Pros of good underlay
Good underlay will…
- Improve underfoot comfort
- Increase appearance retention, reducing flattening.
- Absorb the pressure of foot traffic and reduce wear.
- Improve thermal insulation and warmth.
- Increase sound insulation
- Smooth out sub floor imperfections.
- Last the lifetime of the carpet.
Cons of old underlay
Old underlay will…
- Feel hard and unwelcoming.
- Reduce carpet life.
- Cause carpet fibre to break down more quickly.
- Cause wrinkling and premature wear spots.
- Not meet British standards.
The different types of underlay...
The market’s most popular underlay is available in flat or waffle patterns in a wide range of weights for different applications. It performs well for comfort and has a durable spring retention.
PU (polyurethane) foam
PU foam is a relative newcomer to the market, typically made from recycled foam offcuts. The foam provides excellent comfort and performance levels with lots of thickness options and densities – and its light weight helps handling. The product can be recycled again after use.
A rubber crumb base with a felt top layer offers a good combination of protection, durability and comfort. It also allows carpet with seaming to bed into the top felt.
Underfloor heating underlay
Always ask if there is underfloor heating. Most manufacturers offer specialised products. Underlay and carpet with a combined tog rating up to 2.5 can be used – which means the underlay would normally have a tog rating of 1.0.
A good insulation is pointless without a matching carpet.
There’s a variety of different carpets available to buy for your home, the one you choose depends on your needs, but one thing is for certain – nothing compares to the luxurious feeling of a carpet under your feet.
Why not discuss this with us further?
