several pieces of batting into the insides of a moving pad.  This saves the manufacturer money, and the savings might be passed down to the customer.  However, moving pads with multiple pieces of batting will have subtle indentations or bumps as a result. And this, in turn, can cause harm to the very furnishings you are seeking to protect.  It is very important to always purchase a Moving Pad that is composed of a single piece of batting—one that is smooth and of an appropriate weight.  At New Haven, our Moving Pads are made with single and smooth batting.

COST

Cost is always an important factor in the decision making process, which is one reason why an understanding of the components that go into each moving pad is important.

You want to make sure that you are getting the best price, but also that you purchasing the right  moving pad to give you the level of protection and durability that you need. Keep in mind that Moving Pads that appear on the surface a great deal  (such as a synthetic, non-woven pad) can end up costing you more, due to your need to more frequently repurchase, as well as the problems that can occur when they don’t provide ample protection.  And Moving Pads that appear on the surface more expensive (such as a poly-cotton pad) can provide so much long-lasting durability that they pay for themselves in the long run-and give you the greatest protection in addition.