So you’ve purchased your new carpet padding underlay, but before you fit it, there are a few things to consider.
We would always recommend having your new underlayment fitted professionally. If you fancy yourself as a DIY expert, however, there are a few things you should know before you start.
Duct tape can be used for underlayment and benefits from advantages, such as the fact that it’s cheap and readily available.
On the other hand, there are several different specialised underlayment tapes available. Each tape has a unique function. It is vital to ensure that you have the correct equipment for your project.
Underlayment tapes which are commonly used for carpet underlay include; carpet tape, cloth tape, multiline tape, mushroom tape, premier tapes, and seaming tapes.
Vinyl underlayment, however, requires different tapes. Frequently used vinyl underlayment tapes include vinyl floor tape and PMR vinyl flooring tape.
There are multiple specialist underlayment tapes with specific functions. These include vapour tape, waterproof cloth tape, seam well tape, and multiline tape.
A self-adhesive seaming tape for use with many underlays. This tape helps to create a vapour barrier within your underlay.
This vapour barrier will help in damp proofing your underlayment, meaning that condensation and damp are less likely to damage your flooring and underlayment.
As well as this, Vapour Tape is especially useful for creating super-strong underlayment joins.
This tape has an extremely aggressive adhesive, making it the perfect underlay tape for use with stretch installations.
This underlayment tape is water and weatherproof and can be used as a moisture barrier for your underlayment.
Seaming tape is useful for a variety of underlayments. This tape can be used alongside hardwood floors, floating floors, vinyl, and carpet.
Seaming tape is incredibly simple to use and helps to act as a moisture barrier, further protecting your underlayment from damp.
Seamwell underlayment tape is ideal for more heavy-duty use.
The seamwell tape is specifically designed to be used with more challenging backings, such as the Action- Bac, which can be rigid and uneven.
This underlay tape is recommended for areas with high volumes of traffic.
Multiline underlayment tape is a widely used tape. This tape is perfectly paired with traditional backed carpets.
The multiline tape is sealed by heating the adhesive and is best used in areas with a moderate volume of traffic.
A floating floor is an installation technique that does not necessarily require any adhesive to install. Floating floors often snap together unfixed, relying on their weight and the walls of the room to keep them in place.
Floating floors work best when they are laid over an underlayment. Not only does the underlay help to make the floor more comfortable underfoot, improve the heat insulation, and help to reduce sound, it also helps the floating floor remain in its place.
The underlayment and the wooden floor will be attached using underlayment tape. This will stop the floating floor from moving underfoot.
It is important to ensure that the floating floor is sealed using a high-quality underlayment tape. This creates a moisture barrier, in turn protecting your flooring.
