Underlay Fitting in Exeter
Professional underlay fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160+
Typical Duration
1.5-3+ hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Underlay fitted properly under carpet or laminate flooring. Laid flat, joins taped, no lumps or gaps - makes your floor feel better and last longer.
Underlay is one of those things people skimp on or rush, then wonder why their expensive carpet feels rubbish or their laminate clicks and creaks. Good underlay makes flooring feel more solid, last longer, and stay quieter. Fitting it properly means laying it flat, taping joins so they don't shift, and using the right type for your floor.
Why Underlay Matters
Comfort - Makes carpet feel softer and laminate feel less hollow underfoot. Cheap thin underlay feels like walking on concrete; good stuff makes budget flooring feel premium.
Insulation - Keeps heat in and reduces noise between floors. Thicker acoustic underlay is brilliant for upstairs bedrooms.
Floor Longevity - Protects the floor backing from the subfloor underneath, absorbs impact, and prevents premature wear. A good underlay can double the life of your carpet.
Smooths Imperfections - Covers minor bumps and dips in the subfloor so they don't show through your flooring.
Types of Underlay
| Type | Best For | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Foam Carpet Underlay | Budget carpet, spare rooms | Cheap, decent comfort, wears faster |
| Felt/Rubber Underlay | Quality carpet, high traffic | Denser, longer-lasting, better soundproofing |
| Laminate Foam Underlay | Laminate, engineered wood | Thin foam with moisture barrier, reduces hollow sound |
| Acoustic Underlay | Upstairs rooms, flats | Thick, dense, excellent soundproofing |
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| Done Right | Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Underlay flat with no wrinkles or folds | Lumpy underlay, bumps show through floor |
| Joins taped securely, no gaps or overlaps | Gaps between sheets, overlaps you can feel |
| Correct side up (rubber down for foam) | Wrong side up, doesn't perform properly |
| Trimmed neatly between gripper rods | Underlay too long, bunches up at edges |
What You Get
| What's Included |
|---|
| Assessment of floor type and underlay needed |
| Underlay supply (if required) |
| Laying flat across entire floor area |
| Joins taped securely with underlay tape |
| Trimming to fit neatly between grippers (carpet) |
| Clean-up and disposal of packaging |
Pricing Guide
| Time Required | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 1.5 hours | £85 |
| 2 hours | £110 |
| 2.5 hours | £135 |
| 3 hours | £160 |
| Larger rooms | Quote based on size |
Pricing depends on room size and complexity. Underlay is quick to fit once the floor's clear, but bigger rooms or multiple rooms take longer.
Pro Tip: Don't cheap out on underlay. A £5/m² underlay under £15/m² carpet makes the carpet feel like £25/m² carpet. Best value upgrade you can make.
Why Choose Us for Underlay Fitting in Exeter?
Fitted flat with no wrinkles or lumps
Joins taped properly so you don't feel them underfoot
Right underlay for your floor type (carpet or laminate)
Extends floor life and improves comfort
What to Expect
1. Assessment and Quote - We'll measure the room, discuss what's going on top (carpet, laminate, vinyl), and recommend the right underlay thickness and type. You can supply it or we can source it.
2. Preparation and Fitting - We'll unroll the underlay, trim sheets to fit, tape joins securely, and make sure it's sitting flat with no lumps. For carpet, we trim it to fit neatly between the gripper rods.
3. Ready for Flooring - Once underlay's down, the floor's ready for carpet or laminate. If we're doing both, we'll crack straight on. If you're DIYing the top layer, you're good to go.
🔧 DIY Tips
Tools You'll Need:
- Sharp utility knife
- Tape measure
- Underlay tape (not masking tape!)
- Straight edge or metal ruler
How to DIY (Carpet Underlay):
- Fit gripper rods first - Nail gripper rods around the room perimeter before laying underlay. Underlay sits between the grippers, not on top of them.
- Unroll and position - Unroll underlay sheets with the rubber or textured side facing down (smooth side up). Butt sheets together edge to edge - don't overlap.
- Tape the joins - Use proper underlay tape to join sheets together. This stops them shifting when carpet's stretched over the top.
- Trim to fit - Cut underlay to fit neatly between the gripper rods and the skirting board. It should sit flat without creeping up the wall or overlapping grippers.
How to DIY (Laminate Underlay):
- Check for moisture barrier - Most laminate underlay has a moisture barrier built in. Make sure it's facing the right way (check manufacturer instructions).
- Unroll perpendicular to planks - Lay underlay sheets at 90 degrees to the direction you'll be laying laminate planks.
- Tape joins - Use the self-adhesive strip on laminate underlay to seal joins. Stops moisture creeping through.
- Don't overlap - Butt sheets together neatly. Overlaps create bumps that show through laminate.
Common DIY Mistakes:
- Overlapping underlay sheets (creates lumps you'll see and feel)
- Not taping joins (underlay shifts, gaps open up)
- Using the wrong underlay for the floor type (laminate underlay under carpet doesn't work)
Pro Trick: Run underlay sheets in the opposite direction to your carpet or laminate planks. Stops joins in the underlay lining up with joins in the floor above.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Combine With: Underlay fitting is usually part of a carpet or laminate installation job. Makes sense to do it all in one go rather than fitting underlay separately.
Related Services: Carpet fitting, vinyl flooring installation, laminate flooring installation.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ You're fitting new carpet and want it to feel good underfoot ✅ You're laying laminate and want to reduce hollow sounds ✅ Your old underlay is worn out and needs replacing ✅ You want better soundproofing between floors
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of underlay do I need?
Depends on what's going on top. Carpet underlay is usually foam or felt. Laminate and vinyl underlay is thinner foam with a moisture barrier. We can advise on thickness and quality based on your floor and budget.
Can I use old underlay with new carpet?
Only if it's in good condition - no lumps, tears, or compression. Old underlay that's worn out will make new carpet feel cheap and wear faster. Usually worth replacing it.
Do I need underlay under vinyl flooring?
Depends on the vinyl type. Click-lock vinyl planks usually need a thin foam underlay. Glued-down sheet vinyl goes straight onto the subfloor. We'll confirm what you need when we quote.
Does underlay help with soundproofing?
Yes, good quality underlay reduces noise between floors. Acoustic underlay is thicker and denser - worth it for upstairs rooms in particular. We can recommend options.
Underlay Fitting Also Available In:
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