Expert Flooring & Underlay Guides
To make shopping for underlay even easier, our expert team has pulled together some guides that will take you from measuring up your room and stairs, to picking the right type of underlay for your project, to fitting your underlay correctly.
If you still need help, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Service team on contact@simplyunderlay.co.uk.
How to measure a room
Getting your measurements wrong can mean over- or under-ordering materials for your project. Our guide shows you how to measure a room in m² correctly.
How to measure stairs
Measuring stairs is easy if you follow these simple steps. Whether you have half landings, winders or bullnose steps here's how to get the m² right.
How to remove old carpet
Thinking about having your carpet fitter uplift and remove your old carpet? That will cost you. Here's how to do it yourself and save money.
How to remove old carpet gripper
Save fitter costs by removing your old gripper rods yourself. Our guide will show you how to do it in 3 simple steps that anyone can follow.
How to lay carpet underlay
From prepping the subfloor to installing carpet grippers to laying the underlay, our step-by-step guide will teach you how to fit carpet underlay.
How to fit underlay on stairs
We’ll show you step-by-step how to fit your staircase with underlay – whether you’re laying a full-width carpet or a runner.
How to fit carpet gripper
Our easy, step-by-step will show you how to install carpet gripper in rooms and on stairs, saving you money and time when it comes to fitting.
How to fit a carpet like a professional
Fitting a carpet yourself might feel like a daunting task, but with the right guidance and tools, a competent DIY'er could do it.
How to fit a full stairs carpet
Whether you’ve got a standard or complex staircase, we’ll guide you through the entire fitting process.
How to install a stair runner
Fitting a stair runner is something any competent DIY'er can do. Our step by step guide will help you achieve a professional finish.
How much does it cost to lay a carpet?
Based on the latest UK average costs, this guide will give you a better idea of what you should be paying for carpet fitting – before you get any quotes.
How much does it cost to lay laminate?
Based on the latest UK average costs, this guide will give you a better idea of what you should be paying for laminate fitting – before you get any quotes.
How to remove old laminate flooring
A step-by-step guide to removing your old laminate flooring without damaging the boards, allowing you to reinstall it elsewhere.
How to lay laminate underlay
Save money on fitting by installing your laminate underlay yourself. Here's how to prepare the subfloor and lay the underlay correctly.
How to lay laminate flooring
Our easy to follow guide will show you how to lay laminate flooring and achieve a professional finish. Any competent DIY'er can do this to save money.
Which way up does underlay go?
Our in-house expert details which way up your underlay should be fitted, whether it's carpet or laminate, foam, rubber or foil backed.
How to level a wooden floor for carpet or laminate
It's imperative your subfloor is smooth and level before laying new flooring. Here's how to level an uneven wood floor in 5 easy steps.
An expert guide to door threshold strips
Everything you need to know about door bars, including the different types available and the right one for your flooring.
The accessories you need with a new carpet
These all-important accessories are designed to help your flooring look great and last longer.
Carpet Underlay Guides
The best carpet underlays for 2025
Learn how to choose the ideal carpet underlay with our comprehensive guide, featuring expert tips and top picks for every home.
The best carpet underlays for stairs
When carpeting stairs, selecting the right underlay can make a significant difference in terms of comfort, durability and noise reduction.
Budget carpet underlays that are great value for money
These carpet underlays are all priced under £4m² but still deliver comfort, insulation, noise reduction and durability. Genuine bargains.
The best underlays for concrete floors
These underlays are ideal for installing over concrete subfloors, helping negate their cold hard feeling while preventing moisture ingression.
The best acoustic underlays for sound reduction
If it feels like you’re living with a herd of elephants, these acoustic underlays will help create a quieter, more peaceful home.
The best underlays for bedroom carpets
These carpet underlays combine high TOG values and excellent sound reduction to help turn your bedroom into a cosy and peaceful sanctuary.
The best underfloor heating underlays
Our expert guide breaks down the importance of TOG rating and showcases the best underfloor heating underlays on the market for all flooring types.
The best underlays for living room carpets
Your living room should be a warm, comfortable and inviting space to relax. Each of these carpet underlays will ensure your lounge is just that.
