Has being stuck at home during lockdown made you very aware of worn carpets? If you were to pull back your carpet, you’d see the carpet underlay beneath it. Does this need replacing too?
Underlay is an essential part of fitting a carpet and helps to soundproof your home – perfect if you have a busy household. A good quality carpet underlay will stop the pile flattening, keeping your carpet looking like new for longer. And, acting as a shock absorber, it will feel more luxurious and softer to walk on – thanks to the extra cushioning. It’s worth noting that some underlays provide more cushioning than others – with thicker options best suited to bedrooms where a soft underfoot is desirable.
Now you know the basics of why you should never neglect your carpet underlay, let’s take a look at how easy it is to lay…
5 simple steps to lay carpet underlay
Step 1: Measure up
First things first, grab a tape measure and take accurate measurements of the room. If may be useful to sketch a quick diagram and to make note of the dimensions as you go. Don’t worry about the diagram being perfect, all that matters is that your measurements are accurate. And if there are any recesses or chimney breasts, ignore them as the carpet underlay will be cut around them.
Step 2: Decide on a carpet underlay
There are several different types of underlay you can buy, so how do you know which is right for you? Typically, you want a high-quality carpet underlay that will prolong the lifespan of your carpet. However, the UK’s leading underlay supplier, Carpet Underlay Shop, stock some of the best carpet underlays on the market – including polyurethane (PU) foam, wool/felt, combination felt crumb, rubber, crumb rubber and double-stick underlay – and will gladly advise you on the best one for your flooring.
Step 3: Prepare your floor
The next thing you need to do is empty the room and decide which end you’re starting from. Once you’ve done that, give the floor a good sweep or vacuum to get rid of any dust and debris (or anything else that could cause a bumpy surface). You needn’t worry about removing grippers at this stage unless you’re replacing them with new ones.
Step 4: Fit the carpet underlay
Before you make a start on carpet underlay installation, you may consider using floor lining paper to prevent the underlay from sticking and to protect your carpet from dirt and dust. Otherwise, take your first roll of carpet underlay and position it loosely, rubber side down. When doing so, try and keep the underlay as straight as possible to eliminate bumps.
After this, you can secure the underlay in place by stapling it along its edges inside the gripper or, for concrete floors, using a spray adhesive.
Each roll of carpet underlay is laid in exactly the same way – as close together as possible – without overlapping. Then, once all the underlay is in position, carefully cut around doorways and recesses using a utility knife for a neat finish.
Step 5: One final check
Lastly, tape along the joins between each strip of carpet underlay to hold it firmly in place and ensure no lines show beneath the carpet. Trim any excess underlay from inside the carpet gripper, make sure everything is nice and smooth, and that’s it. You’re ready for your beautiful new carpet to be fitted!