Underlay

Underlay FAQ's

Carpet underlay is often an overlooked accessory when it comes to choosing new flooring, but it’s a great addition to help prolong the lifespan of your new carpet, vinyl flooring or laminate flooring. Underlay is a thin layer of cushioning laid under the flooring to provide added comfort underfoot, reduce the wear on the flooring, as well as helping to provide insulation against sound, moisture and heat. The benefits of underlay for carpets are endless and can even lead to lower energy bills for your home, with the added insulation underlay provides.
Underlay for carpets is generally made of cushioning materials such as sponge rubber, foam or felt. In recent years, more eco-friendly underlay options have become available using materials such as recycled plastic bottles that would have previously gone to landfill to create underlay for carpet or flooring.
It is recommended that whenever you change your carpet, you should also replace your carpet underlay to ensure you can enjoy the benefits of your new carpet for many years to come. Underlay can last up to 25 years, but overtime will become less effective. If you notice any flat or hard areas of your carpet, then it’s probably time to look at replacing your carpet underlay.
Absolutely! Underlay can be used for carpets, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring. Always be sure to check the underlay is suitable for your chosen flooring as different flooring types have different needs.
When choosing a new carpet for stairs, you also need to take into consideration a good quality underlay. Stairs are a high traffic area with heavy footfall, so you want to ensure your carpet underlay provides a good level of cushioning to absorb noise and prolong the wear of your carpet. A 9mm carpet underlay is recommended for stairs as it provides a high level of cushioning without being too tricky to fit.