Carpet Underlay

It’s recommended that you buy a new underlay when you replace your carpet, instead of using the existing one.

From PU foam and wool felt to crumb rubber and combination felt crumb rubber, the range of carpet underlay is vast, and knowing which to choose can be easier said than done.

Often, the best underlay is one that provides thermal insulation and noise reduction, makes the carpet feel softer underfoot, and acts as a shock absorber to prolong the lifespan of your new carpet.

But like anything else, to determine the right carpet underlay for your floors, there are a few factors you must consider:

• Room – which room is the underlay for? Typically, the staircase, hall, and other busy areas require a denser product to withstand heavy foot traffic, while bedrooms and living areas require warmth and comfort. 

• Floor type – think carefully about the type of floor you will place the underlay on. This will help to determine what thickness and material will work best. 

• Thickness – carpet underlays are sold in various thicknesses. Thicker underlays provide the most cushioning and work well in rooms where a luxuriously soft underfoot is favoured. 

• Tog rating – as a general rule of thumb, the higher the tog rating, the more thermal insulation it provides – helping to keep your rooms nice and snug. 

• Noise reduction – for rooms where impact noise is a problem, pay attention to the noise reduction decibel level of the carpet underlay.

With all this in mind, we would strongly recommend the Wilsons Plushwalk 10mm or 12mm. This range is made using memory white foam, giving astonishing levels of underfoot comfort. However our best advice is to browse our carpet underlay range in full and click on the products for more detailed information to help you make your decision.

If you’re still unsure which to buy, get in touch with our team on 0203 325 9082. We will happily assist you in finding the perfect carpet underlay.

Most customers are told that – with the appropriate maintenance – carpet underlay can last anywhere up to 25 years. However, this largely depends on the quality of your chosen underlay and the room in which it is fitted.

Cheap carpet underlays are usually made from low-quality materials and, no matter how well you take care of them, they cannot cope with foot traffic like more durable products.

Similarly, when used near the front door or in a busy area, you may find that your carpet underlay wears much faster than it does in a room that receives hardly any foot traffic.

A good quality underlay should feel soft, level, and supportive. There shouldn’t be spots that feel flat, lumps, or visible marks of damage. Another tell-tale sign that your carpet underlay needs replacing is that you can feel the hard floor beneath.

The price of carpet underlay is calculated per square metre (m²).

Of course, the more luxurious the underlay and the better its overall performance, the more it will cost you.

With that in mind, we suggest that you invest more in areas of high traffic (i.e. the stairs, kitchen, lounge, and hallways) to help your carpet retain its shape for longer.

Here at British Flooring, we pride ourselves on offering some of the most competitive prices for carpet underlay and are confident that you’ll find something to suit your budget within our extensive collection.

Yes – replacing your existing underlay and carpet is straightforward, as long as you have the appropriate tools and know exactly what you need to do.

To start, you’ll need to sweep and vacuum the floor to remove any staples, nails, or debris. If this proves difficult, hammer them into the floor until they’re flush.

The next step is to measure the room at its widest and longest points and add an extra 10cm to each of your measurements. This to allow for trimming and fitting.

Once you’ve done that, fit the carpet grippers around the perimeter of the room – except for the doorway – leaving a gap of approximately 6mm between the gripper and skirting board.

After fitting the grippers, roll out your chosen carpet underlay on the floor. The edge of the underlay needs to meet the edge of the carpet gripper before it can be fastened to the floor using a staple gun. We suggest using a good quality adhesive if you’re fitting it to a concrete floor.

Then, all that’s left to do is cut around the doorways or recesses using a utility knife, and trim any excess underlay inside the grippers – ensuring a neat, even finish.

If you wanted to, you could also tape along the joins of the underlay to prevent unwanted bumps and movement.

Whilst a good quality carpet underlay will make your new carpet feel softer and more luxurious underfoot, it can do so much more than that!

When fitted correctly, underlay acts as a shock absorber – protecting your gorgeous carpet against wear and tear. Thanks to its spongy nature, it will prevent the carpet pile from flattening and prolong its lifespan by up to 50%. Meaning you won’t need to buy a new carpet anytime soon.

Another great thing about carpet underlay is that it provides an extra layer of insulation, reducing noise by up to 30% and cutting your energy bills by as much as 15%. So, aside from giving your room a cosier feel, underlay also helps you to save money in the long run.

Get in touch with the team at British Flooring to find out more about the benefits of fitting carpet underlay.