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.
The best carpet underlay, wood underlay and laminate 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*.
Why buy New Underlay ?
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.
Which Underlay for Which Room ?
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.
We Stock Specialist Underfloor Heating and Acoustic Underlays
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.
Fast Underlay Delivery
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.
Why buy carpet underlay online ?
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.
Why All About Underlay ?
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.
A.T. UK - All of my dealings with AllAboutUnderlay have been totally without problem and so have all the goods I have bought, they are very good value for money. The delivery charge is quite good and delivery time is very quick.
A.C. UK - AllAboutUnderlay not only had the lowest price for the product I was looking for, but also an efficient and well-presented website to buy it from. And, unlike other suppliers, the delivery charge was very reasonable - an important point as I only needed a small quantity (1 roll), and am nearly 300 miles from where the supplier is based. And it was delivered on the second working day after ordering - they were even able to tell me exactly when!
M.R. UK - The Tredaire Dreamwalk underlay makes a massive difference to the feel of the carpet , I will be using the same underlay throughout the house , great product at the right price.
K.G. UK - I found you on google and after looking at some of the other sites I found you to be the easiest site to use and the best price. All the order process was very straight forward and easy and the product came on time with a very nice driver. I will certainly use you again and recommend you, thank you!
N.R. UK - Just marvellous, it was so easy just like face to face service in a shop the advantage was I did not have to drive park my car all costing money just do it all from the comfort of my home! Even better the underlay is marvellous great company to order from. Thank you AllAboutUnderlay for your brill product and excellent service.
P.T. UK – Brilliant service, they didn't have enough stock of one of the items I ordered and telephoned to advise me of this. It was arranged they would send what was available and then send on the rest of the order once it was in stock. They did everything they agreed to do. I found their customer service to be excellent, it was a nice change having someone telephoning to inform you of the situation. The quality of the underlay is fantastic, it was laid on a slightly uneven concrete floor and helped to pad out those awkward little dips; it has made the room so much warmer - you could tell instantly. Delivery was on time, all items were very well packaged and the delivery people where extremely helpful in bringing the items into my property as I am disabled - for that I thank them very much. Would definitely recommend anyone to use Allaboutunderlay and intend to make further purchases myself.
A.B. Coventry - I always buy Tredaire underlays – they never let me down.
D.S. Rossendale - I bought a cheap carpet but put Tredaire Colours Red underneath it, and now everyone who comes to my house compliments me on the amazing comfort of the carpet.
P.T. Lowestoft - We bought Duralay Treadmore as it is hard wearing and, because it is recycled, we feel we are doing our bit for the environment.
M.W. Blackpool - My husband and I have always bought Tredaire rubber underlays as they are so comfortable. There is nothing better.
D.A. Bradford - Great prices, a fantastically easy to use website and quick delivery - I couldn't have asked for more.
E.W. Liverpool – We are really impressed with Tredaire Colours Red underlay. It is like walking on air! It is very comfortable underfoot, as if it is got a spring in it.
J.R. Waltham Cross - We’ve had a Duralay underlay in our lounge for 19 years and it is as good as new. Our new Tredaire underlay could not be more comfortable.
J.M. Gomersal - I needed underlay for the room over my garage. I did not even know that different underlay had different togs until I found your website, so now I have gone for the warmest underlay you stock. And what is more, it arrived the very next day. Thanks for a really helpful website and an excellent service.
J.C. Forres - I would like to pass on my congratulations and thanks for my recent order. I ordered the items at 8am on Tuesday and the delivery was in my hall in the North of Scotland at 11.30am the following day. You put other companies to shame as they make delivering to mainland Britain a big complicated fiasco of delays and mega charges. Thank you and I have circulated your details to friends and colleagues.
G.S. Worcester Park - I just wanted to say thank you for your excellent service. I ordered on Thursday morning – the lady on the phone was very helpful. The order arrived on Friday afternoon and was extremely well packed. The driver called me on my mobile and I told him where to leave it, rather than leaving a card. I normally use one of your competitors, but they were closed last week – I have been happy with them, but they do not take as much care with the packing – i.e. strapping it securely with packing tape, and one pack of underlay got torn in transit – you make sure that this cannot happen. Excellent service! Well done to all those involved, particularly the packer, and the driver.