While considering the carpet’s colors, patterns, and feel, choosing a carpet underlay for a new room or home can be an exciting experience, how much time do you spend considering the underlay? If you’re like the majority of people, the answer probably won’t be much! Why might something that is kept under the radar be significant? Will the cheapest underlay not suffice? When you learn more about it, you’ll understand why it’s important to know about underlay when picking out a new carpet.

There are a couple of very good reasons why underlay is required:

• When you walk on it, the underlay provides a cushioning effect.
• Compared to carpet alone, carpet underlay provides superior noise insulation.
• In the winter, underlay provides insulation against chilly, bare floors.
• By not grinding your gorgeous new carpet into the bare floor, carpet underlay not only extends the life of your carpet but also saves you money.

Tips for Selecting an Underlayment

• Keep in mind that underlays deteriorate just as quickly as carpets do. Check the condition of the underlay if you are replacing a carpet. It is not cost-effective to install a new, expensive carpet on an old underlay because it will wear out more quickly.

• When shopping for an underlay, don’t put the price first. Instead, choose the best one for your needs. For instance, some of the more expensive rubber waffle underlays offer excellent noise insulation, which is a benefit in an upstairs bedroom that is well worth the additional cost. Before you buy an underlay, try it out if you can. One underlay may be more comfortable underfoot than another, depending on the carpet you choose.

• Yes, you can lay underlay on your own. If you’re installing a cheap carpet in a small room, this is the place to test your DIY carpeting skills because professionals will do a better job anywhere else.

• Before selecting an underlay, consult your supplier if you are thinking about installing an underfloor heating system. There are some underlays made just for this application.

Conclusion

Selecting a carpet underlay may be tempting to reuse the old underlay underneath your existing carpets, but you must avoid doing so. The underlay is also worn out if your carpet looks worn out. The pile surface of the carpet will be protected by the worn-out and flatter underlay that has already been installed in your home. The kind of underlay you need will not be significantly influenced by the carpet you choose. However, if you’ve decided on a thinner carpet, you might want to go with an underlay that’s a little bit thicker. This will give your carpet more cushioning without sacrificing style. If you want to use wool carpets in bedrooms, hallways, or stairwells, felt underlay may be one of the best options. This is because the wool carpet will not flatten out and the felt underlay will provide a high level of comfort underfoot.