How to Choose Carpet Underlay for Commercial Spaces: Factors to Consider for High-Traffic Areas

 Carpet Underlay is an often overlooked flooring 'accessory', but it shouldn't be underestimated. It has many practical and cost-cutting benefits that improve the lifespan of a carpet and makes your home more comfortable, warmer and quieter. You won't see it, but a good underlay protects the carpet pile, helps keep it even and soft, and acts as a shock absorber. It also reduces noise transfer, aids heat conservation and makes cleaning your floor easier.

Material placed between the subfloor

Carpet underlay is a layer of material placed between the subfloor and your new or existing carpeting. It comes in a wide range of types, each with different properties and suitable for specific rooms and purposes. For example, if you're re-carpeting your stairs, you may want to consider underlay that is hard-wearing and resistant to furniture impressions, whereas a lounge might benefit from an underlay that offers warmth and comfort.

The choice of underlay is as important as the choice of carpet itself, and a professional retailer will be able to advise you on what underlay is best for your requirements. They will discuss your priorities in terms of comfort, acoustics and heat conservation and then suggest an underlay that matches these needs. They will also advise on whether your carpet requires underlay at all, or whether it can be used with standard felt or foam underlay.

Soft, flexible material

Generally, carpet underlay is a soft, flexible material which adds cushioning and comfort underfoot and reduces the impact of footsteps and heavy furniture on the subfloor and the carpet pile. It is available in a wide variety of thicknesses and densities, to suit all budgets and requirements, including thermal properties that can save energy, and sound insulation.

Very dense and hard-wearing

There are several different types of underlay, made from materials such as sponge rubber, crumb rubber (recycled car tyres), wool felt and hessian. Sponge rubber is very soft, but can flatten over time, while crumb rubber is very dense and hard-wearing, with excellent sound reduction qualities. Felt underlay is traditional and offers warmth, while specialist underlay with thermal insulation can help to save energy, and there are also underlays that are suitable for use under carpets with underfloor heating.

Conclusion

The most common type of Carpet Underlay is PU foam, which has become the UK's favourite because it's light to handle and easy to cut, whilst being inexpensive. It is also 85% recycled and is a great choice if you're looking to be environmentally friendly, as well as adding warmth underfoot and improving the acoustics and durability of your carpet. However, some people prefer a thicker, more traditional felt underlay, which is more durable and feels like a natural product underfoot. It's a great option for high-traffic areas and can be used in conjunction with underfloor heating. There is also a bio-degradable carpet underlay called Renu, which is made from recycled materials and is eco-friendly as well as providing a high level of comfort and performance. It can be used with any type of carpet and is available in a range of thicknesses and densities.