Install Acoustic Underlay for Soundproofing Under Carpet
As the name suggests, the main advantage of acoustic underlay is that it provides acoustic insulation for flooring. Typically made from PU foam or wool felt, it absorbs sound vibrations, minimising unwanted echoes and impact noises within the room and reducing the transmission of noise throughout the building.
Aside from its acoustic properties, soundproofing carpet underlay also improves the underfoot comfort of the flooring. Thanks to its thick construction, the additional layer of insulation offers superior thermal protection and extra support, making carpets feel cosier and more comfortable to walk on.
Suitable for use in a diverse range of rooms in both the home and workplace, soundproof underlay for carpet is also incredibly easy to install.
Order soundproof carpet underlay online today
We have a wide range of acoustic-rated carpet underlay available in our online shop, including our leading product, Wilsons Plushwalk 12mm, with the highest rating of 49dB.
Simply browse the collection and place your order today, or get in touch first if you need help choosing the best acoustic underlay for your home or business.
To enhance the soundproofing of a room even further, you may also be interested in installing decorative sound-reducing panelling on the walls. Paired with underlay to reduce impact noise, our acoustic wall panelling can help to reduce the transmission of airborne sound, too, while improving your wall décor at the same time.
If you still have any questions after reading our FAQs, our team is always happy to help – just call us on 0203 887 0994 or send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk!
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding an extra insulating layer between the carpet and the subfloor, sound-deadening carpet underlay absorbs the impact of footsteps across the floor, reducing the transmission of sound vibrations. While it’s less effective at reducing airborne sounds, the cushioning layer still helps to reduce noise transfer between floors.
To achieve this, acoustic carpet underlay is normally made from a thick material like foam, which absorbs sound energy through an open-cell structure and stores it as heat energy, or sponge rubber, which has a closed-cell structure but works similarly. Generally, the greater the thickness, the more insulating the underlay is.
Of course, the acoustic rating matters more than just the thickness, as acoustic underlays can be the same thickness but have different sound reduction ratings due to different materials or densities. The products in our acoustic carpet underlay collection range from around 9mm to 12mm thick, with approximate ratings from 40dB to 49dB.
The effectiveness of acoustic underlay is measured in decibels (dB) – the higher the dB rating, the better its acoustic properties. While the minimum rating for impact noise should be at least 17dB, a high-performance acoustic carpet underlay should be able to reduce impact noise by up to 36dB and above.
Ideally, the best carpet underlay for noise reduction will have a decibel rating from around the 40dB+ mark upwards. At Carpet Underlay Shop, we supply a selection of different soundproof underlays that meet these criteria, including several products with ratings of 45dB or higher.
Our best noise-cancelling carpet underlay in this range is the Plushwalk 12mm Carpet Underlay. As a 5* memory foam acoustic underlay with an impact sound reduction of approximately 49dB and a 3.5 TOG rating, not only does it significantly reduce noise, but it also creates a soft ‘bounce back’ effect and has outstanding thermal properties.
We also recommend the Super Velvet Wool & Crumb Rubber Underlay. Constructed from eco-friendly wool fibres and a crumb rubber base, it’s naturally good at absorbing sound, whilst also being kind to the environment. In addition to an impact sound reduction rating of 48dB, it exhibits excellent heat insulation properties with a 3.6 TOG rating.
For help finding the best sound-reducing carpet underlay that also provides luxurious softness and cushioning underfoot, feel free to talk to our team.
The best places to benefit from carpet underlay sound insulation include:
- High-traffic areas such as hallways, staircases, and landings
- Upstairs bedrooms and home offices for quiet, private zones
- Over timber or concrete subfloors that will otherwise conduct sound
- Multi-storey apartments/flats to keep neighbouring spaces separate
- Commercial spaces with regular foot traffic, such as offices or hotels
Of course, you can choose to install acoustic carpet underlay in any room with a carpeted floor where you’re concerned about noise transfer.
For example, you could create a private games room, gym room, lounge, or den in a domestic residence with underlay that helps to stop noise from spreading through the rest of the house – or use specialist underlay to minimise noise in communal areas like break rooms or meeting rooms in an office building.
If you aren’t sure whether soundproof carpet underlay is right for your space, or which one to use, you can always contact us for advice.
If you’re wondering how to stop laminate floors from creaking, you shouldn’t go straight to ordering carpet padding for sound absorption.
This is because you need the right acoustic-rated laminate underlay for your flooring. While carpet underlay noise reduction is typically higher because the underlay is thicker to produce a spongier, cushioned feel underfoot, laminate, wood, and vinyl flooring types require different levels of support and insulation.
Outside of this acoustic carpet underlay collection, you can find acoustic underlay for different flooring types on our website, including:
Acoustic Wood or Laminate Underlay:
- Royale Silver Wood Underlay – 18dB
- XPS Underlay – 21dB
- TimberTech2 Silver Plus Underlay – 21dB
- TimberHush Silver Underlay – 22dB
- TimberHush Excel Underlay – 22dB
- 5mm Fibreboard Underlay – 23dB
- Duralay SilentFloor Gold Underlay – 24dB
- Royale 5mm Sonic Gold Foil Underlay – 24dB
- Cloud 9 Cush n Wood Underlay – 25dB
- 7mm Fibreboard Underlay – 26dB
- Royale Supreme 6mm Gold Foil Underlay – 26dB
- Royale 7mm Professional Sonic Gold Underlay – 37dB
Acoustic Vinyl Underlay:
