Contrary to popular belief, underlay – be it for carpet or laminate flooring – is more than an optional extra.
From prolonging the life of your flooring to improving the energy efficiency of your home, there are many benefits that come with installing a high-quality underlay.
However, several different types exist to serve different purposes, so choosing the right one is crucial.
In this article, our experts at Tradepriced compare laminate underlay and carpet underlay, highlighting their key differences and benefits to help you select the right product for your project!
What is underlay, and why is it important?
Underlay is an additional layer that sits beneath your subfloor and final flooring.
Typically made from rubber, foam, or felt, underlay is a non-negotiable addition to your project that provides additional comfort, sound and heat insulation, moisture protection, enhances performance, and reduces noise.
Laminate underlay
Laminate flooring underlay is designed to support floating floors, like laminate and engineered wood.
Most commonly made from foam, felt, or rubber, laminate underlay boasts excellent sound reduction and heat insulation capabilities, making it an excellent choice for living and dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms.
Many laminate flooring options also feature a moisture barrier to protect against dampness, meaning it’s also the ideal option for areas that are prone to moisture build-up.
Carpet underlay
Similarly to laminate and other types of underlay, carpet underlay is designed to enhance the underfoot feel and durability of the carpet that sits atop.
However, carpet underlays are generally much thicker than other types of underlays to provide this better cushioning and comfort, and to improve insulation by trapping more air – making it the best option for carpeted areas like halls, stairs, and landings, bedrooms, and living rooms.
There are several high-quality options available, like the Cloud 9 carpet underlay range, that can help you achieve a comfortable, luxurious finish that lasts in your home for decades to come.
Cloud 9 Cumulus 11mm Carpet Underlay Cloud 9 Nimbus 7mm Carpet Underlay
To get the best results for your carpet underlay installation, carpet gripper rods are also an essential piece of kit, securing your carpet in place, preventing movement, and ensuring a smooth, wrinkle-free finish every time.
Key differences between carpet and laminate underlay
There are several differences between carpet and laminate underlay, as highlighted in the table below:
| Feature | Laminate underlay | Carpet underlay |
| Material | Foam, felt, rubber | Rubber, PU foam, felt |
| Thickness | 2-5mm (thinner) | 8-12mm (thicker) |
| Moisture barrier | Yes | No |
| Comfort level | Provides some cushioning | Significantly improves underfoot comfort |
| Best for | Laminate, engineered wood flooring | Carpets only |
Can I use carpet underlay for laminate flooring?
Whilst it may initially seem like a good idea to install a thicket carpet underlay to protect your laminate flooring, it could end up damaging it, and force you to prematurely replace your new floors.
An underlay that’s too thick can cause laminate flooring planks to become unstable, and potentially damage the locking mechanism when you walk over the floors.
So, you should always install an underlay that’s specifically designed to be used with laminate flooring, to avoid this costly damage and make the most of your beautiful flooring for years to come.
Need help choosing the perfect underlay?
No matter if you’re looking for a top-quality carpet laminate underlay, or you need essential tools, like carpet grippers, to expertly install your new flooring, we’ve got just what you need, here at Tradepriced.
Not sure which underlay is best for your project?
Give us a call today on 020 8037 6557, and one of our specialists will be happy to assist you!
