Foam backed carpet & uneven floorboards

quietly

I have a dilemma. We've been redecorating a bedroom that hasn't been lived in for a few years, and I'm at the point of addressing the floor. The old floorboards are uneven, but I've added nails to stop the creaking ones--but to answer the most obvious question, we can't afford to lay new floorboards.

My dilemma is:
do I put back the old carpet (about 10-14 years old) which was a fairly expensive Hessian backed one that has aged very well. There was no underlay, and it is worn at the back in 2 places, but the carpet side looks lovely for the most part...it just needs cleaning badly, which I almost did today, but couldn't muster the energy.

or

do I use some less expensive foam backed carpet we bought new when we moved in the house but never cleared the room it was intended for. I love the colour, but upon reading various threads on carpets & underlay, I am concerned about things. I understand it shouldn't need an underlay, but with the state of the floorboards, I would prefer not feeling the ridges when I walk barefoot. We did carpet a smaller room a few years ago with an even cheaper foam back and no underlay, and I dislike walking in there in thin slippers (its his study, so I don't get to go in much anyway!)

Am I going on too much? Do I clean the old carpet & use it as the underlay for the new foam backed one? The real problem is the expense...and timing, as I was supposed to have it all done by Friday night!

Please help me...I'm at the end of my rope...

Thank you for your time!

Heath_Robinson

you could pin sheets of hardboard over the floor to give a nice flat surface, then lay the new carpet.
guide here:
http://www.technosolution.co.uk/diy/building/hardboard/layinghardboard.htm

you can get sheets that will easily fit in the back of a car for about £1.50 from places like B&Q etc.

Or you could rent a floor sander for the day and have at it?

woodbutcher_2

Was also going to suggest hardboard.

robby-01

so was I ....