Do I Really Need to Install Carpet Underlay?

Installing carpets along with other home renovations can be expensive. As professional carpet suppliers and installers, we know all too well how tempting it can be to cut corners, and try to save on renovation costs.

Installing underlay will increase both your supply and installation costs. However, that doesn’t mean that skipping the underlay is something that we would recommend.

In this blog, we’ll explore whether it’s necessary to install underlay, what the benefits are, and what type of underlay you should install.

What is the purpose and benefits of installing underlay?

Underlay as you might have guessed, is a material that you lay on the floor prior to installing a carpet.

When fitting your desired carpet, we always recommend having an underlay. Carpet and underlay deteriorate at roughly the same rate, so if you are replacing your carpet you should usually replace your underlay alongside it.

There are a number of reasons and benefits that we recommend fitting underlay, and these include:

Increased comfort
Improves flooring insulation
Helps increase the expected lifespan of the carpet
Reduces noise

Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail…

1. Does underlay increase carpet comfort and appearance?

One of the main reasons that people choose carpet over flooring is due to the fact that it’s more comfortable.

Installing thick and dense underlay helps to absorb the impact when you are walking. This makes the floor more comfortable and also helps to prevent the pile from flattening, keeping your carpet looking newer for longer.

Related content:

Carpet vs flooring: which is best?

2. Does underlay improve insulation?

Renovations that improve energy efficiency are very important. Especially as we know that homes contribute almost 40% of the UKs carbon emissions.

One of the ways that you can increase the energy efficiency of your home is to ensure insulation is up to scratch. And underlay is one thing that can help with this – depending on it’s thickness and density.

Not only will you know that you are helping the environment, but you can also decrease your energy bills.

3. Does underlay help to extend the life of your carpet?

Installing carpet can be an expensive undertaking. So you want to make sure that when you do it, you maintain it, in order to extend its lifespan for as long as possible.

Underlay can help act as a shock absorber, which will help to prevent wear and tear. It will also help to absorb any moisture that might be present in the underfloor. This can help prolong the life of your carpet by up to 50%.

Related content: How much does it cost to install a carpet?

4. Does underlay help to reduce noise?

Who doesn’t want a quieter home?

Underlay is an effective and simple way to reduce the noise in your home. It’s a great choice for upstairs rooms, or if you have downstairs neighbours.

It can help to reduce noise by up to 30%. The thicker and denser the underlay, the more the noise will be insulated.

How much does carpet underlay cost?

Carpet underlay will add money onto your carpet costs. But hopefully, based on the above, you will agree that it’s an expense that will help save you money, maintain your carpet, and increase its lifetime.

How much carpet underlay costs will depend on where you buy it from and who you choose to install it. However, underlay will usually range between £3 and £14 per square metre industry wide.

The thicker and denser your underlay, the more benefits you will experience. This will often come with a higher price tag. But it’s something that we feel is worth investing in.

What type of carpet underlay should you install?

There are a number of different qualities and ranges of underlay to suit your budget and requirements. The most common types of carpet underlay are:

PU Foam
Felt / Wool Felt
Rubber / Crumb Rubber

As standard, we fit the Powerwalk Silver 9mm, which is a type of foam underlay. It has great thermal and acoustic deafening properties and is suitable for any area in your home. However, we have other options available if this doesn’t fit your needs or budget.

Summary: Should you install underlay?

In short, yes!

We always recommend that you install underlay under your carpet. It has a multitude of benefits including improving the look and feel of your carpet, increased comfort levels, reducing noise, increasing energy efficiency and improving the lifespan of your carpet.

If you are looking to install your carpet, or underlay then get in touch with us and see how we can help you find your dream carpet for your home.

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