Everything You Need To Know About Underlay

When buying carpet underlay, you need to consider factors like the carpet type, the subfloor condition, the room's purpose, and your budget. The right underlay can greatly enhance the comfort and performance of your carpet, so it's essential that you choose wisely to meet your requirements.

Our advisor will cover the best options for your circumstances, which will depend on the carpet you select, the area being covered, your budget, and whether you have underfloor heating. In this article, we will give a brief overview of underlay and why it's important, as well as answer a few frequently asked questions.

What is underlay, and why is it important?

In essence, underlay refers to the cushioned material positioned beneath carpets before their installation. It serves multiple essential purposes in the carpeting process.

Underlay isn't solely about providing comfort underfoot, although that is of course important. It also plays a significant role in preserving the lifespan of your carpet and offers extra protection against moisture. Additionally, it excels as a shock absorber, making it ideal for minimizing noise from activities like walking or moving furniture.

In general, carpets installed without a proper underlay tend to wear out more quickly, reducing their longevity. This is especially important when laying carpet over concrete surfaces, as the underlay significantly enhances walking comfort.

Many people may not realize that a high-quality underlay can lead to cost savings by reducing heat loss and subsequently lowering energy bills. Furthermore, underlay contributes to noise reduction, resulting in an overall quieter living space. It also plays a pivotal role in protecting the carpet pile, making cleaning easier, and promoting a more hygienic home environment.

To sum it up, if you prioritize durability and a luxurious feel and want your carpet to stand the test of time, it's imperative to ensure your carpet is accompanied by a top-notch, brand-new underlay. Remember, all of our carpets include a 7mm PU foam underlay at no extra charge, which you can upgrade for an additional cost if you desire.

Which underlay is right for me?

There are different types of carpet underlay available, each with its own characteristics and suitability for different situations. Our local advisor will go through the options with you when we measure up your project, but in general, they can be classified as follows:

Foam Underlay

• Polyurethane foam, or PU underlay, is one of the most popular choices. It comes in various thicknesses (7mm-12mm) and densities.
• Low-density foam provides softness and comfort underfoot, making it suitable for bedrooms and living areas.
• High-density foam offers better support and durability, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and stairs.
• Rebond foam is made from recycled foam materials and is environmentally friendly.

Rubber Underlay

• Rubber underlay is durable and resilient, making it a good choice for areas with heavy foot traffic.
• It provides excellent support and insulation against both temperature and sound.
• Rubber underlay can be expensive but offers long-term performance.

Felt Underlay

• Felt underlay, often made from recycled fibers, provides a comfortable and insulating layer beneath the carpet.
• It is suitable for both residential and commercial applications.
• Felt underlay is less dense compared to rubber or PU foam, so it may not offer as much support.

Crumb Rubber Underlay

• Crumb rubber underlay is created from shredded or granulated rubber material.
• It offers good support, sound insulation, and durability.
• This type of underlay is especially useful for reducing noise transmission between floors in multi-story buildings.

Should I use old underlay?

Your carpet will need firm and consistent support to sustain its maximum performance. Fitting a carpet on an old underlay will reduce the life of the carpet as it won't provide the right support, resulting in wear showing quicker. It will also affect your wear guarantee.

If your old underlay is relatively new (laid in the last few years), then it might be okay to reuse it. For the best results, we would suggest you replace your underlay at the same time you replace your carpet.

All of our carpets are fitted on a 7mm PU foam underlay at no extra charge, so you don't need to worry about using your old underlay or paying for a new underlay unless you want to upgrade.

Do I need different underlay for different carpets?

Your choice of carpet won't have a huge amount of influence on the type of underlay you need. However, if you've opted for a carpet with a shorter pile height, you may want to add depth by choosing a slightly thicker underlay. This will provide extra cushioning without compromising on the style of your carpet. You may want to consider a thicker underlay for your bedrooms to create a really sumptuous, deep pile effect underfoot.

Is your carpet going on top of a concrete floor or perhaps in a room with underfloor heating? These factors may determine the type of underlay you choose, as you'll want to go for one that provides the correct level of insulation, soundproofing, and shock absorbency. Generally, sponge rubber or PU foam underlay is a great option for harder floors, as it's hard-wearing and provides plenty of insulation if the floor is made of a cold material like concrete.

What are Tog Ratings?

Just like duvets, carpets and underlay also have tog levels, which refer to their ability to retain heat. Typically, the higher the tog rating on your underlay, the better it will be at insulating your floor.

If you opt for or already have underfloor heating, be sure to add the tog rating and the carpet together to get a combined rating. Ideally, you should be looking for a combined tog rating of less than 2.5 for your carpet and underlay for underfloor systems to operate efficiently.

Are your underlays environmentally friendly?

Where we can, we use suppliers who provide underlay made from recyclable materials, as this usually means it's recyclable at the end of its life. Nearly all of our PU foam underlay is rebond foam, which is made from recycled foam materials and is environmentally friendly.

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