How to choose carpet underlay for your home

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New year, new carpet?

The room has been measured and you’ve (finally) picked out the perfect carpet – but we’ll bet you haven’t given much thought to the underlay.

Are we right?

A decent underlay can make a huge difference in how your carpet looks, feels and wears. It’s also a great shock absorber and can reduce noise from footsteps or moving furniture.

With a fantastic selection of carpet underlays from Cloud 9, Duralay, and Wilsons Plushwalk, to name a few, Carpet Underlay Shop has something to suit every home.

Here is our guide to choosing the right underlay for your new carpet (including some of our top recommendations!).

What type of carpet are you fitting?

Your choice of carpet won’t massively influence the type of underlay required. However, if you’ve opted for a shorter pile height, choosing a thicker underlay, between 10-11mm, will help to add depth.

If you’re after something more luxurious, Plushwalk 12mm is one of our all-time favourites at Carpet Underlay Shop – guaranteed to give your carpet a sumptuous, sinking feeling underfoot.

For loop pile carpets (also known as Berber carpets), a medium-firm 9-10mm underlay should suffice and protect the carpet pile, allowing it to maintain its gorgeous appearance for longer.

What type of floor will it sit on?

Will your brand-new carpet sit directly above a concrete floor that’s notoriously cold?

A sponge rubber underlay like Tredaire Hallmark 9.5mm will create a soft and cushioned feeling, act as a shock absorber to prevent wear and tear, and reduce noise by up to 42db.

If you’re having a new carpet fitted in a room with underfloor heating, PU foam carpet underlays with low thermal resistances (TOG ratings) are the perfect choice.

ThermalStream® will maximise heat transfer throughout your space – ensuring maximum efficiency and comfort, whilst saving you money on your energy bills!

Best carpet underlay for use with underfloor heating

Which room are you placing it in?

Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we provide carpet underlays for almost every room in the home – meaning you should have no problem finding something suitable.

However, it pays to select underlay that suits the purpose of the room in question.

Best carpet underlay for stairs

If you’re recarpeting the stairs in your home, be aware that a thicker underlay can make the installation more challenging.

Plushwalk 10mm is typically the gold standard for staircases – providing a soft feeling underfoot and sitting nice and flush against the grippers.

Best carpet underlay for living rooms

Since the living room is where you’ll spend most of your time relaxing and entertaining guests, a PU foam underlay is arguably the best option – guaranteed to provide a luxurious feel underfoot.

We’ve mentioned it already but Plushwalk 12mm is perfect for living rooms. It features memory foam technology which can resist furniture indentations and prevents your carpet from going flat.

Best carpet underlay available at Carpet Underlay Shop

Best carpet underlay for bedrooms

The best carpet underlays for bedrooms are often thicker and made from PU foam, like the Super 10mm.

Its insulating properties help to warm your toes during the chilly winter months and they can reduce sound by up to 38db – adding to the cosy and restful ambience in your sleeping quarters.

If you’re after a more sophisticated option, Sterling Royale combination underlay is a top choice – providing style and comfort in equal measure. Plus, made from 100% recycled felt and rubber, it’s one of our eco-friendly underlays.

Is soft or firm underlay better?

Whether you should opt for a soft or firm carpet underlay can vary depending on your choice of carpet and the amount of traffic the room it will be fitted in receives.

Firm underlays are typically recommended in high-traffic areas around the home, such as the living room or stairs. Soft underlays, on the other hand, are better in quieter areas like the bedroom or home office.

Unlike soft underlays that prioritise comfort and give carpets a more luxurious feel, firm underlays are more practical. They can protect a carpet from hard subfloors and furniture indentations and prevent stretching and creasing – ensuring your new carpet lasts as long as possible.