How to Choose the Best Carpet Underlay for Your Home
Learn how to choose the best carpet underlay for your home. Discover tips on selecting the right material and thickness to enhance comfort, insulation, and carpet longevity.
You’re ready to buy a new carpet, or you’ve already chosen one – lush, soft and warm under your feet. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But do you know what lies under your gorgeous new carpet? Yes, that’s right – carpet underlay. It’s the secret of a truly comfortable floor. And just like with the actual carpet itself, you’ll have quite a few options to choose from. Don’t worry, though! We’ll help you navigate through the whole carpet underlay situation in the most comfortable way possible.
So, Why All the Fuss about Underlay?
To begin with, why do you even need a carpet underlay in the first place? Isn’t the carpet supposed to do its job by itself? Not quite actually. Underlay is like the peanut butter to carpet’s jelly. Jelly on its own is tasty, but combine it with peanut butter and you get a perfect sandwich. Here’s what underlay does for you:
Comfort: It helps your carpet to be softer and more pleasant to the touch.
Insulation: Helps your house feel warmer during winter and cooler during summer.
Soundproofing: Absorbs the sound, making the room quieter.
Durability: Helps your carpet last longer by damping the wear and tear.
Carpet Underlay Types
Okay, now let’s move to the practical part. There are quite a few underlay types on the market and each of them has its own advantages and drawbacks. Here’s what you get:
Foam Underlay
Foam underlay is probably the most versatile type. It’s easy to work with, light and in most cases – budget-friendly. There are several foam underlay types, including:
PU (Polyurethane) Foam: The most common type. Made from recycled materials, so it’s friendly to the environment. Also, provides comfort and insulation.
Memory Foam: Similar to the memory foam in those fancy new mattresses, it moulds under your feet. Very comfortable, but quite expensive.
Rubber Foam: Heavy and dense rubber foam underlay is excellent for heavy traffic. On the downside, it’s heavy and expensive.
Rubber Underlay
Rubber underlay types are quite heavy to work with. They’re extremely durable, though, and provide great insulation and soundproofing. There are two of them:
Sponge Rubber: softer felt to walk on. Great for comfort. All-around type, but can be expensive.
Crumb Rubber: recycled particles from used car tires. Crumb rubber is very durable and dense. Excellent for areas with heavy traffic, like halls and stairs.
Felt Underlay
Although it sounds quite antiquated, felt underlay is still a viable option. It’s made from recycled fibre, so it’s friendly to the environment. Also provides insulation and soundproofing. Not as comfortable as the foam, but felt underlay is good if you want to add some extra strength to your carpet.
Combination Underlay
Why choose, when you can have a little from everything. Combination underlay types combine two or more materials to give you the best of all of them. A foam and felt combination, for example, provides comfort and durability.
Factors to Consider when Buying Underlay
Okay, now that you know the basics, here’s a short list of things to consider when choosing an underlay. And when you’re done reading, take a look at the Traffilay System from QA Flooring Solutions. They understand that choosing the right underlay doesn’t always seem like a straightforward task.
1. Type of Room
Where exactly are you planning to put your new carpet and underlay? Every room requires something different.
Living Room: Comfy and cosy, like PU foam.
Bedroom: Memory foam underlay will make your mornings nicer.
Hallway/Stairs: Crumb rubber or dense foam underlay are best for the purpose.
2. Type of Carpet
This one’s a biggie. What kind of carpet have you decided on? Thick, lush carpet doesn’t need as much padding as a thin one, so you might want to choose a softer underlay for the latter.
3. Budget
Yeah, this one’s important. How much are you willing to spend on an underlay? It comes in various price ranges, so it’s up to you to decide. Just remember, underlay is an investment. A small additional cost to you today can save you some money down the road, by prolonging the life of your carpet.
4. Durability
How much traffic can you expect? A lot of people walking, running, jumping on your carpet? Then you need a more durable underlay, like felt or rubber. Low traffic? Go with something softer and less dense.
5. Insulation and Soundproofing
Are you planning to live in a quiet (or not so quiet) area? Is your house chilly during the winter? Then you might want to consider underlay that provides good insulation and soundproofing. Rubber and felt underlays are usually a better choice, in this case.
Installing Carpet Underlay
Okay, you’ve decided on the type of underlay you want. Now, how do you actually put it under the carpet? Well, you’ve got two choices here – you can either do it yourself or hire a professional.
DIY Installation
If you’re the handy type, here’s a short, easy as pie, installation guide for you:
Prepare the Floor: clean, dry and smooth. Also, remove any remaining staples or nails from the previous underlay.
Unroll the Underlay: do it in the same direction as you’ll be laying the carpet. Then cut it to fit, leaving about an inch around the edges.
Fix the Underlay: use a staple gun or tape to secure the underlay to the floor. Make sure it’s tight and there are no lumps or wrinkles.
Hiring a Pro
If the whole process seems too much for you, don’t worry! You can always leave it to a professional. It will save you both time and effort, and you can be sure the job will be done perfectly. Also, many carpet retailers offer installation service, if you buy the carpet and underlay from them.
Maintaining Your Underlay
You’ve installed the underlay and now you want to preserve it, for as long as possible. Here are some helpful tips:
– Vacuum Often: a clean carpet protects the underlay from dirt.
– Blot Spills: don’t let them drop through the carpet and damage the underlay. Act quickly and blot the spill to prevent any further damage.
– Inspect for Wear and Tear: if you feel lumps and bumps on the surface, check the underlay for this. It might need replacement or at least adjustment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even now, when you know almost everything about underlay, there are several mistakes people commonly make. Here they are:
– Going Too Cheap: cheaper underlay doesn’t last as long as the higher quality one. So, in the long run, you’ll end up spending more.
– Ignoring Room Needs: every room is different, so the underlay should be chosen accordingly. Some underlay types are better for low, and some for high traffic.
– Improper Installation: whether you’re doing the job yourself, or hiring a professional, make sure the underlay is installed correctly. Improperly laid underlay can cause many problems in the future.
FAQs About Carpet Underlay_Tis all good, now we’re almost done. Let’s answer a few questions people ask often.
Q: How thick should my underlay be?
A: Generally, thicker underlays (around 11mm) are great for comfort in low-traffic areas like bedrooms, while thinner underlays (around 8-9mm) are better for high-traffic areas.
Q: Can I use the same underlay with different floor coverings?
A: No! Carpet underlay is designed to be used with carpet. Other floor coverings such as laminate or vinyl will need different underlay.
Q: How long will carpet underlay last?
A: Underlay can last 25 years, depending on the quality and footfall it encounters.
Q: Is underlay always used with carpet?
A: No. Although not strictly required, underlay greatly enhances comfort, warmth and the life of your carpet. It’s usually not worth skipping.
Conclusion
Selecting the best carpet underlay may be the most overlooked decision you make for your home. Taking the time to consider the room, carpet type, budget, insulation and sound reduction requirements will help you choose the ideal underlay to work with your new carpet. Whether you choose foam, rubber, felt or dual layer, remember that a small investment can have a huge return in the years to come.