Insulation under carpet & underlay?
We have just moved into a first floor flat which is above garages. It is VERY cold and currently has wooden flooring down. We are going to remove the flooring and put carpets down (2.9 tog underlay and 2.8 tog carpet) but we are also looking at putting foil insulation (Eco Tech floor foam insulation) down underneath as an extra barrier to stop drafts/keep the heat in. However Tapi carpets, and I assume others, won’t lay underlay and carpet on top of the foil and they said it’s not required. The underlay needs to be stapled down apparently so they would break the foil barrier anyway. Should we try and find a small independent company that would fit on top of the foil or should the underlay/carpet be enough? I’m mostly worried about a draft coming from the edges where the carpet meets the skirting board.
Thanks for any advice!
Advice from 10 local tradespeople
Just an idea to help your situation, put the foil in place and put a layer of plywood over the top then underlay and carpet adding the layers will help keep the heat in.
You won’t lose much heat through a few staple holes.
Hope it helps
The carpet will be tucked into the gap where it meets skirting board forming a thick layer around room so the carpet and underlay is more than enough as the underlay needs stapled down
Hi you could use spray adhesive instead of staples if you really would like the foil underneath but the underlay would do same job plus grippers round the edges would be nailed or glued to floor depending if concrete or wood hope that's helps you decide
Foil barrier is not needed, underlay and carpet is at risk of failure due too the foil being waterproof so will keep moisture under the carpet
Have you tried spray glue at all ?
The underlay and carpet alone will be enough and draft won’t come through them
They are right about staples going through, you could put a 6mm ply or hardboard in place first. Other choice, have the barrier slightly shorter than the underlay, So staples do not break the foil, making sure you run underfloor foil across the boards, eliminate 99% of any draft.
If your concern is primarily about drafts and heat loss, your planned underlay and carpet combination (2.9 tog underlay and 2.8 tog carpet) should already provide a significant improvement over the wooden flooring. However, foil insulation like Eco Tech floor foam can add another layer of protection against drafts and help reflect heat back into the room.
Considerations:
Foil Insulation Under Carpet: While foil insulation can be effective, it's true that some carpet installers might avoid it because the underlay needs to be secured, and stapling or adhering it could compromise the insulation layer. You might find a small independent company willing to work with it, but you'll need to make sure the installation doesn't create unevenness or affect the carpet's lifespan.
Draft Concerns: To address drafts around the edges, you can use draft-proofing tape or flexible caulk between the skirting board and the floor before laying the carpet. This can help prevent cold air from seeping in.
Should You Insist on the Foil?: If the garage below is poorly insulated and you feel significant cold coming from beneath, the foil might still be worth it. But if your primary concern is drafts, the combination of a high tog underlay and sealing gaps around the skirting board may suffice.
Fitting new underlay and grippers on the foam insulation, could cause condensation and make the carpet bubble , underlay should be fit in one layer ,straight too the sub floor .
Instead using staples we can use double contact spray to keep the foil barrier and the underlay
