Investing in a new carpet in 2025?
Great choice!
From improving heat insulation and energy efficiency to providing a soft, comfortable place to sit, play, and work, you’re definitely in for a treat.
If you’ve been shopping around, then you’ll know that a high-quality carpet doesn’t come cheap – and if you want to protect your investment, you’ll also need to pick out an underlay to go with it.
But how do you choose the perfect plus one for your flooring?
Discover everything you need to know when selecting carpet underlay in this blog with our experts at Tradepriced.
Is carpet underlay really necessary?
When buying and laying new carpet, many people believe that carpet underlay is just an optional extra. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Carpet underlay acts as an additional layer, which is placed beneath your new carpet before it’s installed.
Sitting between your subfloor and carpet, it provides a protective, insulating barrier and acts as an excellent shock absorber – which helps your carpet last much longer.
So, how do I choose the perfect underlay for my carpet?
With so many different carpet underlay products on the market, it can be overwhelming when making your final selection.
However, there are a few key things to consider that will help make the decision a little easier, including:
The type of underlay
Just like there is a plethora of carpets to choose from, there is a range of different types of underlay, too.
These include:
- Foam underlay – Most commonly made from PU (polyurethane) foam, this is one of the most versatile carpet underlays. It’s soft, lightweight, and boasts excellent insulation and noise reduction capabilities, making it a fantastic fit for most areas.
- Sponge rubber underlay – As one of the most durable types of underlay, sponge rubber is one of the best choices you can make for your new carpet. It provides unmatched sound reduction, making it a great option for concrete subfloors. It’s also one of the best underlays for underfloor heating, as it allows heat from the underfloor panels to flow into the room efficiently.
- Felt underlay – This traditional underlay provides excellent cushioning, a reasonable level of noise reduction, and warmth. They’re typically made from wool, making them a cost-effective, easy-to-install option.
- Crumb rubber underlay – These sustainable underlays are made from recyclable materials that are densely packed together to provide the ultimate protection for your carpet.
Plushwalk 10mm Carpet Underlay Corner Shot
Tog ratings
Similar to duvets, both carpets and underlays have tog ratings, referring to their ability to retain heat. Generally, the higher the tog rating, the better it will be at insulating your floor.
If you have underfloor heating, you’ll want to choose an underlay with a low tog rating of 0.8 or less, like the ThermalStream Underfloor Heating Carpet Underlay, so that more warmth can pass through.
If you don’t have underfloor heating, you should go for an option with tog rating of 2.5 or higher, like the Plushwalk 10mm or 12mm Carpet Underlay, so the room heats up more effectively and retains that heat for longer.
The carpet you’re placing on top
The type of carpet you choose won’t have a huge impact on the type of underlay you need, but if you’ve opted for something on the thinner side, it’s highly recommended that you choose a thicker underlay.
This will provide the extra cushioning you may need without compromising the style of your carpet.
The subfloor it will sit on
Are you installing carpet to cover a concrete subfloor? Maybe you’re also planning on having underfloor heating fitted?
These factors will heavily influence the type of underlay you need, as you’ll want to opt for something that provides just the right level of insulation, soundproofing, and shock absorbency.
The room where you’re installing your new carpet
Finally, consider: what is the room used for where you’ll be installing your new carpet? How much foot traffic does it endure?
If you’re replacing carpet on your stairs, for example, you’ll need something that provides sufficient noise reduction and can protect your carpet from heavy footfall.
On the flip side, if you’re fitting a new carpet in the spare bedroom that doesn’t get used regularly, you’ll need an underlay that prioritises underfoot comfort and warmth.
Need help choosing the perfect carpet underlay?
Here at Tadepriced, we’re proud to supply a range of high-quality underlays that are the perfect pairing for your new carpet.
From Wilsons Carpet Underlay to Tredaire, Duralay, and more, there are plenty to choose from, so you’re guaranteed to find something that suits your requirements.
Browse our selection online today, or get in touch with our team for more expert advice and recommendations.
