A recent study by the University of Sheffield showed that heat loss through the floor could be as high as 92% for pre-war timber flooring homes in the UK!
That’s a staggering number. And, energy prices are at an all-time high as the world returns to normality and we use more energy than ever.
So if your home is losing so much heat, now’s a better time than ever to take a look at those costly energy bills. Let’s see how you can keep your house toasty warm for the winter months with under-carpet insulation.
What Is Under Carpet Insulation?
Under the carpet, insulation is a material laid under a carpet to keep the temperature in the room as regular as possible. When the material lays the right way, it will absorb any shocks in the floor and absorb heat from the warm air in the room.
Nowadays, manufacturers use recycled materials such as sponges or foam. Many manufacturers will also add a layer of insulation on top of the material to add more protection against cold floors and surfaces. The result is that the insulation keeps the room warm when it’s cold outside and cold when it’s hot outside.
What Is Thermal Insulation Underlay?
Note that under-carpet insulation and thermal insulation, underlay aren’t quite the same. Thermal insulation underlay is merely one type of under carpet insulation. You can argue that anything that sits underneath a carpet, for example, carpeting over existing flooring, constitutes under-carpet insulation, so long as it serves the same purpose.
Thermal Insulation Underlay can use synthetic or natural materials. Its thickness, composition, and density all play a role in how much insulation it offers.
What Materials Are Used to Insulate Flooring?
You can use various materials to insulate flooring, with each material having different benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the different types:
Synthetic Insulation
Synthetic insulation does exist in pads and roll-out sheets. However, it most often comes in batts. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and relatively cheap. However, synthetic insulation isn’t traditionally as eco-friendly. Still, many of the synthetic materials used for insulation come from recycling facilities in today’s recyclable society.
Organic Insulation
Organic insulation is made from plant fibres or cellulose. It is made from spinach, coconut husks, and cotton. Since it’s organic, it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and sustainable.
Compared to synthetic insulation, organic insulation is less common and thus expensive. It is also somewhat more difficult to install on your flooring because of the added material. However, it remains a viable option for someone looking to save money on energy bills while still keeping their house warm in the winter months.
Bamboo fibre, often used in organic insulation, is a great option because of its strength and ability to keep its form despite repeated use.
Why Should I Insulate My Flooring?
Under the carpet, insulation is essential because carpets themselves are not very good insulators. They’re designed to feel soft and warm against your feet while you walk on them, but that’s about their only purpose. They will not keep a room warm by themselves, though they are warmer than a hard floor.
As mentioned above, older homes don’t hold heat, and newer homes, which always come with floor insulation. So it’s important to insulate your carpet, and preferably the ground floor itself, to keep heat from leaving the home.
What Are the Benefits of Under Carpet Insulation?
There are various benefits to installing under-carpet insulation. Let’s take a look at the main benefits:
One benefit is that under-carpet insulation helps reduce mould, mildew, and odour build-up by keeping your flooring free of moisture. It helps prevent rising dampness. It can also warm the room up enough to dry out a room before mould can grow.
Another great thing about under-carpet insulation could be its environmental benefits. By alleviating the issue of a warm floor in the winter, people can better insulate their homes for free. Energy efficiency is a top priority for energy conservation, and installing under-carpet insulation is one way of achieving it.
An under-carpet insulation also adds a layer of comfort to your flooring. A carpet on its own, while softer than a hard floor, doesn’t have any cushioning. Underlay is perfect for this, so you get that nice, bouncy feeling every time you walk across the floor!
Do I Need Under-Carpet Insulation?
Suppose you live in an older home or have an older home with natural flooring. In that case, chances are you’ll need carpet insulation. If your home isn’t insulated well, it could be costing you hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills. So it’s well worth looking into if you haven’t already.
The easiest way to tell if you need under-carpet insulation is to check the flooring. See how much an issue drafts are. You can also check for dampness or moisture under the carpet. If you have a moisture meter, use that.
More Insulation Tips
There are other ways you can help insulate your home and reduce energy bills. For example, installing triple-glazed windows is an excellent way to reduce heat loss.
Plus, installing insulation is a great way of maintaining your home! If possible, install wall insulation as well in your loft. Insulating all these areas will make sure your bills are as low as possible all year round.
Insulate Your Home Today
Whether you’re living in a smaller or a larger home, insulation is a must-have. It can save you money on your energy bill, and it’s eco-friendly. Plus, under-carpet insulation helps keep heat in an open-plan home. Such examples include a loft apartment or a townhouse.
Even in a well-insulated home, there’s not much better than having something comfortable to walk on at the end of a hard day’s work!
If you’re looking to buy flooring online such as under carpet insulation, then shop with us today and let us provide that extra warm touch!
