Foam Chip or Rubber Carpet Underlay

Carpet Underlay Pads in Auckland

carpet padsCarpet underlay or carpet pad is essential for adding softness and warmth to your flooring. After a flood, the professional team at Auckland Steam ‘n’ Dry ensures proper underlay replacement to restore comfort and durability.

What Type of Carpet Pads Should You Choose?

In a situation, choosing a rejoin (as explained below) is the preferred option. However, there are instances where opting for rebond padding might lead to overpayment or, worse, void your warranty.

Furthermore, a carpet pad is a spongy sheet placed beneath your carpet. It is typically cut slightly smaller to fit within the tack strip, which ensures the carpet is secure.

What about other options like foam underlay, fibre underlay pads, or rubber? These alternatives might also be suitable choices.

Foam Chip Carpet Pads

A foam chip is produced by blowing gas into a heated, liquid chemical mixture. When it dries, the foam rubber is porous and spongy, and the gas trapped within the urethane foam gives it excellent insulative properties. The same material is used to cushion furniture, mattresses and car seats.

Furthermore, installers secure the carpet pads to the subfloor using either staples or glue and connect sections of padding with specialised tape. The Professional Carpet Layers at Auckland Steam n Dry Services 1988 have accumulated over three decades of experience in working with carpet underlays, along with providing repair and cleaning services. Indeed, Auckland Steam n Dry works to high industry standards. But, of course, it depends on your situation, so below, I give you the pros and cons of each figure out which will work best in your home.

Pros and Cons of Prime Foam in Choosing Carpet Pads or Carpet Underlay

Are you being offered free carpet underlay? It might seem like a good deal, but you should probably reconsider. Foam padding doesn’t provide adequate durability, and your carpet won’t hold up well in the long run.

Professional carpet layers at Auckland Steam n Dry 1988 often advise and utilise foam chips in cases involving flooded carpets. However, there are only a few scenarios where foam underlay is suitable for your home: rooms that see minimal use or areas where you don’t require the carpet to last more than four years.

Waffle Rubber Underlay

Waffle rubber was once a standard carpet underlay, but it’s not as popular now. These underlays were made from a spongy foam rubber material moulded to create a waffle-like texture with hills and valleys. The carpet sits on top of the raised areas, letting the carpet rest partly on air. This air cushion makes your carpet feel softer, but waffle rubber is sometimes too weak for modern rugs. It doesn’t provide enough support and lets the carpet’s backing wear and crack as it moves.

Rubber Slab Carpet Underlay Pads

Flat rubber was long considered the premium carpet underlay, particularly in commercial double-stuck installations recommended by professional carpet layers. Though composed of the same material as waffle rubber, flat rubber underlay requires no moulding and no air pockets in its production. The carpet pads are solid and heavy, so they aren’t as soft as some underlays. But they are long-lasting and give the carpet good support.

Fibre Cushion Underlays

Fibre is the oldest type of carpet cushion. The tanning industry produced it as a byproduct of animal hair. The strands were pressed into a felt mat, which could be impregnated with rubber. Today, manufacturers commonly use synthetic fibres like nylon to make fibre cushions. As hair became less available, they started using other materials like jute and recycled textile fibres.

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Auckland Steam ‘n’ Dry Area Phone Numbers

Auckland Central 09 3767007         

North Shore         09 489 7784        

South Auckland   09 262 0720               

West Auckland    09 8374545         

Eastern Bays      09 520 0062           

Hibiscus Coast   09 426 5008

In addition, Graeme Stephens, an IICRC-certified 2001 Master Restoration Technician, provided the above carpet underlay information. To help you make an informed decision. For professional carpet repairs and laying services, phone 0800 110 282 or email us.

Updated Last: 04 April 2025;  By Graeme Stephens.

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