Underlay from Cloud 9 is in many people's opinion the original brand leader. Their underlay is manufactured from recycled materials and guaranteed to last for the lifetime of the initial carpet installation.
Ball & Young, the manufacturer of the extremely popular Cloud 9 underlay brand, guarantees its products for the lifetime of the initial carpet installation when used in recommended areas.
Underlay can last anywhere between 5 and 20 years. Foam and Felt underlay can last up to 8-12 years. However, if foam underlay isn't properly installed or maintained, it lasts only 5 years. Acoustic and rubber underlay have the longest lifespan, lasting 10-20 years.
If something doesn't feel quite right when you walk over it, it's highly likely that the underlay is wearing out and needs replacing. There may be spots that feel flat, lumps and visible signs of damage, or perhaps you can feel the hard floor beneath as you walk across in your stocking feet.
Cloud 9 underlays are renowned for their excellent durability and thickness, which provides a cushion between the harsh subfloor and carpet.
Thicker underlay will last better than thinner underlay as it will take longer to flatten down. Underlay will wear down quicker in rooms where there's a higher footfall. Moisture and heat will also have an impact on the life of your underlay.
A cloth single sided tape is best, but a budget priced tape will often suffice. Which way up do I lay the underlay? If there is a printed side, then this is usually laid uppermost. If there is no printing, but one side is relatively plain and the other side coloured, it is usually the plain side uppermost.
When Can You Reuse Your Carpet Underlay? There are specific scenarios where reusing your underlay might be suitable: Age of the Underlay: If your underlay is relatively new (around 1-2 years old) and in excellent condition, reusing it can be an option. However, most underlays have a lifespan of around 10 years.
Generally, quality underlay can last anywhere from 8 to 20 years, but various signs might indicate when it's time to replace the underlay, especially in high-traffic areas where wear and tear are more pronounced, such as staircases or commercial spaces.
The cost of fitting underlay ranges from £8 - £12 per m² (for the underlay and installation) and, again, depends on the quality and quantity of the carpet being fitted, as well as property location and access.
So generally speaking 7mm is about as thin as you want to go unless you have a specialist need for something thinner, but 8-12mm is the band most manufacturers produce carpet underlay with and its perfect for any room and any carpet.
The average lifespan of carpeting, depending on its quality, amount of traffic, pets, and number of children, among other factors, is about 5 to 15 years. Wear, increased allergy symptoms, dormant stains, discoloration, and odors are signs that you need to replace your carpet.
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.
Cloud 9 Super Contract (10mm) is suitable for both domestic and contract installations. Made from 160kg of foam per cubic metre, this Cloud 9 underlay provides unrivalled comfort and durability, while its 10mm thickness ensures excellent noise reduction and heat insulating properties.
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.
That's why, for most projects, we typically recommend the Plushwalk 12mm Carpet Underlay. This is the best thermal carpet underlay to date. It boasts an exceptionally high TOG rating of 3.5 and benefits from a 12mm thick, memory foam construction. It will make a huge difference to the temperature of the room.
Synthetic underlayment is made of tough materials that effectively resist water and UV rays. Its textured surface provides improved traction for roofers, making it safer to work on sloped roofs, especially in wet or icy conditions. Estimated lifespan: 20 to 35 years.
Underlay should be replaced every 5 to 10 years, but this can vary based on quality and usage.
If your carpet is looking worn out, then so is the underlay. Old underlay will already be flatter and worn out, unable to cushion the everyday footfall throughout your home and protect the pile surface of the carpet.
Some carpet underlays re-used hessian bags that contained friable asbestos. The asbestos in the underlay may be friable. Glues and adhesives used on carpet underlay may have contained non-friable asbestos. Other types of carpet underlay, like rubber and foam, do not contain asbestos.
Often, your carpet underlay will hold most of the water. This is the main area you want to dry. To make sure you get a thorough drying process, lift the carpet and inspect your underlay, if it is saturated, it may need to be replaced.
Why choose Cloud 9 carpet underlay? Thanks to its unique properties, Cloud 9 carpet underlay was deemed the best carpet underlay from 2008 – 2016. Since then, the industry has advanced and – nine times out of ten – we would now recommend the Plushwalk 12mm underlay instead.
The underlay should be laid foil side down (essential to ensure maximum resistance to moisture from the subfloor) allowing a 5cm excess of underlay to run up the perimeter wall. Each roll of underlay should be closely butted-up.
If the unevenness of the floor is minimal, it can be levelled using an extruded polystyrene underlay. This is an underlay for the flooring, the thickness of which makes that differences in height in the floor are levelled out.