Flooring

What underlay should I use?

There are many different types of underlay available nowadays. We recommend you use the heaviest possible underlay relevant to your usage. Your retailer will be able to show you a range of underlays and explain the difference between them. Generally the thicker the underlay the more luxurious the carpet will feel underfoot.

However, the resilience of the underlay is also crucial in that it is no good being thick if the underlay flattens quickly in use.

There are a number of branded underlays on the market and your retailer may well stock some if not all of these. Remember underlay is essential to carpets in a number of ways

• It helps the carpet resist dynamic forces and assists in making the carpet more resilient, more springy underfoot.
• It helps insulate the floor reducing cold ingress and heat retention
• It helps reduce the impact of any subfloor imperfections on the look and wear characteristics of the carpet.
• It will help prolong the life expectancy of a carpet.

There are 4 types of underlay recognized under BS 5325. These are:
Felt usually made of fibres entangled or matted together. This is the traditional underlay that has been in use for many years. It tends to suffer from some natural settling over time and use.

Cellular formed essentially of a rubber or other polymeric foam. These are popular and have the advantage of lightness although the cheaper varieties will sag under heavy use. If this type is to be used it must be of good quality.

Composite Underlay composed of both fibrous and polymeric material.
Rubber crumb underlay composed of crumb rubber and often made from recycled car tyres
We do not recommend re-using existing underlay. A pre-used underlay may look unharmed but it will perform less well in protecting your carpet from wear and tear.

Not all flooring types require underlay of course. Studded rubber tiles are best adhered onto a clean, dry solid surface.

Tags: floor tiles, Flooring, underlay