Levelling a floor – a beginner’s guide
It’s the statement found at the top of every flooring installation manual. “Start with a level floor.” Whether you own a period property or new build, plywood and concrete subfloors are very rarely flat – and if you wish to lay new flooring, that can be problematic! High and low spots make the installation process much trickier than it needs to be and can have a negative impact on the final results. So it’s crucial to do some preparation before you start. Even for a DIY novice, levelling a fl...
Underfloor heating underlay: make your home warmer for the winter
Autumn is officially here. With the nights gradually drawing in and the weather getting colder, it’s time to make your home cosy – and one increasingly popular option is to install underfloor heating. Said to be 20% more efficient than a standard central heating system, underfloor heating distributes heat evenly across the room (compared to radiators, which heat the side of your walls and the top of your roof) and can reduce energy bills to a minimum. It’s a safe, practical and luxurious opti...
How to fit carpet gripper
So, you’ve chosen to do-it-yourself and install your own carpet? That’s great! But do you know how to fit carpet grippers? These long pieces of plywood may not seem very important, but to create a smooth, professional finish, they’re an absolute essential to fit a carpet. Here we offer a step-by-step guide on how to lay them correctly, hopefully keeping mistakes (and frustration levels!) to a minimum. A step-by-step guide to fitting carpet gripper rods Do the maths First things first, you nee...
How to lay wooden flooring
One of the biggest flooring trends of late is textured hardwood. Distressed and hand-scraped patterns, in pale shades of washed grey and oak – it’s an easy way to give your home a modern and stylish look. And the best part? You can fit it yourself, without the help of a professional. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to lay wooden flooring and the job will be done in no time. Six steps to hardwood floor installation 1. Remove old flooring First things first, you need to empty the space of...
2020 Flooring Trends - Grey, the latest design & fashion
Thinking about re-decorating your home for 2020? Perhaps you have a few days off work over the festive period. As the Christmas decorations come down, what better time to update your house and give it a fresh new look? For a little inspiration, here we take a look at some of the most popular flooring trends for 2020 – and recommend the perfect carpet underlay to go with each. 1. Grey LVT Flooring Vinyl Click Flooring (LVT Flooring) has become the latest trend for 2020 because its waterproof ...
The top 3 wood floor underlays
Type ‘wood floor underlay’ into a search engine and, we guarantee, you’ll be bombarded with thousands of results. There are so many different products to choose from. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choice and most people are left wondering – which underlay should I buy? When customers come to us with this question, we try to keep our advice as simple as possible. The right wood underlayment for you will depend on the nature of the wood, its intended location and the condition of the sub...
Thermal underlay – can it improve the efficiency of your home?
As we head into the winter months and the days get colder, we start to rely more and more on central heating – which, of course, is bad news for the bank balance! Energy prices are on the rise and, in an attempt to cut back the bills, being ‘efficient’ is at the forefront of most people’s minds. But did you know? One of the easiest ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home is to invest in thermal carpet underlay – such as that available at the Carpet Underlay Shop. The insulating pow...
Is it time to buy new carpet underlay?
So, you’ve just bought new luxury flooring for your home. When it comes to installation, you pull back the old carpet and see the carpet underlay that lies beneath. Does that need replacing too? This is a question we get asked quite a lot, here at Carpet Underlay Shop, and our answer is very simple. Yes – you should invest in new carpet underlay almost every time you lay a new carpet. The only exception is if the current underlay is less than 12 months old or in excellent condition. You may t...
How much should carpet underlay cost?
Just paid for a luxurious new carpet or bought high-quality wood flooring for your home? Underlay might seem like an unnecessary extra expense, but it’s important to consider the many benefits this ‘extra’ can provide. For example, underlay can help to make carpets last longer and improve the energy efficiency of your home. Along with increasing comfort and reducing impact noise, these are just some of the reasons why it’s worth installing carpet underlay. It’s an essential long-term investme...
New flooring – the best styles and underlays for 2021
Want to modernise your home for 2021? Why not lay new flooring? With the country in lockdown three of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s never been a better time to do some DIY and freshen up your property. And to help you on your way, here we take a look at some of the most popular trends and the best flooring and underlay currently available. Popular 2021 flooring trends Carpet will always be a popular type of flooring for the home. But as we head into the new year, it’s hard surfaces that ar...
Floor planning guide
Which is the best flooring for each room of the home? Want to buy new flooring for your home, but not sure where to start? With so many flooring options to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming. But ultimately, to decide on the right option for you, there are three main factors that you will need to consider: Which room will the flooring be laid in? What is that room used for? How much daily footfall does it experience? Here we offer our advice on the best flooring type for ...
Choosing the best underlay for laminate flooring
Our online range of ‘laminate flooring underlay’ currently features over 20 different products. The question is – which should you buy? Whilst all of these products will significantly enhance the look and feel of your new laminate flooring, they each have a unique set of qualities and properties. And rather than simply adding the first one you see to your ‘basket’, there are a few important factors that you need to consider. 1. Location First and foremost, where do you plan to install the...
Which underlay should I buy for carpet?
It’s the first question we get asked. When a customer gets in touch, perhaps feeling a little confused and overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available, there’s one thing they want to know: ‘Which is the best underlay to use for carpet?’ Fortunately, we’ve worked in this industry for many years now. Not only do we have unrivalled knowledge of the best carpet underlays available, we know our products like the back of our hand. Here we share some of our expertise to (hopefully!) make y...
Which underlay do I need for wood flooring?
Underlay for wood flooring. It’s an important purchase. One that can make a huge difference to the final look and feel of your new floor – so, you want to be 100% sure that you’re buying the best product for the job. But with a large range of products to choose from, how do you know which that is? Luckily, here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we’ve worked in this industry for many years now. Not only do we have excellent knowledge of the best underlays for wood flooring, we know our products inside-...
How to measure a room
Flooring measurements. How difficult can they be? Simply measure the length and width of the room in metres and multiply them together. Easy as that, right? The trouble is, nine times out of ten, the rooms in your property won’t be a straightforward rectangle or square. They come in all different shapes and configurations. And, to ensure your underlay and chosen flooring fits perfectly, there are a few key things you’ll need to look out for. Here we cover the basics and offer a few tips on ho...