Underlay is an important factor that needs to be thought about when choosing carpet, good quality underlay can prolong the life of your carpet, whilst also ensuring even wear and comfortability
Over time your carpet is likely to show signs of general wear.
It is important to choose the right style of carpet for your requirements to ensure longevity. We recommend you purchase new underlay when buying a new carpet, it can prolong the life of your carpet by up to 40%.
Some signs that your carpet flooring needs a revamp are listed below:
Caring for your carpet can extend its life, however carpet that endures high levels of footfall will naturally need replacing at some point.
Measuring the area of flooring required for stairs is highly significant to get your requested outcome. Carpet comes in standard widths (4m & 5m), so you should expect some waste from certain areas. Waste can be used in other areas if the sizes allow.
To measure your area, please follow the directions below:
Alternatively for accurate, hassle-free measurements why not book a free (subject to location and congestion charge zones) site inspection? Our experts will provide you with measurements, guidance, and advice. Book your estimate here (Insert link for book an estimate), send us your request info@floordirectltd.co.uk or call us on 208 616 0508.
Staircases can be difficult. Some steps come straight or in triangular shapes called winders and bull noses which are usually at the very bottom of a staircase. Please share the number of steps per category and send them along with the other sizes, so we can work it out how many sqm is needed, plus always remember to add an extra 10% for waste and margin of error –
If the pile of the carpet has been disturbed, it may result in your carpet may showing footprints or compression marks, carpets with a deep pile will inevitably and naturally bend during use.
When the carpet is being used, the pile of the carpet may get altered. A variation in colouring of light and dark patches may be visible depending on the angle the pile runs in within the room.
This is common with deep pile Saxony carpets.
There are two main reasons as to why there might be a line running along the length of your new carpet.
Most man-made/ synthetic carpets are great as pet hair or dirty paw traces tends to sit on top of the carpet, making it much easier to vacuum, and they are also bleach cleanable.
A carpet made from 100% polypropylene is stain resistant so any muddy paw prints or little accidents can be easily cleaned up.
When it comes to carpets, we recommend those with a short pile. Keep in mind that you should consider a shorter loop carpet as taller loops can sometimes snag and get caught on your pets' claws.
A carpet tog rating basically tells you how good it is at insulation. The higher a carpet's tog rating, the better it'll be for insulation and heat, so we advise you to choose a carpet with a high tog rating if you'll be laying it over draughty wooden floorboards!
Underlay also has a tog rating, so this could be a combination of a high tog carpet and a low tog underlay, or vice versa.
When looking at the tog rating you should take into consideration underfloor heating, if applicable please call us to get an advice and help you choosing the tog rating and underlay.
There are many options when it comes to underlay, and the experts at Floor Direct can help you decide which underlay is best!
Carpet underlay comes in a variety of different materials, including recycled PU foam and sponge rubber, as well as a range of thicknesses. Our carpet underlay ranges from 8mm - 12mm, so make sure you choose a thicker underlay for a room with higher footfall.
Underlay provides support for your carpet and helps enhance its performance.
| Vinyl Sheet | Lino (linoleum) | |
| Base Construction | PVC synthetic materials | Natural antibacterial and biodegradable |
| Designs | Variety of colours and patterns | Fewer and Limited |
Busy homes like vinyl flooring because it requires less upkeep. Because of its resilience, this flooring won't be harmed by moisture, mould, or mildew.
Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of styles and is reasonably priced. While some designs include vibrant and vivid patterns, others imitate more expensive flooring alternatives like wood, marble, granite, etc. As a less expensive alternative to the real laminate flooring vinyl sheet sometimes comes in designs that mimic the appearance of wood flooring or stone impression tiles.
Vinyl has a plush texture and may be purchased with a slip-resistant surface, making it perfect for homes with young children, elderly relatives, or pets. Due to its scratch-resistant top layer, laminate flooring offers a more substantial feel underfoot and is suitable for places with heavy usage.
Our selection of vinyl flooring is water resistant as well, making it the perfect option for moist parts of the house, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Both flooring alternatives are rather inexpensive, but before choosing, it's crucial to take your home's demands into account.
| Vinyl Sheet | LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles) - Click | |
| Look | Available in a wide range of hues, patterns, and style. | Realistic-looking patterns that resemble stone, ceramic, and hardwood. |
| Installation | Laid in one or two sheets to minimise seams. | Tiles may be arranged in any desired design, making it unique to any fitted area. |
| Requires professional installation. | Fast installation & if a repair is necessary, tile replacement is undetectable | |
| Free Laying or with spray adhesive for 20m2 and above | Floating Click system | |
| Sub floor | Smooth and perfect. | Can overcome minor imperfections |
| Underlay | No | Yes, and sometimes comes rigid with a built in |
Some signs that your carpet flooring needs a revamp are listed below:
Caring for your carpet can extend its life, however carpet that endures high levels of footfall will naturally need replacing at some point.
