Underlay quality - sound reduction and warmth

SaveSomeMore_2

I've had a carpet quote with basic underlay (7mm) factored in, or I can upgrade to 11mm but for a couple of hundred (I've looked at ordering myself online and with delivery its roughly the same).

I'm tempted to upgrade but have a few questions.

From what I've seen most thinner underlays have 1.0-1.5 tog ratings, whilst the thicker ones are usually 3.0. Does this make a big/noticeable difference to heat retention in the house? If I could recoup some of the cost of the underlay through energy savings this would soften the blow.

And would thicker underlay have more or less of of an effect depending on where it is used - i.e. ground floor/first floor, rooms next to the outside wall v internal rooms?

Is there a big difference on sound dampening from the thicker ones also, they show as 30db+ compared to 20db for the thinner ones - is this a noticeable difference (I'm quite noisy so would like something to keep the volume down).

karlos_the_jackal

The quality of underlay is arguably more important than that of the carpet you're laying on top of it.

Don't scrimp. Go for the 11mm. Tredaire Dreamwalk or Cumulus Cloud 9. Your house will be warmer, quieter and it will feel noticeably better underfoot.

phil24_7

What he said. I have the Treadaire Dreamwalk 11mm in all of my bedrooms paired with a decent pile. It's like walking on a mattress!

Chanes

We had Cloud Nine fitted to all bedrooms as underlay. Makes massive difference underfoot.

tb4100

Agree with all the above ordered cumulus cloud 9 11 mil on line and had it fitted in all my rooms , wonderful to walk on x

phil24_7

I can also say that after 4 years it still feels like new.