If you are of the opinion that is important to pamper your feet all the time then it is very important you factor carpeting into your costing at the beginning of your interior design project and not as an afterthought. All too often, homeowners cut corners when it comes to what’s under their feet.
The thickness and quality of the underlay you choose will determine how much more plush and luxurious you carpet will feel under your feet.
Often when most people are insulating their homes, they insulate the roof space, double glaze the windows but forget to insulate the floors. If the rest of the room is insulated, the floor becomes a thermal weak point. Remember an un-insulated sub floor can absorb up to 30% of your home's heating. Floor boards often let in drafts from the under floor through airbrick ventilation that needs to be there to allow the timbers to dry out and to ventilate the under floor cavity.
Using quality underlay for your carpet gives the carpet a softer feel than lower quality underlay and is quite effective for timber floors which are sometimes particularly draughty. Draughty floorboards leak more heat than an un-lagged loft. A solid ground floor is more difficult to insulate retrospectively.
So insulating your floors with quality underlay will not only keep you warmer in the winter but also cooler in the summer and ensure that walking on air feel we covet so much. This would help you keep your heating bills down and sometimes will even remove musty smells where present. Underlay, just like the foundations of your home, the insulation, wiring and pipe work, is crucial. It is a detail that while unseen will make your home all the more comfortable to live in.
Underlay protects the carpet making it easier to clean and therefore more hygienic. Vacuum cleaning is more efficient with underlay since most machines ‘lift’ the carpet to provide air circulation, thus insuring maximum cleaning power. This can also help reduce the grinding action of embedded dirt that can cut and damage carpet fibres. Quality underlay is particularly useful on uneven floors. Most carpet underlay is designed to reduce airborne noise which is often a nuisance. Independent testing has shown that an impact sound reduction down to 34Db is easily achievable with the underlay alone. When combined with a carpet, this sound level will, be reduced even further.
Choosing the right underlay will depend largely on your budget and your considerations for your comfort. You will also need to factor in how much foot traffic your carpet will be getting. Businesses will want durability over comfort whereas a quiet home may prefer comfort over a highly durable underlay. You will also want to consider the carpet you are putting on top. If you are choosing an expensive carpet, like a wool carpet, you will want an underlay that protects it as much as possible.
Pampering your feet indoors must be a priority in your home.
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