Why do I need underlay?

If you are in the market for new flooring, you possibly have a rough idea of your budget; however, don’t make the same mistake as many homeowners and forget to factor in the cost of a new underlay! While your existing underlay might look OK, the chances are that it will need replacing if it has been in place for a few years or longer, or if you are switching from one type of flooring to a completely different type.

What does underlay do?

Underlay offers a range of benefits, some more obvious than others. Here are just some of the things underlay does:

It adds comfort

Underlay provides you with a more comfortable, cushioned floor, which is particularly noticeable when it is installed under carpet or vinyl. It is a great benefit in family homes, especially if you have little ones who tend to spend a lot of time playing on the floor or falling over as they learn to walk. You can choose from underlays of different thicknesses, with a cushioned underlay making even thinner carpets feel more luxurious underfoot. Not only does underlay protect you and your family from the hard floor below but also it protects the floor from wear and tear, acting as a shock absorber.

It muffles sound

Underlay helps to limit the amount of noise that travels between floors and from room to room. This makes it particularly useful in upstairs rooms, such as bedrooms. Whatever type of flooring you have, underlay can help reduce the sound of echoing footsteps or of items being dropped. You can also purchase special noise reducing underlays that are specially designed for properties in which noise might be a problem, such as flats or workplaces.

It can help to reduce your energy bills

This is probably not the first thing you think of when you start looking at underlay for your home; however, it is an important benefit that is often overlooked. It goes without saying that a thick carpet helps to keep your home warmer than draughty old floorboards, so think how much energy and warmth you could conserve with a thick, cushioned underlay. If your home tends to be cold during autumn and winter and you struggle to heat it, consider whether a better underlay would help. Not only would this make your home more comfortable but also you would use less energy heating your home, saving you money in the long run.