Underlay is the hidden hero of carpeted rooms. Choosing a great foundation will not only have a major effect on how your carpet feels but also how it will hold up over time.
Underlay is a thick layer of foam cut to the same size and shape of your carpet, installed under your carpet and above your subfloor.
Choosing a great carpet is important, but choosing a great underlay will take your carpet to the next level.
It’s a critical factor when installing new carpet: not only does underlay determine how soft your carpet feels underfoot, it affects the wear and lifetime of your floor.
In fact, most carpet manufacturers only provide warranties on their carpet when new underlay is installed at the same time. Reusing your existing underlay might seem like a cost-saving hack, but installing a new one can pay off in the long run.
So what underlay options do I have?
Underlay is measured based on two factors: thickness and density. Thicker underlays enhance the feel of your carpet and create more distance between your carpet and subfloor.
The density measures how many kilograms of foam are in packed into each cubic metre of underlay — more foam means less air, so it holds its shape.
We stock: 10mm / 90kg, 11mm / 120kg and 12mm / 140kg underlays.
The majority of underlay sold in New Zealand is 11mm thick, and many carpet retailers use this option as their default when providing quotes.
The long story short is that if you spend a bit more you’ll get a thicker underlay, which equates to better foot feel and likely longer life for your carpet.
Want to re-use your existing underlay?
If you’re on a budget, reusing your existing underlay can help reduce the cost of re-carpeting your space, but it’s often not a great long term choice.
To have access to a warranty on your carpet, most manufacturers require new underlay to be installed at the same time.
Using an old underlay can also cause your new carpet to quickly wear in the same patterns as your old carpet.
To extend the life of your carpet and ensure it is protected by warranties, we always recommend installing new underlay at the time when your new carpet is installed.