Can You Use Carpet as Underlay

As carpet underlays are generally thicker than what is needed, reaching up to 10 mm in thickness, it would not be advisable to install vinyl over it. Having this thick underlay under the vinyl will make the flooring unstable.

Can existing carpet be used as underlay?

If you’re replacing your carpet with new carpet, you might be able to use your old underlay. However, often odours can linger in carpet underlay and you might find that your lovely new carpet loses that ‘new carpet smell’ very quickly.

Can you use carpet underlay for hardwood?

You cannot lay wood floor over carpet underlay because this underlayment is soft, bendy, and thick. Installing wooden planks over carpet underlay can make your floor bouncy, which damages the locking system. Use a layer of plywood between the carpet and the wood for stability instead.