Do I need to use underlay?

Question

I am going to lay a carpet using double sided carpet tape but wondered if I should stick the carpet straight to the floorboards or should I use underlay and stick the underlay to the floorboards and place the carpet on top?

The floor is already stripped and polished but I want to put down a carpet without ruining the floorboards.

Answer 1

Hey, my dad and boyfriend are carpet fitters and you only need to use underlay if the carpet has a hessian backing, if it is a felt back carpet you wont need underlay. One more tip, if your going to stick the carpet down instead of using tape you can get a spray glue which is stronger and easier to use.

Hope this helps,

Amy

Answer 2

Yes I would use an underlay for your carpet. Keep it a couple of inches away from the wall(the width of your carpet tape) then lay carpet on top and apply tape around edges and stick carpet to tape.
Good Luck
Thanks for picking my answer as "best answer" to your previous question

Answer 3

Floorboards? Are you talking about a hardwood floor you want to cover with carpet? I would restore the hardwood floors and buy throw rugs to place in appropriate spots. I certainly would not cover a hardwood floor.

As for underlayment you want continuously flat and clean. Builders install carpeting directly over the slab. Of course they first put down the pad then the carpet. I would pull that carpet up and install tile. As long as the cement is flat and clean, no bumps, etc, you just lay the tile on it. Again, you put throw rugs in appropriate spots.

Carpet gets old and in time you will have to rip it out anyway. Boo on carpet. Wink.

Answer 4

Definitely use an underlay. The best quality you can afford. You will gain benefits from insulation properties and the carpet will be much softer to walk on. It will also increase the durability of your carpet by preventing wear.

Answer 5

I'd use and underlay, unless your carpet has one 'built in' it will be nicer to walk on and last longer. Because floorboards aren't completely flat, over time, any lumps and bumps will ruin your carpet.

Answer 6

If your goal is to preserve the floorboards underneath--DO NOT USE ANYTHING UNDER CARPET. The reason is that once you put pad down, it must be stapled and the carpet needs tack strips to be streched tight. If you are trying to avoid staples or tack strips into original floor, simply lay carpet without pad and use carpet tape. If you use pad it must be tacked down or it will wrinkle and bunch up.

Answer 7

yes use underlay ,but dont stick it :: staple it down (leaving a gap at the skirting board the width of the tape !,then use the tape to fix the carpet at the edges !!

Answer 8

it will make your carpet last longer. go on my hubby theory if underlay will cost more than carpet dont bother. It also keeps heat in.If you do lay underlay you need to use proper carpet bars not sticky tape.

Answer 9

confident it could be clever to have a damp data membrane on a concrete or screed floor.Damp can come via a concrete layer.Then your underlay,the two in rolls or in fibre squares.verify it is all point earlier the laminate is going down.

Answer 10

Hi

Use underlay but I would install laminate flooring , easier to clean and less germs