Choosing the ideal underlay for a cushy carpet experience beneath your feet

In the world of home renovations, selecting the perfect underlay for your floors can make a significant difference in comfort, durability, and overall aesthetic appeal. With various types of underlay materials available, it's essential to understand the unique properties of each to make an informed decision.

Johanna Constantinou, a Tapi's interior trends expert and Floorologist with over a decade of experience in the industry, offers valuable insights into the underlay market.

Sponge rubber underlays, for instance, provide good support and are ideal for high-traffic areas. Being of a sponge construction, they are full of tiny air pockets which make vacuuming dirt up and out of them easier. Prices for sponge rubber underlays range from roughly £5/m2 to £10/m2.

Crumb rubber underlays, on the other hand, are known for their durability and density. They can help with soundproofing and preventing heavy furniture from leaving indentations in the carpet, making them best reserved for areas of very high traffic, such as stair carpet ideas. However, they tend to be the most expensive, with costs starting from around £6.50/m2.

Recycled PU foam is a popular choice due to its excellent cushioning and insulation properties. Made from recycled foam or offcuts, it is more lightweight than traditional crumb rubber underlays. This makes it a suitable option for areas with heavy foot traffic, as well as for use with underfloor heating.

For those on a budget, thick PU or sponge underlays may suffice for areas with heavy footfall. Alternatively, rubber crumb underlays can be considered, but they come at a higher cost.

When it comes to carpeted floors, it's essential to research the best carpet for pets before shopping for an underlay. A quality underlay can make carpets feel softer and more luxurious, extend their life by reducing wear and tear, and act as a barrier to prevent heat loss.

Acoustic underlays, thicker and designed for soundproofing, are particularly useful in bedrooms and top floor rooms.

It's crucial to consider the type of wood flooring you're working with when choosing an underlay. All types of wood flooring, including solid timber, engineered wood flooring, and laminate, need to be laid on top of underlay, but a different type of underlay is required compared to that used under carpet.

When installing underfloor heating, it's best to choose an underlay with a lower tog rating and one that is suitable for use under UFH.

There are also combination underlays, which are a mix of materials that help balance comfort, insulation, and durability. These hybrid underlays can be a great choice for those seeking a balance between cost and performance.

To choose the best underlay for carpets, consider documents and guides that explain different types of anti-slip carpet underlays, their sizes, materials, and suitability for various floor types like tiles, parquet, or laminate. These documents highlight features like slip resistance, durability, and floor protection to ensure safety and longevity of both carpet and floor.

For natural carpets like sisal or seagrass, wool, felt, and rubber underlays are top choices due to their overall performance.

When laying carpet on a concrete subfloor, an underlay with a built-in DPM vapour barrier is necessary to prevent damp.

The thermal effectiveness of an underlay is measured by its tog rating, and a product should have a tog rating of at least 2.5 to be considered a thermal underlay. Underlays come in various thicknesses, with 8mm being suitable for low-traffic areas, 10mm being a versatile option, and 12mm being ideal for high-traffic areas.

The Volden 10mm Foam Carpet Underlay from B&Q, for example, costs £4.67/m2 and is suitable for areas of high traffic.

Ultimately, the best underlay for your floors depends on a variety of factors, including the type of flooring, the amount of use the room receives, soundproofing and draught proofing needs, and whether there is underfloor heating. By considering these factors and doing thorough research, you can find the perfect underlay to enhance the comfort and longevity of your floors.