What is the best carpet underlay?

Here at Tapi, we think carpets are just amazing. There are so many benefits to choosing carpet for your home – it’s warm, comfortable, and feels great under your feet. But a lot of these great qualities are enhanced by a good underlay and picking the best underlay for your carpet will depend on a lot of different factors.

So, what is the best underlay for your carpet? In this guide, we’ll take you through what carpet underlay is, and what benefits it could have for your carpet, as well as the different types of carpet underlay you could choose between. We’ll also give pros and cons for each to help you decide which underlay will work best for your carpet.

In this guide:

What is carpet underlay?
What are the benefits of carpet underlay?
Types of underlay for carpet
How to choose the best carpet underlay
Best underlay for living room carpet
Best underlay for bedroom carpet
How much does carpet underlay cost?

What is carpet underlay?

Let’s start with some of the easier questions to answer: what is carpet underlay? Well, carpet underlay is a layer of material that sits between your carpet and your subfloor. Every home will have a subfloor, which will be made of either wood, concrete, or another composite material. This is the very base layer of your flooring, and depending on which material it’s made from, it can have different effects on the flooring you choose.

Underlay sits between your subfloor, and whatever flooring you have in your home, creating a shock absorber that can have lots of benefits for your home – it can help to keep heat in, and it also feels great under your feet too. It’s an unsung hero; the support act for your superstar floor. There are lots more benefits below if you'd like to know more about understanding underlay.

What are the benefits of carpet underlay?

Carpet underlay offers numerous benefits, the most notable being its ability to extend the life of your carpet. It acts like a barrier, preventing the pile from flattening while limiting the movement of the carpet, which can lead to stretching, particularly in heavily used areas. Additionally, underlay provides extra cushioning, creating a soft, springy sensation underfoot.

The fabric and quality of the underlay greatly influence its level of protection and comfort. Premium materials can provide exceptional comfort while protecting your carpet from damage and daily use. Thick underlay can aid with soundproofing, reducing noise.

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Types of underlay for carpet

Now, we’re not in the business of identifying the best carpet underlay out of all the different brands and types that are available – after all, what works best for you and your home may be completely different to what your neighbours would like! So, instead, we’ll take you through the pros and cons of each type of underlay so you can make an informed decision about which underlay you think is best for you.

The type of carpet underlay that is best for your flooring will depend entirely on the type of flooring you’re working with, the material that your subfloor is made from, and even the different properties you’d like it to have. For example, some underlays have more thickness to them, making them softer under your feet, and some have a high tog rating, meaning they can keep the heat in your room better. Let’s dive in and find out more.

PU foam

Polyurethane Foam (PU) underlay is made from recycled materials right here in the UK, and it’s one of the most cost-effective underlays that we stock here at Tapi. It’s extremely lightweight, meaning you can move it around easily, so if you’re a keen DIY enthusiast you could fit your underlay - although we always recommend using a professional fitter.

Made from recycled materials
Budget-friendly
Very durable
Great at keeping the heat in thanks to its high tog rating

Sponge rubber

Sponge rubber underlay combines the best of durability and comfort. Sponge rubber underlay is made from synthetic rubber, and this gives comfort and durability meaning it can last for years and years underneath your carpet. It also has flexibility and softness meaning it feels bouncy under your feet and can make your carpet feel extra comfortable.

Durable
Great sound reduction
Improved comfort

Crumb rubber

Crumb rubber is made from recycled car tyres, and it has great durability and sound reduction. Crumb rubber is made from lots of little crumbs of recycled rubber bonded together to create a sheet of material, it’s not as soft as sponge rubber underlay but is extremely durable, and hardwearing and is the ideal choice for heavy traffic areas, such as stairs.

Crumb rubber also does a great job of bouncing back easily, meaning that you’re less likely to suffer from those annoying carpet indentations from your furniture. Check out our carpet care guide for more tips on how to remove those pesky indentations and marks.

Maximises the lifespan of your carpet
Great sound reduction
The best option for carpet protection
Reduces impact marks and indentations
Eco-friendly option

Felt/crumb rubber combo

Combination (felt/rubber) underlay is considered the ‘best of both worlds because it combines the properties of two materials: the felt brings warmth and comfort, and the recycled rubber brings durability and sound reduction.

Offers heavy-duty protection
Dependable sound reduction
Provides protection for your carpet

Underlay made with Nike Grind

Our recycled underlay made with Nike Grind is made with at least 20% Nike Grind foam manufacturing scrap. Available in either a 9mm or 11mm thickness, it’s highly dense and provides luxurious comfort with every step.

Springy feel underfoot
Reduces heat loss
Eco-friendly option
Freshening technology

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How to choose the best carpet underlay

Selecting the best carpet underlay for your space depends on several factors, including your household’s specific needs. For instance, if you have pets or children, it's worth considering an underlay that’s hardwearing and can offer good stain resistance. Likewise, the room where the carpet will be installed can impact your decision. For instance, if it’s a busy space such as the living room, opting for a durable, high-density underlay is essential to ensure long-lasting support.

Choosing the best carpet underlay for your space may also depend on the kind of carpet you choose. For example, dense underlays are ideal for loop pile carpets, as their flat, tight weave can become easily distorted if used with a very soft underlay. Cut pile carpets such as saxony, on the other hand, often work best with a softer underlay. This is because a soft underlay provides a cushioned layer that amplifies the comfort underfoot, making the carpet feel even more luxurious. It’s worth noting that soft underlay may not provide sufficient support in highly walked over areas. This is because the pile of the carpet is essentially compressed against it, increasing wear and tear.

Best underlay for living room carpet

Since the living room is often the main space to kick back and relax in your home, choosing a thick underlay is ideal for creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. A high-quality PU foam underlay is an excellent choice, as it offers superior cushioning, creating a soft and luxurious feel underfoot. It also provides brilliant insulation, keeping your living room warm and comfortable, especially during colder months.

Best underlay for bedroom carpet

Creating a cosy and restful space to sleep in is essential. So, when it comes to bedroom carpets, we’d highly recommend opting for a thick underlay such as PU to place beneath. Not only will its thermal properties help to warm up cold toes during winter mornings, it will also help to reduce the noise, nurturing a comforting environment for a better night’s sleep. For an even more luxurious feel, consider a high-density sponge rubber underlay, which will provide superior support, durability, and warmth.

How much does carpet underlay cost?

Here at Tapi, we like to think we offer some of the best carpet underlays around. The price will vary depending on which type you would like, as well as how much space you want to cover. Our range of underlay covers a variety of budgets, and you can find out more about underlay with our helpful guide, or alternatively, discover the best underlay for laminate.

Why not book a free home appointment to speak with one of our floorologists about which underlay, and carpet options would suit your home best? Or even pop down to your local Tapi store to check out all the samples that we have that might inspire your next big home update!