In general, padding between ¼ inch and 7/16 inches thick with 6 pounds per cubic foot of density work with most carpets.
Carpet underlay comes in a number of different thicknesses. 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 9-11mm being the most popular products.
Most residential carpet requires a pad that is between 3/8 of an inch and 7/16 of inch thick with a minimum 6-pound density rating. However, low-profile carpets, such as berber, should not use padding that is thicker than 7/16 of an inch (3/8 of an inch is commonly recommended).
6. How thick should underlay be for laminate flooring? Underlay for laminate flooring is usually 3 mm thick. This may seem thin, but using thick underlay will create too much bounce when people walk on it and cause the floor to move underfoot.
A general rule of thumb for most residential carpet applications is to choose cushion no more than 7/16 inch thick and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. If the carpet is a berber or a low profile carpet, choose a cushion no more than 3/8 inch thick with 8 pounds density.
Low pile under - 7mm
The shorter pile is best for high traffic areas because less dirt, debris and pet hair can get stuck.
Thickness
But if you're looking for something a little softer and more sumptuous, be sure to opt for a thicker product. 10mm works well for stairways and extra thick carpets. However, in most cases, we recommend a 12mm underlay – as this tends to have the best properties overall.
The Extra Step Heavy Duty 6mm is fantastic value for an extremely durable underlay which is guaranteed to prolong the life of any carpet in even the most high traffic areas. As well as being one of the most heavy duty products on the market, it also boasts good sound reduction and heat insulation properties.
In short, 9mm is generally best for high traffic areas such as stairs and 11mm is best for comfort areas.
At 12mm thick, this is the thickest underlay you can buy for use with carpets. The extra thickness is designed to provide a lovely, comfort feel throughout your home.
The general rule is that carpet padding shouldn't be thicker than 1/2”. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommend padding no thicker than 3/8” for Berber carpets.
Plush, Frieze, and Pattern Carpet Padding
Masterbond – 8 lb density and 1/2” thick. This padding may not come with a moisture barrier or Pet Urine Protection (PUP), but it adds that extra comfort for your feet.
6-pound padding is usually dense enough for use with most residential carpet and falls within most carpet manufacturers' warranty guidelines. More homeowners prefer the 6-pound pad overall because they like their carpet to feel softer and cushy underfoot.
We recommend going no thicker than 11mm for the stairs as anything over this will be very difficult to fit – read our guide on how to fit stairs carpet for more info. 9mm is the optimum thickness, however it can depend on the density of the underlay.
In general, carpets without underlay have a much shorter lifespan and are more at risk of rapid wear and tear. Underlay is especially important if you're planning on laying carpet over concrete as it will help make walking across the room much more comfortable.
The type of fabric used on the bottom of the carpet strongly influences the need for a carpet underlay. If your carpet has a textile or latex backing , then an underlay is necessary in order to avoid uneven surfaces. Does your carpet have a felt or foam backing? Then there's no reason to consider a carpet underlay.
Carpet padding is always the best money you can spend in a carpet store! Put it this way, if you were to spend $3 more per yard on carpet, you may or may not be able to tell the difference. However, take that same $3 and spend it on an upgraded pad and it will make all the difference in the world.
The best type of underlay for carpet is PU foam. It is the best option due its many advantages over alternative types of underlay such as its strong heat insulation abilities and the soft underfoot it provides. However, sponge rubber is another solid option.
Excellent sound and thermal properties
Boasting a generous 3.1 tog rating, it provides excellent warmth for the home and may even help to cut down your energy costs. Cloud 9 cumulus underlay also benefits from 43db sound insulation and will successfully dull any noise made by walking across the room.
Carpenter Underlay provide a wide range of luxurious domestic underlay, that offer not only supreme underfoot comfort but also provide fantastic thermal and acoustic insulation, from their 11mm DeepStep underlay to the highly resilient and comfortable 9mm.
The combination of thickness and density is all important as a thick underlay with a low density may not perform well. Typically the thicker the underlay the better quality it will need to be - 9- 7mm is the most common domestic thickness with 11mm often used for luxury installations.
The underlay acts as a barrier by reducing the flow of air, thereby reducing the dust particles carried by the air. Wool 42oz provides excellent comfort and durability along with excellent heat and sound insulation properties. It allows air circulation and carpets to breathe and so reduces dust within in the room.
If the pile is very thick it can flatten or even matt together with continuous use and is therefore unsuitable for high-traffic areas. The maximum recommended pile height for stairs is around 1/2" (1.2 centimetres) and for most rooms around 3/4" (1.9 centimetres).
Saxony carpet is a cut loop pile carpet. Its pile is designed to be incredibly dense, for a soft feeling underfoot. This makes it popular for bedrooms and living rooms. Sometimes Saxony carpets are called a plush carpet, based on the luxurious style and feel.