The Importance of Underlay

When choosing new flooring, it is easy to focus on the carpet, laminate, or wood finish, but underlay plays a vital role in both comfort and durability. The right underlay not only improves the feel of your floor but also helps you get the very best performance from your investment.

Comfort and Warmth

Underlay provides insulation by retaining heat, helping to keep rooms warmer and reduce energy bills. A thicker or higher-tog underlay can make a real difference in bedrooms and living rooms, giving a softer, cosier feel underfoot.

Noise Reduction and Protection

A good underlay also reduces noise transfer. In flats or busy family homes, underlay helps absorb sound, creating a quieter environment. It also protects the flooring above by acting as a cushion. For carpets, this means the fibres are shielded from the constant pressure of foot traffic, helping the carpet stay looking new for longer. For hard floors such as laminate or engineered wood, the right underlay reduces impact sounds while also protecting against wear.

Matching Underlay to Different Areas

Different areas of the home benefit from different underlay types:

• Stairs and hallways – a firm, dense underlay gives better support and withstands heavy footfall.
• Bedrooms and lounges – a deeper, more cushioned underlay creates a sense of luxury and warmth.
• Kitchens and bathrooms – an underlay with moisture protection is important beneath certain types of hard flooring.
• Flats and upstairs rooms – choose an underlay designed for sound insulation to reduce noise to rooms below.

Energy Efficiency and Comfort

Beyond comfort, underlay smooths out minor imperfections in the subfloor, prevents draughts and contributes to better energy efficiency in the home. It is a small addition that makes a big difference over the lifetime of your flooring.

Choosing Your Underlay

While it is tempting to choose underlay based on specifications alone, feel is key. We always recommend visiting in store to experience the difference underlays make when placed beneath different carpets or flooring types. The right choice can transform how your flooring looks, feels and performs.

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