When it comes to perfecting the interior design of your home or commercial space, the flooring plays a pivotal role. And central to the flooring selection is the unsung hero – the underlay. While the carpet may steal the limelight with its texture, pattern, and colour, the underlay quietly lays the foundation for a durable and comfortable flooring experience. As a leading supplier of commercial and domestic flooring across London, Kent, and Surrey, Cherry Carpets offers a wide range of top-quality carpets and underlays. We not only supply the best products in the market but also guide you in your journey to make the right underlay choice for your carpets.
The Carpet Underlay Fundamentals
Before diving into the selection process, let’s first understand what underlay is and why it’s so crucial. An underlay, essentially a layer of padding, is placed beneath your flooring, providing cushioning and protection that enhances the performance of your new flooring. It may not be the most glamorous part of carpeting, but it’s definitely a necessary one. A high-quality underlay will reduce noise, retain heat, and extend the lifespan of your carpet. It’s akin to a shock absorber for your carpet, absorbing impact and thus preventing premature wear and tear.
Benefits of a Well-Chosen Carpet Underlay
Comfort Maximization
The right underlay can significantly augment the comfort level of your carpet, making your step feel springy and luxurious. It acts as an additional cushioning layer underfoot, transforming every walk into a premium experience.
Floor Protection and Longevity
A good quality underlay acts as a protective shield for your new floor. It absorbs the impact of foot traffic, reducing the strain on your carpet and helping it maintain its appearance for a longer duration.
Promoting Sustainability
Cherry Carpets primarily uses underlays made from recycled Polyurethane (PU) foam, responsibly and ethically sourced. These underlays are not only high quality but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Carpet Underlay Energy Efficiency
An underlay with a high tog rating can act as an extra layer of insulation, preventing warm air from escaping through your floors. This can increase heating efficiency in your home and help reduce your energy bills.
Acoustic Insulation
A decent underlay can reduce the noise in a room by up to 30%, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful environment. For those living in apartment blocks or shared spaces, using the right underlay can make a significant difference in sound insulation.
The PU Underlay – A Popular Choice
PU or Polyurethane underlay is a kind of foam underlay. It’s made from leftover PU foam that was previously destined for landfill but is now repurposed into carpet underlay. The primary differentiating factors among various underlays are their quality, thickness, and density.
Carpet Underlay Quality
Our main supplier Ball & Young are renowned for their superior quality underlays, including the award-winning Cloud 9 underlays. All of Ball & Young’s underlays pass the British Standards BS EN 14499:2015, attesting to their high standards.
Thickness
The thickness of an underlay can range from 3mm to 11mm. A thicker underlay provides more compression travel, enhancing the underfoot comfort and heat insulation.
Density
Underlays also vary in terms of their density. Density, measured in Kg/m3, refers to the firmness or softness of a product. The density of the underlay you choose can greatly affect both the feel and the wear of your new flooring.
Choosing the Carpet Right Underlay – Factors to Consider
When choosing an underlay, it’s essential to take into account several factors, such as the type of carpet, the type of floor it will sit on, and the room where it will be placed.
Type of Carpet
The type of carpet you’re installing can influence your underlay choice. For instance, a thinner carpet may require a thicker underlay for additional cushioning.
Type of Floor
The type of floor your carpet will sit on also matters. For instance, if the carpet is going on top of a concrete floor or a room with underfloor heating, you’ll need an underlay that provides the correct level of insulation, soundproofing, and shock absorbency.
Room Type
You should also consider the purpose of the room. If you’re carpeting a bedroom, you’ll want an underlay that cuts out noise and insulates well. For a staircase, you’ll need an underlay that’s versatile and easy to install on difficult surfaces.
Cherry Carpets Carpet Underlay – Your Trusted Partner in Flooring Solutions
At Cherry Carpets, we offer a diverse range of flooring solutions, from wool twist carpets to luxury vinyl tiles such as Moduleo, Amtico and Karndean, real and engineered wood flooring, cushioned vinyl’s, linoleum and safety flooring. We also offer bespoke services such as whipping, stair runners, binding, taping and blind stitching.
We’re not just about supplying products. We take pride in our fitting service, ensuring your flooring is installed by skilled craftsmen. A poor installation can lead to uneven surfaces and unsightly bumps, but with Cherry Carpets, you’ll receive a fitting service done by experienced fitters who are the best in the business.
If you need help choosing the right underlay for your carpets in Bromley, Croydon, Kent, or any part of South East, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is always ready to guide you through the process and help you make the best choice for your flooring needs. Call now for a free quotation or to schedule a free home sample service.