Our vinyls range in thickness from 2 to 4.3 millimetres. Though the wear layer thickness matters more than the overall thickness. Since there is more air inside thicker vinyl, it will be more cushioned underfoot, but if it is in a heavy traffic location, it will compress over time.
A thinner vinyl with a thicker wear layer would be the more durable choice.
Vinyl wear layer is a transparent top surface that gives vinyl flooring longevity, stain resistance, and scratch resistance.
You must first assess how the flooring will be used to choose the best wear layer for you. To appreciate the design of your new flooring for many years to come, you should think about a thicker wear layer if you have children, pets, or there is a lot of foot activity in your home.
The fact that vinyl flooring is so simple to maintain is only one of its many advantages. Vinyl flooring's durability enables it to handle the everyday rigours of family life and high-traffic areas without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
To keep your vinyl flooring looking brand-new, just sweep or vacuum it every evening, clear up any possible spills immediately away, and sometimes use a moist (not sopping) mop and a light detergent to clean it.
Vinyl flooring is susceptible to wear and tear, just like all other forms of flooring, from little scratches to significant rips and tears.
Major rips and tears can render the sealants and adhesives useless, causing the vinyl tiles to curl up and lose their ability to attach to the floor. Water damage can cause the material to bubble up in various places.
Vinyl is one of our top options for pet-friendly flooring since it often resists scuffs and scratches caused by muddy dogs with enthusiastic paws, but it is by no means impervious.
| Vinyl Sheet | Lino (linoleum) | |
| Base Construction | PVC synthetic materials | Natural antibacterial and biodegradable |
| Designs | Variety of colours and patterns | Fewer and Limited |
Subfloor is the floor surface on which the flooring is laid. There are many different types of subfloors, such as wood planks, screeds, and concrete, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. If the subfloor is in poor condition, it should be repaired or replaced before the new laminate floor is installed.
Subfloor is the floor surface on which the flooring is laid. There are many different types of subfloors, such as wood planks, screeds, and concrete, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. If the subfloor is in poor condition, it should be repaired or replaced before the new laminate floor is installed.
A good subfloor should be dry, smooth, and free of dirt or residues, otherwise, the imperfections will be reflected in the underlying flooring.
Floor Direct suggests hiring a professional flooring expert to install your new laminate flooring so that it has the greatest finish possible.
If you choose to hire any of our independent fitters that we deal with as third-party partners, you will receive the ideal fit and finish.
Laminate flooring must bend and move since it is a floating flooring surface. Installing laminate underlay may improve your floor's comfort while also lowering noise in the space. Laminate underlay comes in different specs and thickness. Although laminate underlay is significantly thinner than carpet underlay, it may have a significant impact on how well your flooring performs. Our laminate underlay comes in different options, some are made of PE foam to promote airflow beneath your laminate flooring, decrease moisture buildup, and assist soften the acoustics for a more tranquil house. Another laminate underlay is designed for underfloor heating is also available, and it has a reflective backing for superior insulation and others have sound impact features for less a noise impact. Please check our laminate underlay options under accessories and choose the right one for you.
Your laminate flooring might look better when it's done and last longer if you use underlay.
Laminate is extremely simple to maintain! Every evening, just sweep or vacuum your laminate flooring, and clean up any possible spills straight away. You'll need a cleaning solution if you want to make sure your laminate flooring is pristine after it has been vacuumed and dusted-free.
Avoid using a wet mop or steam cleaning on laminate flooring since it is made of wood and doesn't like moisture or water.
As a wood-based floor, laminate is not the ideal option for damp spaces like kitchens since the wood warps in the presence of moisture. Having said that, we do have a selection of laminate that is water-resistant with a Hydroshield layer for a better protection and suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms.
Underlay is a thin layer of padding laid underneath flooring. It is made of substances like sponge rubber, foam, felt, crumb rubber, or recycled plastic. Different flooring use different underlays and it isn't a one size fits all matter. There is a large variety with different specifications.
Underlay is installed to provide comfort underfoot, lessen carpet wear, and provide insulation against sound, moisture, and heat.
If the flooring type you choose recommends underlay, please note that it should not be considered an optional extra, it is a very key element to the nature of the final finishing result, feel and wear of your flooring. Some of the main features of underlay are:
The right underlay will increase the comfort of your flooring whilst also improving the longevity.
Most of our underlay will act as a sound barrier due to it being an additional layer of material. However, we do have options that are specifically used for the purpose of noise reduction.
Both the sub-floor and top flooring need to be carefully considered when choosing underlay for noise reduction:
