Underlay: Is It Worthwhile?
Carpets are expensive, and the added cost of underlay can lead people out of their spending comfort-zone. At such times, many decide not to purchase flooring underlay – it doesn’t really do anything, does it? It’s just an accessory that the carpet shops are selling to make a little bit more money…isn’t it? No! There are many reasons why you should consider buying underlay. Sure, you don’t have to, but it will be better in the end if you do, and below, we explain why.
What are the Advantages of Flooring Underlay?
There are actually a number of advantages with underlay; some of them are obvious, while others are more obscure. We will consider a number of different benefits of having underlay:
Comfort:
Underlay provides an extra cushioning effect to the carpet. This makes the floor much more comfortable to walk on. It is springier and it is spongier – both of which are classic signs of comfort! Carpets and laminates that have underlay are far more comfortable that those that do not have underlay. If you have bought a carpet because it’s plush and soft, then you need underlay to ensure that it stays like that for as long as possible.
Warmth:
Carpet underlay will help to keep your floors much warmer during the colder months. It can also keep rooms cooler during the hotter month. This is because underlay is insulating. It helps to maintain a steady temperature in whatever room it is found. This is great because it actually means that you spend less on your electricity bills as it requires less energy to keep the room warm or to keep the room cool. Initially, then, you may have to pay more to have the room insulated by purchasing an underlay, but in the end, you can save money by using less energy.
Sound proofing:
This feature is often underplayed when it comes to underlay, but it acts as a sound-proofer. The mechanism is the same as it is for the insulating properties of heat and cool. Sound cannot travel as easily through the underlay, and so it is minimised. This is great for people who make a lot of noise but don’t want their neighbours to hear, or who live in noisy neighbourhoods and don’t want to hear the outside world. We cannot begin to tell you of the massive benefit of underlay in a teenager’s room! They are noisy!
You can buy special underlay that is designed specifically to offer the highest level of soundproofing. This is great for people who live in noisy neighbourhoods, or next to a main road, or for musicians and sound engineers.
There are many other reasons why it makes sense to buy underlay when buying a new carpet. We think that the above points are sufficient to get you to understand that underlay is not simply an accessory, but is something that is very important, too.
If you would like to enquire further about flooring underlay, then please visit our website.
