Underlay: cheapo options

[mike004]

Any ideas for cheap underlay for a spare room (3m x 3m)?
Proper underlay would cost me about £25. Thats about my total budget for recarpeting the room!

Any ideas? Didn't they use newspaper in the old days?

1970s bungalow, floor boards.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Diyisfun]

Foam backed carpet, dosnt need underlay, lay newspaper first to stop the foam sticking to the floorboards.

 

[mike004]

Sounds good.
Just been down B&Q. Even thin felt or thin white foam as used for laminate flooring is £20 for 10 sq. metres.
The few copies of Metro will turn out cheaper...

Can I use newspaper as underlay for hessian-backed carpet? Or is that a no-no?

Mike

 

[masona]

Can I use newspaper as underlay for hessian-backed carpet? Or is that a no-no?

Mike

I maybe wrong but the hessian carpet will need a underlay to protect the hessian tearing apart (?)

 

[flooringman]

I would suggest going for a felt backed carpet - this incorporates its' own underlay.
I don't think you will find a foam backed carpet as these have now been phased out.

 

[sandwell]

I often wonder if underlay is really necessary. I have been in several old National trust properties where the carpets have been down for generations without an underlay.

I have always thought that it is a prime example of salesmanship, getting added value on a sale by selling underlay.

I would be inclined to use thick brown paper.

 

[WoodYouLike]

I often wonder if underlay is really necessary. I have been in several old National trust properties where the carpets have been down for generations without an underlay.

I think you've answered your own remark Old quality, no cheap modern solutions

 

[breezer]

i disagree, when we had a new carpet (several years ago) we had "suoer duper bouncy" underlay, boy can you tell the difference

 

[2scoops0406]

i disagree, when we had a new carpet (several years ago) we had "suoer duper bouncy" underlay, boy can you tell the difference

That's more information than we need to know

 

[kevplumb]

eddie please