What Are The Advantages Of Installing Underlay With A New Carpet?

Talk to any professional carpet fitter, and they will tell you that the purchase of carpet underlay is essential when buying a new carpet. There are many advantages inherent in using an  underlay, and these benefits need to be considered carefully when buying a new carpet. Some people choose to lay their carpets directly on to the sub floor, however, we would warn against doing this. Below, we are going to explain to you why it is a good idea to use an underlay.

What is Underlay?

It is important that you understand what underlay is, because if you do not know this, then how will you know what to buy? Underlay is simply a thick padding, or cushion, that you lay underneath the carpet.

There are a number of different types of underlay, and these vary in terms of thickness, density and material:

·         Thickness ranges from 5mm to 3cm on average

·         Density is rated in togs, with higher tog ratings offering superior insulation, both in terms of sound and in terms of temperature

·         Material: there are three types of material, felt, foam and rubber. Each of these can then be divided into subtypes, but we do not want to get too technical this early on.

What are the Advantages of Carpet Underlay

There are a number of key advantages:

1.       An underlay will provide the room with good acoustics. It will reduce noise pollution from the outside world, but it will also make the interior of the home quieter too. You can buy special underlays that offer superior acoustic control if this is something that is important to you.

2.       An underlay will create additional comfort. The thicker the underlay, the greater the comfort it will offer. Underlay will make your carpet feel thicker, more luxurious and more comfortable. It will create a springy feeling, and will help to make thicker piles even cosier.

3.       An underlay will make the home more insulated. This means that it will save you money on your household bills—by reducing the amount you spend on heating or on air conditioning – and will reduce your carbon footprint, thereby allowing you to sell your home for a better price, as it will be more energy efficient.

 

Where to Buy Underlay

You will find that there are a number of companies that sell underlay, and consequently, you will discover that the types of underlay sold vary, somewhat, between different retailers.

The best place to buy carpet underlay is on the internet. This is because the pricing structure is far superior. You will get a much better price by shopping online. If you want to see what you are buying before you make the purchase, then go to your local carpet retailer. However, before you make the purchase, return home and check the internet to see if you can find the same underlay at a better price – that is, if budget is a concern to you, some people prefer to shop locally with independent retailers.