The carpet underlay brands you can trust
These carpet underlay brands are the best on the market - recommended by fitters, customers and retailers alike. Don't buy anything else.
How to choose the right carpet underlay
It might not be the most exciting purchase you'll make when renovating, but it's one of the most important. So it pays to get it right.
The benefits of carpet underlay
Carpet underlay offers multiple important benefits, from making your carpet last longer to reducing heat loss and noise.
Types of carpet underlay
Our experts break down the key types of carpet underlay and detail their unique benefits to help you pick the right one for your home.
A guide to carpet underlay thickness
Thicker isn't always better. Here's how do determine just how thick your carpet underlay should be.
The complete guide to thermal/insulating underlay
Do you suffer from cold floors and rooms that never stay warm? Thermal underlay could be the solution.
The complete guide to PU foam underlay
Our expert guide covers the benefits of PU underlay, selection tips and the best products on the market for all budgets.
Laminate Underlay Guides
The best laminate underlays for 2025
Learn how to choose the ideal laminate underlay with our comprehensive guide, featuring expert tips and top picks for every home.
How to choose the right underlay for your laminate flooring
Our experts help you choose the perfect underlay for your laminate flooring. Includes the key types of underlay available, and the best products on the market.
Types of laminate flooring underlay
Our experts break down the key types of laminate flooring underlay and detail their unique benefits to help you pick the right one for your home.
The benefits of laminate underlay
It's able to reduce noise, increase comfort and extend the lifespan of your flooring. Here's why you should never go without laminate underlay.
A guide to laminate underlay thickness
The pros and cons of various laminate underlay thickness to help you make the right choice for your home.
Laminate flooring: pre-attached vs separate underlay
Installing underlay is crucial to achieve the best laminate flooring finish. But should you opt for pre-attached or separate underlay? Here's our expert verdict.
Care & Maintenance
How to soundproof a floor
Here are 6 proven ways to soundproof your floors to help reduce impact and airborne noise.
How to insulate a floor
We detail the right way to insulate your floors, whether they are suspended timber or concrete. Reduce heat loss by up to 20% and save £145 a year!
How to make your carpet last longer
Tips and tricks we've learned from professional fitters and carpet cleaners to help your carpet look its best for years to come.
An expert guide to stair rods
Everything you need to know about stair rods, helping you make the right choice for your home.
Common Questions
How thick is carpet and underlay combined?
Picking underlay and carpet that's too thick can create issues when it comes to finished floor height. So it pays to know average thicknesses before you buy.
What underlay thickness is best for stairs?
Go too thin and you sacrifice comfort and noise reduction. Go too thick and you you sacrifice longevity while creating a safety hazard. Here's the sweet spot.
How thick is laminate flooring and underlay combined?
Here's exactly how thick laminate flooring and underlay is combined, so you can avoid any issues with finished floor height.
How much is carpet underlay?
The key factors affecting the price of carpet underlay, how much you should spend and hidden costs you may not have considered.
How long does carpet underlay last?
Carpet underlay can last 20 years or more, but multiple factors influence this.
How long does carpet last?
What affects a carpet’s longevity, signs that you need a new one, and how to make your next one last longer.
Do you need underlay for carpet?
We provide the definitive answer to this common query, including scenarios when underlay is not strictly required.
Do you need underlay for a stair runner?
Do you really need carpet underlay for a stair runner, or can you go without to save some cash? Here's the definitive answer.
Do you need underlay for laminate flooring?
Do you really need underlay for laminate, or can you go without to save some cash? Our expert article provides a truthful answer.
Do you need underlay for vinyl/lino flooring?
If you're installing vinyl/lino sheet flooring you may be surprised as to whether you need to install an underlay beneath it. Here's our honest answer.
Can you use carpet underlay for laminate flooring?
The definitive answer as to whether you can use carpet underlay under laminate flooring, and the benefits of a specialist laminate underlay.
How do you stop rugs slipping on carpet?
We offer 6 effective ways to stop your rugs from slipping on carpet, from specialist anti-slip underlay to grips and pins.