Which underlay to buy ?

WLM21

We're about to get new carpets fitted to four rooms, which (knowing my wife) won't be cheap.

I've seen various internet posts, some quite old though stating that buying underlay directly is a much cheaper option.

One company often mentioned is Tradepriced .. see link below

http://www.tradepriced.co.uk/index.html

Their prices seem quite reasonable.

Has anybody used them before ?

Now, which underlay to choose. Obviously the thicker foams will produce better soundproofing, which is important as we are doing 4 upstairs rooms.

Tredaire and Cloud 9 are mentioned all the time

tlj7

We have just purchased underlay from this company and were very happy with it. I did some research and decided upon Tredair 11mm for our bedroom. Price wise although I opted for next day delivery still worked out far cheaper. Due to the dimensions of our bedroom we ended up buying 2 X 15m sq rolls which was more than we needed but we will keep the excess for another room later on. The carpet fitters were fine about us using our own underlay and it cost us £40 less than the shop quote and we have enough for another room! All fitted and it is lovely, would happily buy again.

G_M

If you're staying the the property for a while (ie not looking for a cheap short term option) then the quality of underlay makes a big difference.

Read upon different types, and choose a good one. where you get it it not important (other than price).

And talk to decent carpet shops - pick their brains. Some shops even offer free underlay with every carpet order. Ask them what kind and then you'll know what to avoid!

phil24_7

I used Tredair Dreamwalk 11mm in 2 of my bedrooms when I renovated them. I will be renovating the remaining bedroom this winter and will be going for the same. I bought it from a local discount store (Trago Mills) as although it worked out slightly more expensive than online prices. I had a local shop to deal with, didn't have to wait for it, and didn't have to buy full rolls (which many suppliers required). They also supplied gripper rods and underlay paper (cuts down massively on dust in old houses) for near enough the same price as online but without any postage costs.

Just a note. It was a little noisy for a while until it bedded in. The paper backing seems to be a bit crinkly/crunchy until I settles and this was made worse as my floors sink in the middle (old Victorian house and the floors have settled) so when the carpet were stretched, they had raised up slightly in some places. They have all long since settled now so there is no more noise from the underlay.

When I do my stairs though, I shall be buying a more heavy duty underlay like a rubber crumb or Axminster underlay.

Regards

Lungboy

Cloud 9 seems to be good stuff, I can't remember if we got the 9mm or 11mm. Got it off ebay.

aylesby

I employ my own carpet fitter and ask him to supply the underlay as a part of the deal. He openly admits they are surplus on a previous job. This has worked well for me but you need to know the prices as a check. Finding a carpet fitter you can trust and work with is a good addition to the tradesmen you return to.

daveyjp

My fitter now uses wool felt for most domestic carpets. Available in different thicknesses and not expensive.

deejaybee

I have used tradepriced for underlay ( dreamwalk 11mm ) and grippers.

Very happy with the quality, service and price. would definitely use them again.

Wassa123

We've used them and they were fine.

Not much to say really, they sell the same products as the carpet shops just cheaper!

TheCyclingProgrammer

We used 11mm Cloud9 throughout upstairs including on the stairs and landing, all from TradePriced.

Very happy with the feel of it (make sure you fit it the right way up with the logo showing) although it does, as my fitter warned, have a tendency to cause it to slip on the grippers a bit. Our fitter had to return and re-tension the stairs and a few other places.

For a slightly firmer feel 10mm contract might be worth a look but it's a bit pricier.