Different Types of Carpet Underlay

There are 3 types of carpet underlays on the market today, PU Foam, Rubber and Wool Felt. Below, we have described the pros and cons with some general knowledge of each type of underlay.

FOAM UNDERLAY
A fairly new product in the market place designed to offer more comfort underfoot. It’s manufactured using recycled sponges which are mulched up then compressed together by steam into a big cylinder block. This is then carefully cut into specified thickness ranging from 7mm to 12mm.

Advantages;

• Feels soft underfoot
• Hard wearing
• Sound Absorbing
• Thermal Insulation
• Fitter Friendly
• Environmentally Friendly

Disadvantages;

• Cannot be recycled.

RUBBER UNDERLAY
Probably what you expect to find under most carpets. Rubber underlays are now in serious decline due to superior products such as PU Foam underlay and new Wool Underlays which excel in all aspects such as comfort and insulation. However, traditional rubber underlays had a waffle air gap design which compressed after a short period of time, however, rubber manufacturers have improved by developing new flat textured sponge designs which retain from compression and give a more luxurious feel to your carpet.

Advantages;

• Feels firm underfoot
• Very high impact noise reduction (due to density of rubber)
• Hard Wearing

Disadvantages;

• Cannot be recycled
• Not fitter friendly
• Very poor thermal insulation
• Expensive

​WOOL FELT UNDERLAY
Becoming very popular due to their high thermal & comfort properties. Traditional felt underlays were made from Jute/Hessian fibers which were well known to compress giving no luxury underfoot nor thermal insulating properties. However, some felt manufacturers have sourced a superior fiber, ‘wool’. As we all know, wool is a great insulator, it’s in scarves, jackets, blankets so wool in an underlay works fantastic in terms of keeping the heating in your room.

Advantages;

• Very high thermal insulation (cut down heating bills)
• High impact & airborne noise reduction
• Feels good underfoot
• Environmentally friendly
• Cheaper than PU Foam or Rubber underlays.

Disadvantages;

• Does not feel as soft underfoot as PU Foam underlays.