Understanding Underlay

It’s very common (and understandable) to place a big emphasis on the style and aesthetic of your home’s flooring. Details like materials, colours and finishes are all critical to the overall design and feel of your home, but there’s a hidden layer underneath that plays an equally important role in maintaining comfort and durability: the underlay. 

What is Underlay?

Underlay is a layer of material that sits between the subfloor and your main flooring, such as carpet, laminate or hardwood. Acting as the base of your flooring, it helps to enhance comfort underfoot while keeping your surface durable and long-lasting. Vinyl flooring does not require an underlay, instead, vinyl should be laid directly onto a level surface.

Why Underlay Matters

 Beyond basic protection, installing underlay to act as your floor’s base can help with: 

Increasing longevity – essentially a cushion between your floor and subfloor, underlay minimises stress on your flooring from foot traffic and wear and tear. Noise reduction – as an extra, soft protective layer, flooring underlay can soften the sound of footsteps. Insulation – underlay also has insulating properties, keeping the heat and making the room feel warmer. Moisture protection – a moisture-resistant barrier underlay prevents dampness from seeping up from the subfloor.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Underlay

Before choosing an underlay for your flooring, make sure you consider the following factors to ensure the best results. 

• Floor Type: The best underlay for your flooring ultimately depends on what type of flooring you have, be it laminate, carpet, hardwood, etc.
• Subfloor Condition: If the subfloor is uneven or prone to moisture, a thicker or moisture-resistant underlay may be needed.
• Room Usage: Consider if the room is high-traffic (living rooms), needs soundproofing (bedrooms), or requires thermal efficiency (basements).
• Budget: Different underlay materials come at varying price points.

Types of Flooring Underlay

Carpet Underlay

Carpet underlay, typically made from foam, recycled materials, or felt, enhances carpet softness, comfort, and lifespan. At Online Carpets, we generally recommend using underlay for all our carpets – while action-backed carpets, for example, require an underlay, felt-backed carpets don’t require it but still benefit from the added comfort and durability of an underlay.

Explore Our Range of Carpet Underlay Options

Hardwood & Laminate Underlay

Choosing the right laminate flooring underlay is essential for getting the best performance from your laminate or wood flooring. Our range of underlay for laminate flooring is designed to improve comfort, extend durability, and provide sound insulation, making your floors more practical and long-lasting. Typically made from cork or thin foam, they add warmth, insulation, and protection, making them a must when installing laminate flooring.

 Explore our collection to find the perfect laminate underlay for your floor, supporting it and improving its overall comfort and durability.

Tile Underlay

When it comes to tile flooring, the two most common types of underlay are

1. Backer boards 
2. Membranes 

Backer boards are typically made from materials such as cement, fibreglass or fibre-cement, and provide a stable, moisture-resistant surface for tiles to adhere to. 

Membranes, including waterproof membranes and uncoupling membranes, provide specific functions such as moisture control, crack prevention and uncoupling – allowing the tile to move independently from the subfloor prevents cracks and damage due to structural movement, thermal expansion, or contraction of the subfloor.

Is Underlay Easy to Install? 

Installing underlay is generally an easy task and is perfect for your next DIY project. But before you start, make sure you have the following tools to make the process as smooth as possible:

• Utility knife 
• Hammer 
• Nail punch 
• Pliers 
• Staple gun (if needed)
• Straightedge or ruler 

Step 1: Measure the room accurately and cut the underlay. This will give you an idea of how much underlay you need. Cut the underlay to size using a utility knife and straightedge.

Step 2: Assess the subfloor. Assess the condition of the subfloor and ensure there is no damage. Vacuum or sweep up any dust and dirt, and check for nails or staples from previous flooring. 

Step 3: Lay the underlay. Roll out the underlay, starting from one corner of the room. If using multiple sheets, place them side by side without overlapping.

Step 4: Secure the underlay. For most underlays, you can use seam tape to secure them to the subfloor. But if necessary, use a staple gun to staple the edges down. 

Step 5: Install flooring. Now that the underlay is installed, you can install your top-level flooring.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

So, now you know what underlay flooring is used for, why it’s so important, and how to install it. But before you get started, let’s quickly go through some of the most common mistakes DIYers often make. 

Forgetting to Prepare Your Subfloor

Unfortunately, you can put the success of your flooring at risk before having even started the project! Many tend to skip this step and go straight to the fun part, but neglecting subfloor preparation can lead to issues like creaking, leaking, and even damage to the flooring over time. To avoid these problems, inspect the subfloor properly, removing any dust, nails, or staples from previous flooring installations. 

Overlapping Underlay 

When you lay your underlay, it’s crucial not to overlap any of the edges, as this can cause the top-level floor to lose stability and potentially shift. To avoid this, lay the underlay side by side, ensuring they fit snugly without overlapping. Use seam tape if necessary to secure them.

Choosing the Wrong Type of Underlay

As addressed above, different flooring types require different types of underlay to ensure the best possible performance. For example, choosing an underlay designed for carpet for a laminate floor can create issues around leakages and insulation.

By selecting the right type and avoiding common installation mistakes, you can improve sound insulation and extend the life of your flooring while improving overall underfoot comfort. Invest in quality underlayment to create a solid foundation for your space with Online Carpets. Explore our options today to find the perfect fit for your project!