Are you buying new carpet? Have you thought about the cushioning underneath?

You love the carpet you have chosen for your home and now the question pops up ‘what underlay would you like’ and you think ‘oh no another decision, just give me something good’ BUT before you make a quick decision you should think more about this aspect of your flooring.

Underlay plays a very vital role in your carpet’s performance, comfort levels and appearance with the main purpose being to provide long term comfort and protection for your carpet.

When choosing your underlay think about the kind of household you live in. If you have very heavy traffic with kids who play indoors then consider a denser more supportive cushion. If you have pets you may want antimicrobial protection against mould, bacteria or dust mites.

You will generally choose underlay by density and thickness, the basic guide to follow is that the higher the density and the thickness the more luxurious the feel will be.

Extra benefits of underlay can be:
-          Providing thermal insulation keeping your house warmer
-          Dampens sound
-          Helps you clean your carpet more efficiently
-          Maintains the longevity of your carpet

If you start thinking you could save some money on your flooring by reusing your existing underlay, please be wary. Reusing your existing underlay when you replace your carpet may void your new carpet warranty as most manufacturers state that their carpet must be installed to the industry standard. The industry standard states: ‘carpet should never be laid over existing carpet and/or existing underlay as this can cause permanent damage to the new floor covering installation.’

The Consumer magazine August 2012 issue says ‘a good quality underlay prolongs the life of your carpet and makes it feel softer and springier. It also helps sound proof a room and provides extra insulation against heat loss.’

So make sure you take the time to think about what underlay is going to work best for you and your home when you purchase your new carpet.

Thanks for reading :)

Check out my blog next week... I will be blogging about how to choose the right carpet for you