Carpets

[overstressed]

Hello,

We are refurbishing our flat and need carpets for four bedrooms and a corridor, all on the same level, (60sqm net total area, about 75sqm if you take rectangles surrounding all rooms, about 85 sqm if you account for wastage based on carpet roll width of 4 or 5m).

Before we started shopping I had zero knowledge of the area (now I have only slightly more than zero!). We visited a couple of stores and looked at carpets and got samples etc. and then we liked this one from John Lewis:
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-easy-clean-soft-twist-42oz-carpet/p1913642
They came and measured the area and gave us a quote for fitting it. At that point I noticed they added a cost for underlay, this particular one:
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-crumb-rubber-underlay/p2501091

As I said, at that point I had literally zero knowledge, I didn't even know there's a separate underlay, so I started researching and realized that the choice of underlay is very important, possibly even more so than the carpet. And that this particular JL one is probably the same as the Duralay Treadmore that can be had for half the price online. I asked JL and they don't have issue for me getting the underlay myself, so I'm going to do that, and I would like recommendations for underlay. I would like a soft feel, and also the flat is at ground level, so higher tog rating may be better from an insulation point of view. From what I read in various forum posts the Tredaire Dreamwalk 11mm is a good option, but there's potentially a concern of being too soft and therefore losing shape over time, even though it's described as heavy domestic usage. Then I looked at the Tredaire Colours Red 11.4mm which seems more durable and firmer, but still comfortably soft. The Axminster Axfelt65 is also recommended by many, but I'm not sure exactly what the benefits over the others are.

And then there's the carpet itself. Any views on the particular JL one? A recommendation perhaps for a similar (or better) alternative? Given the presence of two young children I would like something durable, stain resistant rather than fancy. And I have a preference for manmade material, as opposed to wool or wool blend as I feel it offers better value (unless you convince me otherwise). One of the reasons the JL is the front runner at the moment is the perception that it is a decent quality product that will do the job, and the company will stand behind it in case of failure. I would like to use the analogy that (I think) it is the Volkswagen equivalent option, but with the caveat that it would refer to a non-diesel model If we can have something like that with another product that we can buy online or from a local shop and have a local fitter install, I would be fine with it.

Thanks very much

 

[Matthew89]

Hi,
I've used the Tredaire dreamwalk 11mm underlay in all the rooms I've had the carpet replaced in. It's really nice and cushiony and allows for the use of slightly cheaper thinner carpets that still feel nice underfoot.
I installed this into my bedroom 2 years ago and its still fine now, Even where I have rearranged the furniture the flattened carpet has sprung back after time.
I think If you choose this or similar underlay you don't have to worry so much about the carpet, Just choose one that the pile cant be pulled out easy and you like the look of.

Regards Matthew

 

[crazydaze]

Axfelt is a stunning underlay, great feel without being soft, supports the carpet well and will insulate really well from noise and also for warmth over cold surfaces.

It's miles better than Dreamwalk or Softwalk unless you would prefer a spongy feel over wear/appearance retention that Axfelt will give.

It's completely over the top spec wise over the carpet that you are looking at, depends on budget and what you want to spend really, that carpet over Softwalk or Treadmore if very heavy wear would be ok for 5 to 10 years.

 

[overstressed]

My budget could accommodate the Axfelt, so I would get it if it's worth it.
When you say it's over the top compared to the carpet, does that mean it's overkill?
If the carpet lasts 5-10 years with the other, inferior underlays, under very heavy wear (so presumably more with normal wear), does that mean the dreamwalk/treadmore will last even longer? Then what's the additional benefit of Axfelt65?
Would it help prolong the useful life of the carpet?

 

[crazydaze]

Axfelt would more commonly be specced in installations under more expensive carpets, generally because people are perhaps speccing a more expensive installation in general.

When purchasing carpet, many people confuse longevity for appearance retention, some less expensive carpets are very hard wearing but don't necerssary keep their appearance particularly well, this resulting in people replacing carpets not because they are worn out, but because they no longer look 'nice'

Even a very good underlay will struggle to significantly extend the appearance life of a less expensive product, so yes, by all means spec axfelt, it's lovely stuff, but it is overspecced on that particular carpet, Softwalk would be more than enough to match the life/quality of the carpet.

 

[overstressed]

But does the underlay have to only match the life of the carpet? What if it lasts the lifetime of two carpets? If I have to change carpets every ten years for example, and with standard underlay I would change that at the same time, but axfelt can last for twenty years so that I replace it the second time I replace carpets, and in the meantime it gives better support to the carpets (perhaps prolonging their life a bit), then it would be worth it, no? Or are you generally better off replacing the underlay together with the carpet anyway?

 

[overstressed]

After reading some more, it seems that people in general recommend foam underlays, as long as they are dense enough. With that in mind I'm leaning towards the Tredaire Sensation, that at 145kg/m3 is significantly more dense than the Dreamwalk for example (110kg/m3), and still very cheap (half the price of Axfelt 65). Any thoughts on that?

 

[crazydaze]

Lay what you want, they will all do 'a job' The Axfelt will wear better and insulate better over a much longer period of time, but it's more expoensive.