PU FOAM UNDERLAY

PU Foam underlays are amongst the most popular sold today, mostly in the mid-price brackets. The brand leader is Cloud 9, domestic qualities being available in thicknesses of 7mm, 9mm and 11mm, all with a stitch-bonded paper backing, however, some members of the trade and the public have found the backing of this product to be a little noisy underfoot, in certain conditions. The makers of Cloud 9 have recently launched a companion range, Blue Heaven, also in 7mm, 9mm and 11mm but with an alternative backing which is proving to be quieter underfoot, so do consider this range as an alternative.

If sound impact (noise) reduction is important to you, consider Tredaire's Seventh Heaven collection, consisting of Dreamwalk 11mm and Softwalk 9mm. If value-for-money is your priority, consider the Soft as a Cloud collection by AirLuxe, offered in thicknesses of 8mm, 9mm and 11mm

An alternative to the PU foam underlays, Cellular underlays are becoming increasingly popular due to their low cost. AirLuxe Black Diamond and Sapphire Supreme are in this category.

RUBBER UNDERLAY

Rubber underlays are regarded as a more traditional style of underlay than the foam underlays, having a wider spread of quality and prices than the foams. These are split between three main types, namely waffle rubber, sponge rubber and dense rubber. The waffle and sponge rubber underlays are often graded by their roll weight per 15 square metres, typically as 65lb, 85lb, 100lb and so on, up to around 150lb, the greater the weight, the more durable and hardwearing the product is, giving longer life to your carpet. Duralay and Tredaire both offer a number of products of this type ranging from 60lb upwards. AirLuxe offer their comprehensive Colourways range covering weights of 100lb up to 150lb for heavier wear areas, or their Footsteps range for the more price conscious.

Dense Rubber underlays are usually graded by their thickness rather than weight, these underlays being a little firmer underfoot than the waffle and sponge rubber varieties, but giving excellent carpet support, especially in heavy foot traffic areas. Duralay Treadmore and Endurance are excellent value products.

FELT UNDERLAY

Regarded by many as an old-fashioned product, this style of product is making a comeback with the environmentally aware section of the buying public. Made from woollen and/or synthetic waste material, which might otherwise end up in landfill sites. For good durability, choose a heavier weight such as AirLuxe Green Label 'Harmonise'

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY UNDERLAY

This terminology is applied to underlays which are often manufactured from recycled products. Felts using woollen and/or synthetic materials (see above), PU foam underlays using granulated offcuts of furniture foam and dense rubber underlays made from granulated rubber made from the recycling of tyres. AirLuxe have recently launched their Green Label range featuring all of these types of product.

SPECIAL PURPOSE UNDERLAYS

There are a number of underlays made for specific purposes such as use with underfloor central heating. Tredaire Heatflow is a high quality example, whilst Endurance underlay is a general purpose, lower priced alternative which can be used effectively. There are also underlays made specifically for laminate and wood flooring - do not use ordinary carpet underlay for this purpose, it could be a very costly mistake. One of the most cost effective of the laminate and wood floor underlays is offered by AirLuxe, whilst other high quality products are made by brands such as Tredaire and Floorwise.