Our recommended insulating underlays
The key to energy efficiency is under your feet
Want to improve the energy efficiency of your home?
Forget about fancy heat pumps and expensive cavity wall insulation.
You just need some underlay.
That’s right. That hidden layer that you put between your carpet and the subfloor? Providing you choose wisely, it could make a significant difference to the warmth and cosiness of your home, whilst also potentially reducing your gas and electric bill.
Here we explore the insulating power of carpet underlay in a little more detail.
Read on to learn more, then start prepping for the winter months (because let’s face it, did we even have a summer this year?) and invest in one of our recommended thermal underlays.
Carpet underlay as insulation – how does it work?
You might have super-efficient triple glazed windows, draught excluders at every doorstep and the highest quality loft insulation. But when you crank up the heating, approximately 15% of the heat in your room will still be lost via the floor – particularly if it’s at ground level.
It may not sound like much, but the waste in terms of energy (and money!) can soon add up.
Laying a thick, fluffy carpet can help to reduce this loss, particularly if it’s made from wool. But very few people consider the role of their carpet underlay in keeping their house warm. Which is a shame, because it can make a huge difference!
Underlay is made from millions of tiny fibres. Naturally insulating, these fibres not only trap any cold air that is travelling up from the floor, but they also create an effective barrier between the carpet and the subfloor – therefore reducing the amount of heat that can escape that way.
No matter which product you choose, by adding this extra layer of insulation, you will automatically make the room a little warmer. However, some underlays are specifically designed to provide superior thermal insulation and create a cosier feel.
Generally speaking, these insulating underlays all share three key traits:
1. They have a high TOG rating
Just like a duvet, carpet underlay has a TOG rating.
This is a measurement of its heat insulation properties. To make a real difference to energy efficiency, you’ll need to invest in one with a TOG rating of at least 2.5 (preferably higher!).
2. They’re thick
It makes perfect sense. The thicker the carpet underlay is, the more thermal insulation it will provide. To have a real impact on the energy efficiency of your room (and feel the difference in terms of warmth), you’ll need to buy a product that measures at least 10-11mm thick.
3. They’re made from PU or wool felt
These materials are naturally good insulators. As such, any underlay that is manufactured from these will automatically improve the thermal insulation and energy efficiency of your home.
Thanks to their design, some lightweight PU (polyurethane foam) underlays are also able to trap small pockets of air – which further enhances insulation and boosts their thermal rating.
So which thermal carpet underlay should you buy?
Our top three recommendations currently include:
1. Wilsons Plushwalk 12mm Carpet Underlay – available from £6.99 per m2
This is by far the best thermal underlay for carpet.
Made from a ‘bounce back’ memory foam – which is a natural insulator – and measuring 12mm thick, Plushwalk 12mm is a luxury product that offers a remarkable level of insulation.
It boasts an impressive TOG of 3.5; a rating that far exceeds the recommended TOG rating of 2.5 and is unrivalled by any other PU product on the market. Plus, it has an integrated damp-proof membrane, which stops rising moisture in its tracks and adds to its insulating properties. Making it a highly worthwhile choice for anyone looking to improve energy efficiency.
But more than this, it also provides superior acoustic insulation (reducing noise by 49db), has a mighty 5++ comfort rating and is exceptionally durable. Which is why, for pretty much all home-based projects, it’s always the no.1 recommendation – in our opinion, impossible to beat.
2. Cloud 9 Cumulus 11mm Carpet Underlay – available from £4.99 per m2
Plushwalk 12mm may be the leading choice, but it’s followed very closely by Cloud 9 Cumulus. A well-known and respected underlay in the flooring industry, particularly for thermal insulation.
Manufactured from mixed PU foam, this measures 11mm thick and benefits from an outstanding 3.1 TOG. As a result of these features, it has an impressive 5* thermal rating.
True, it doesn’t have an integrated damp-proof membrane, and it doesn’t feel quite as luxurious underfoot as Plushwalk12mm. But it still offers excellent levels of comfort and will certainly go a long way in making your home warmer, cosier and more energy efficient.
A fantastic cost-effective option that could help to reduce your bills.
3. 56oZ luxury wool carpet underlay – available from £4 per m2
Due to the natural properties of wool, wool carpet underlay is particularly good at retaining heat, and is a savvy option if you’d like to improve insulation and keep energy bills to a minimum.
It comes in three weights, each with its own merits. But if you’re looking to maximise thermal insulation, we’d recommend opting for 56oZ. This measures 15mm thick, has an incredibly high TOG rating of 3.6 and excels in terms of its underfoot comfort and long-term durability.
Despite these outstanding qualities, wool underlay is actually one of the cheapest types available. And for bonus points? It’s made from upcycled waste materials and is eco-friendly.
Want to learn more about thermal underlay?
With energy rates at an all-time high and autumn-winter on the way, now could be the perfect time to invest in an insulating underlay and ramp up your property’s energy efficiency.
Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we have a comprehensive range of thermal carpet underlay to choose from – including the top three recommendations highlighted above, plus several others that have a high thermal rating and will make a notable difference to the warmth of your home.
Our team are always on hand to help.
So if you have any questions about insulating carpet underlay, or wish to discuss your requirements in detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either give us a call on 0203 887 0994 or send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop-co.uk and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Further useful information on this topic can also be found in a few of our previous blogs, including ‘Thermal underlay – can it improve the efficiency of your home?’ and ‘Underlay – a hidden way to cut energy bills’. So it’s worth checking these out!
- Alex Illidge
