Definition of Underlay

• Word: Underlay {un•der•lay}
• Verb: to place something under something else, to support, protect or raise it.
• Noun: something placed under something else, to support, protect or raise it.
• Noun: material placed under carpet or laminate to create comfort, warmth and durability.

Underlay (or underlayment) refers to a layer of cushioning made of materials such as sponge rubber, foam, felt or crumb rubber that is laid beneath carpet, laminate or wood flooring to provide comfort underfoot, to reduce wear on the carpet, laminate or wood, and to provide insulation against sound, noise, moisture and heat. In general, underlay is a layer that is underneath another layer, thus underlay.

Our underlay types include: rubber underlay with a sponge waffle finish, rubber underlay with a flat sponge finish, crumb rubber underlay, PU foam underlay, single stick underlay and double stick underlay, acoustic sponge underlay. We have all the major brands of underlay, such as Interfloor, so you know you can buy with confidence. We don't stock cheap own-brand underlay bought in from the Far East and which won't last as long as a quality underlay – we want you to be happy with your underlay for many many years. Our brands include: Duralay, Tredaire, Seventh Heaven (also called 7th Heaven), Gripperrods and Stikatak, and we have equivalents for the popular Cloud 9 underlays. There are three basic choices for underlay:

Sponge Rubber Underlay: Sponge rubber underlays range from the most sumptuous (Tredaire Colours Red) to the most economical (Steplite Step 60). The best sponge rubber underlay has an incredible underfoot feel, and is hard to beat for comfort. They also absorb more sound than other underlays.

PU Foam Underlay: PU foam underlay are almost as comfortable as sponge rubber, and are slightly more durable and warmer. They absorb almost as much sound as a sponge rubber. Our underlay ranges in thicknesses from 7mm to 11mm, and includes Tredaire Dreamwalk (direct equivalent to Cloud 9 Cumulus), Tredaire Softwalk (direct equivalent to Cloud 9 Cirrus) and Tredaire Cosywalk (direct equivalent to Cloud 9 Nimbus).

Crumb Rubber Underlay: If you have a lot of traffic through a room or have heavy furniture which gets moved, then crumb rubber underlays are by far the most durable. Heavy furniture will not cause dents in the underlay. They are also very environmentally friendly as they are made from recycled car tyres, and they are inherently resistant to moisture. There is nothing more hardwearing, but they are not quite as comfortable as the other two types, but they are still pretty good – for example, Tredaire Colours Red scores 6* for comfort, and Duralay System Ten crumb rubber scores 4*.

Statements such as “Underlay doesn’t make a difference”, “I already have underlay”, "Underlay costs too much” are all readily said when buying new carpet or laminate flooring – but the reality is very different:

• New underlay adds luxury and superior comfort underfoot.
• New underlay reduces wear and tear on your new flooring by working like car shock absorbers.
• New underlay reduces noise and aids sound proofing.
• New underlay makes your flooring look better for longer.
• New underlay lowers energy costs by reducing drafts and keeping more of the warmth in the room.
• New underlay makes your new flooring last longer.

Often old underlay holds on to dirt and mites which seep through a new flooring making it appear old and dirty. Old underlay also often cracks and crumbles making your new flooring uneven.

You will need different underlays for different rooms. For example, you might want the most comfortable carpet underlay in your lounge or study, the most durable and hard wearing carpet underlay for your hallway, and the warmest carpet underlay for your bedroom. Either way, you can use the helpful menus at the left of this page to choose which rooms you are decorating and to then choose from our good/better/best recommendations.

If you have specialist needs, such as the right underlay for a wood or laminate floor, or an underlay for underfloor heating, then we can help you. Again, check out our helpful menu which will guide you to the right underlay for your needs. We Stock Specialist Underfloor Heating and Acoustic Underlays.

Underlay is often sold by the large high street carpet and laminate flooring retailers as part of a package which includes the carpet or underlay, the delivery, the accessories, the fitting and the underlay itself. However, the underlay comes from a limited range and is often highly priced to help subsidise the cheap cost of the carpet or laminate. Here at AllAboutUnderlay.co.uk we can deliver the right carpet and laminate underlay fast to your door at trade prices.

All About Underlay is the fastest growing online retailer of carpet and laminate underlay, plus related tools and accessories. It is the carpet underlay shop with a wide range of carpet and laminate underlays that are not available on the high street from stores such as Carpet Right, Allied Carpets, B&Q or Homebase. The products are tradepriced to be the cheapest available whether you are a fitter, in the trade or buying for yourself – so you can be confident you are paying the right price, and not a penny more. And we are confident that our products are tradepriced, we offer a price match guarantee, so if you find the same product cheaper in any other carpet underlay shop, then we will match it. All About Underlay is the place to buy the right carpet underlay for you.

When you have chosen your carpet underlay, laminate underlay, wood flooring underlay or under floor heating underlay, the next step is delivery. As long as we have the underlay in stock (and we go to great lengths to make sure that we always have underlay and accessories in stock) then we will try to dispatch your order the same day we receive it. Our courier will then deliver it to you, normally the next working day for most parts of the UK.