Different types of underlay can vary greatly in their performance…choosing the right underlay is therefore key to getting real value for money.

Various Types

Rubber Sponge – Waffle

Excellent Value
Good Short Term Comfort
Reasonable Durability
Good Sound Absorption
Low Tog Rating

Roll Weights –Various
Medium Light to Heavy

Rubber Sponge – Flat Blown

Good Value
Excellent Short Term Comfort
Good Durability
Excellent Sound Absorption
Low Tog Rating
Roll Weights - Heavy

Rubber Crumb
Reasonable Value
Good Short & Long Term Comfort
Excellent Durability
Good Sound Absorption
Resistant to Castors

Roll Weights - Heavy

Latex Foam (Satellite; New Horizons)

Excellent Value
Good Short Term & Long Term Comfort
Good Durability
Roll Weights – Light to Medium

Light Rebond (Cloud 9; Wunderlay; Seventh Heaven & Reflex)

Reasonable Value
Good Short Term & Long Term Comfort
Good Durability

Roll Weights – Light to Medium Light

Felt - Jute/Hair

Reasonable Value
Good Short Term Comfort
Good Durability
High Tog Rating
Excellent Sound Absorption

Roll Weights – Medium

Felt – Synthetic

Reasonable Value
Good Short Term Comfort
Good Durability
High Tog Rating
Excellent Sound Absorption

Roll Weights – Medium

Various factors in the Choice of Underlay

Durability
The main purpose of underlay is to help maintain the appearance of the carpet for longer thus increasing its lifespan.
Other key factors in choosing and underlay are:

Underfoot Comfort
The cushion of the underlay provides the initial comfort. Different types of underlay provide varying degrees of comfort dependant upon their core materials, thickness, density and the way they have been produced.

Sound Insulation
This is increasingly becoming more important…not just airborne sound but also sound transmission…especially in with new build and refurbishment projects.

Heat insulation
Most underlay save energy, up to 15% with some, but with underfloor heating the Tog rating should of the underlay and the floorcovering does not want to exceed too high a level.

Environmental
There are many types of underlay that are made from recycled materials. Crumb Rubber, Rebond-Polyurethane Foam, various Felt combinations…but the textile felt and jute/hair felts are also recyclable after use. Potentially reducing the amount of underlay that goes direct into landfill sites.

Double-Stick Installation
To reduce the risk of rucking many commercially fitted carpets are stuck down onto the underlay. New underlays have been introduced to speed up later removal and replacement of both the underlay and carpet.

Other factors that may also be taken into consideration

Suitability for Castors, Wheelchairs etc.
Flame Retardency
Absorbs Minor floor Imperfections
Barrier to stop ingress of moisture

Real value is obviously linked to price…it is therefore important to decide upon a criteria for purchase.

The British Standards BS5808 categorises underlay into specific sectors:

Light Domestic Use
General Domestic Use
Luxury Use
General Contract Use
Heavy Contract Use

Companies such as Floorwise have introduced benefit driven icons to make choosing the right underlay easier still.