Do I Really Need New Underlay? (The Truth)

It's the most common question we get: 'Can we just use the old underlay?' The answer is almost always no, and here is why.

Underlay acts as the shock absorber for your carpet. Every time you step, the underlay compresses. Over 10 years, it loses its bounce and becomes a flat, dead layer of foam or rubber.

If you put a new carpet on old, flat underlay, the carpet pile gets crushed against the hard floor. This can reduce the lifespan of your new carpet by up to 50%. Manufacturers often void warranties if new carpet is fitted on old underlay.

Types of Underlay:

• PU Foam (Cloud 9, Tredaire): The modern standard. Lightweight, excellent insulation (tog rating), and very soft. Ideal for bedrooms and lounges.

• Rubber Waffle: The old-school choice. Durable but can degrade into dust over time.

• Crumb Rubber: Very dense and flat. Perfect for stairs and heavy furniture areas to prevent indentations.

Think of underlay as the mattress and carpet as the sheet. You wouldn't put a crisp new sheet on a lumpy, collapsed mattress and expect a good night's sleep. Invest in good underlay (prices start from usually £5-£8 per sqm) for a better feel and longer life.