Choosing the Best Underlay for Stair Runner Installation
If there’s already carpet underlay for stairs below your stair flooring, you might be wondering: what is the purpose of underlay beneath a stair runner?
Just as installing a high-quality carpet underlay adds extra padding over the subfloor of the stairs, if you lay a runner on top, a high-quality runner underlay will ensure even support and comfort underfoot. Similarly, if you would install an anti-slip rug underlay to secure a regular rug, you should add underlay below a runner to reduce movement.
Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, not only can you order a carpet underlay for a stair runner, but also any carpet underlay accessories you might need to install it.
With same-day dispatch available if you order before 2pm during the week, and next-working-day dispatch if you buy after 2pm, your stair runner underlay could arrive in as little as 2 to 3 business days. We offer UK delivery across the mainland (with surcharges for the Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, and offshore islands).
Learn more about underlay for stair runners below and place your order online today!
Carpet Runner Underlay Materials
When it comes to stair runner underlay materials, the two most common types to choose from are polyurethane (PU) foam and crumb rubber. These are both environmentally friendly and suitable for use in high-footfall areas like stairs, but each has different benefits:
- PU foam runner underlay – Softer underfoot, better sound and heat insulation
- Crumb rubber runner underlay – High-density, hardwearing and longer-lasting
Foam provides the best padding for stair runners, offering greater comfort and noise reduction, but it can flatten and wear down faster than rubber. Meanwhile, crumb rubber is extremely tough and durable, but it offers less cushioning and thermal and acoustic insulation than foam.
This makes foam underlay a more luxurious choice for homes, while crumb rubber is typically the more reliable option for heavy-duty installations like business premises.
Stair Carpet Runner Underlay Recommendations
If you’re looking for stair runner pads with a bouncier feel underfoot, we would recommend the following PU foam options:
- Tredaire Titanium 8mm Underlay – 39dB sound reduction and 2.22 TOG rating
- Tredaire Brio 8mm Underlay – 32dB sound reduction and 2.18 TOG rating
On the other hand, if you would prefer a denser and stronger solution, we would recommend these crumb rubber products:
- Tredaire Treadmore 7.95mm Underlay – 32dB sound reduction and 1.03 TOG rating
- Duralay Durafit 650 6.5mm Underlay – 29dB sound reduction and 1.10 TOG rating
Our budget-friendly options include Super 8mm PU Foam Underlay for flexible cushioning, or Graphite 6mm PE Foam Underlay (polyethylene foam) for a firmer and more resistant finish.
Most are available in full rolls, half rolls, or mini rolls – use our handy flooring calculator to work out how much underlay you need to buy, then add the rolls to your basket! Should you need help with your order, you can talk to our team by calling 0203 887 0994 or emailing sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Installing underlay isn’t compulsory, but we always recommend it, as this improves comfort and safety and helps the flooring to last longer by reducing wear and tear.
Runners are usually fitted down the middle of the staircase with a smaller section exposed on either side. People often use the runner as a guide to walk up or down the stairs, because it’s more comfortable to walk on and can make it easier to see where you’re stepping.
Since this section is likely to endure the most foot traffic, it’s important to make sure the runner has adequate support. Otherwise, the runner might feel too thin and create too much friction against the carpet directly underneath, wearing it down faster than the surrounding carpet.
Installing carpet padding for stair runner support is also an opportunity to increase the level of acoustic insulation on the stairs, reducing the noise of footsteps.
After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy more comfortable stairs and a quieter atmosphere?
A carpet pad for a stair runner shouldn’t be too thick. Not only can extremely thick flooring be harder to walk on safely, but as the runner won’t cover the full surface of each stair, thicker underlay may be visible from the sides, making your staircase appear untidy.
The best stair runner underlay thickness to achieve optimal support and a neat finish depends on the thickness of the runner and the properties you want it to have.
Generally, we would recommend using a carpet underlay with a thickness of 6mm to 8mm for a runner.
The thinner the underlay, the flatter the runner will lie against the stairs – but 8mm should still be flat enough to be hidden beneath it while offering a bit more support.
The underlay density is also an important factor. The higher the density, the more material is packed into it per cubic metre, making the product more durable. We recommend a runner underlay density of at least 120–150kg/m³ for stairs, which most items in this collection exceed.
Fitting a stair runner and underlay is easy when you follow these steps:
- Clean the staircase and make sure the parts that will be exposed on either side of the runner are in good condition.
- Measure the width of the runner and mark the halfway point with painter’s tape. Do the same for each tread on the staircase.
- Cut your gripper rods to just under the width of the runner (at least 20mm less) so they don’t stick out. Cut your underlay to this same width.
- Position the gripper rods along the back of each tread and riser. Fix them in place with pre-attached pins or adhesive.
- You can measure the depth of each tread and riser and cut individual pieces of underlay for each one, or choose to fold the underlay over them in one piece.
- Lay the underlay in place, starting at the top of the stairs and working your way down. Use adhesive or a staple gun to secure the underlay.
- Repeat the laying process with the runner itself, lining it up over the rods and underlay. Pull the material taut and staple it under the nosing of each step.
- As an optional finishing touch, you could install stair rods or stair carpet runner bars over the runner to help it stay in place.
Remember to remove any painter’s tape after using it to line up the rods, underlay, and runner in the centre of the stair treads and risers!
