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.
Sponge rubber underlay – Sponge rubber underlay is very durable and great for sound reduction which makes it one of the best carpet underlays for concrete floors. It's also the best carpet underlay for underfloor heating as it allows heat from the underfloor panels to escape into the room efficiently.
Your choice of carpet won't have a huge amount of influence on the type of underlay you need. However, if you've opted for a carpet with a shorter pile height, you may want to add depth by choosing a slightly thicker underlay. This will provide extra cushioning without compromising on the style of your carpet.
For a typical home we'd recommend a density rating above 100 kg/m³. This will ensure your underlay outlasts your carpet but still provides that comfortable, plush feeling when walking on it.
Most carpets call for 7/16-inch padding. Choose stiff, stable padding with a thickness of 3/8-inch or less for a low-pile carpet. This includes Berbers, loop pattern carpets and commercial options.
Bonded Urethane: This carpet cushion is also called rebond and is the most popular type of carpet padding sold today.
On the other hand, a 10 LB carpet pad is very durable but will feel firm underfoot. An 8 LB pad is an excellent middle ground between the two options. While there are many different brands, many 8 LB carpet pads generally offer these similar features: Made from 100% recycled fibers and 100% recyclable.
Bedrooms & Low-traffic areas: Consider a density rating around 3000-4000 for a balance of durability and cost-effectiveness. Living Rooms & Hallways: Aim for 4000-5000 density or higher for maximum resilience in high-traffic zones.
A quality pad will make the carpet feel softer and cushioned to sit on, lie, and play. The pad also offers thermal insulation, providing an extra layer between the cold floor and carpet to keep the home warmer.
Medium pile – 7mm to 13mm
Medium pile carpets are the Goldilocks of the carpet world. Being able to be soft and hardwearing.
Ball & Young supply underlay from 3mm all the way through to 11mm; the thicker the product, the more travel of compression there is, which makes the product feel more comfortable and gives better heat insulation.
But it's important to bear in mind, Cloud 9 underlay is a much cheaper alternative – starting from just £4.82 per m2 (compared to £6.99 per m2 for Plushwalk). Made by award-winning manufacturers, Ball & Young Ltd, it's of good quality and complies with all UK safety standards.
Good quality underlay will prevent premature wearing and keep your floor looking new for longer. As the underlay acts as a shock absorber, your flooring or carpet will sit better and take more wear. The best type of carpet underlay will reduce your energy bills as it will keep the heat in your room.
Grade 3: High-End Residential Grade
If you are looking for a carpet that offers superior quality and luxury, high-end residential grade carpeting may be the right choice for you. This grade of carpeting is made from top-quality fibers like nylon or wool, which provide exceptional durability and comfort.
The price of carpet underlay is calculated per m2 and – dependent on the supplier and the quality of the product – you can expect to pay anywhere between £2-£8. The more luxurious the underlay, and the better its overall performance, the more it will cost.
Synthetic Chemicals
Most carpet is made from synthetic fibers, usually nylon and polypropylene. Both materials are made from non-renewable petroleum and emit harmful VOCs into the air.
Most residential carpet requires a pad that is between 3/8 of an inch and 7/16 of an inch thick with a minimum 6-pound density rating.
The more fibers, the heavier the weight and the better the carpet quality. Density: The number of fibers in a pile. The more fibers, the denser the pile, and the higher the carpet quality. Height: The length of the wear layer of the carpet, measured from the top of the pile to the top of the backing.
A thick underlay, between 11 and 12mm, will give your carpet a cushioned, soft feel. However, a thinner underlay on the stairs may be easier to install. 9mm is ideal.
So, when deciding which carpet underlay – rubber or foam – remember that rubber will last longer, and offer greater impact resistance, but PU foam will be softer, warmer, quieter, and cheaper.
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.
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors, such as the intended use of the carpet and the amount of traffic it will endure. That said, a face weight of over 40 ounces is generally considered to be best for durability.
Underlay creates a barrier between the carpet and the floor, therefore it eliminates any coldness from making its way through to the room. Underlay helps to reduce noise caused by the feet walking across the floor. This is especially useful when being laid on an upper floor of the home.
Just like memory foam mattresses, memory foam carpet pads are supremely soft and feel amazing to walk on. However, this option has its limits: memory foam will not perform well under high-traffic situations, and stretching the carpet backing will damage the actual carpet over time.