Can you install laminate flooring over carpet?

Planning property renovations and wondering if you can install laminate flooring over carpet? Here, we tackle this topic in detail.

People laying laminate flooring in Wrexham and parts of the UK understandably want to make the installation as simple as possible, but taking short cuts like leaving carpet in place can lead to larger headaches. Read on for reasons why experts never advise installing laminate flooring over carpet and the steps you should take instead.

Why you can't install laminate over carpet

To provide stability, laminate flooring needs a firm and flat surface. Regardless of how thin a carpet is, the way it changes shape under pressure means it cannot provide sufficient support for a laminate installation. With different levels of wearing after prolonged use, carpets present also prevent an uneven surface that makes laying flooring effectively an impossible task. When installers attempt to put laminate over carpet, the result is an unstable floor that feels spongey to walk on.

Laminate floor planks typically connect using a tongue and groove or click-lock system. To interlace efficiently they must be fitted on a flat surface, so adding laminate over uneven carpet can see locking systems become damaged as planks shift and bend.

For home health, laminate of carpet is a poor choice. Moisture and allergens can build up in the carpet beneath the flooring and lead to unpleasant odours that rise through gaps between planks, impacting air quality.

What to do instead of laying laminate over carpet

The first task is to remove the old carpet completely. After clearing the room of furniture, cut and roll back the carpet and dispose of it properly. Assess the condition of the subfloor beneath the carpet to ensure it is fit for purpose. If there are any issues like excess moisture or damaged flooring, make sure you resolve them. Ensure that your subfloor is completely stable and level before you start installing laminate. Professional fitters usually add an underlay before installing laminate planks. This guarantees a flat and robust surface for flooring, but also adds a slight cushioning effect that can dampen noise and improve physical comfort underfoot when in use.

By following this approach instead of fitting laminate directly over carpet, your flooring installation will last far longer and protect your investment in a high-quality floor finish.

How high-tech innovations are improving carpets

Several technological advances over the last few years have improved the performance of carpets.

Nanotechnology coatings on carpets function to resist stains and repel spills and dirt without requiring harsh chemical cleaners.

Smart carpets can change colour to match your mood or when you want to change the interior design of a room. Carpets can even generate electricity in high footfall areas.

New advances in fibre technology improve the durability of carpets without compromising softness, making them ideal for busy homes and offices.

Carpets with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) improve air quality and are especially beneficial for allergen sufferers,

Carpets are also becoming more sustainable. New techniques in dyeing use less water and chemicals, making carpet production more environmentally friendly. More manufacturers are offering take-back programs for worn carpets, which are recycled rather than disposed of in landfills.

Carpets are available that contain recycled materials. For example, discarded PVC plastic bottles can be used as raw materials to make new carpets. They are cleaned and made into chips, which are extruded to form carpet fibres

New methods of twisting carpet fibres make carpets stronger by using a higher density of fibres. Multifilament fibre twists create vibrant colours and emulate the look of natural organic materials, such as wool and linen.

Manufacturers of carpets are increasingly using solution dyeing, a process of adding colour pigments to a polymer solution prior to the fibres being extruded. This improves colour fastness and durability.

To see for yourself how new technology is making carpets better, contact your local flooring company in Wrexham.

Many flooring manufacturers are going PVC-free

PVC hard flooring is durable and waterproof, but it has an environmental impact because it is derived from oil or gas. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are demanding sustainable materials. This has led flooring manufacturers to offer PVC-free options.

For example, polypropylene is an alternative with a lower environmental impact, as it can be used without added chemicals and is recyclable. Some manufacturers are researching plant-based materials as an alternative to PVC.

There is a common misconception that PVC-free hard flooring does not perform as well as PVC. While this may have been true a few years ago, modern flooring made from PVC-free materials now matches or even surpasses the performance of PVC. Years of research have gone into developing the formulation of hard-wearing and easy to maintain PVC-free flooring.

The Karndean Evolve range exemplifies sustainable flooring, which features a high content of recycled materials and contains no substances derived from crude oil. Karndean also upholds supply chain transparency, requiring all its suppliers to be certified as environmentally and socially responsible.

The shift towards more sustainable materials is driven by young people who are shaping the flooring market by prioritising sustainability. However, the older generation is also voicing concerns about the environmental issues.

In the commercial flooring sector, the healthcare, education and hospitality industries are showing a strong interest in PVC-free flooring.

To explore the widest selection of sustainable flooring from Karndean and other brands, contact a local flooring company in Chester or North Wales.

Carpet design software is improving carpet production

A report by Market Research Intellect has predicted a growing demand for carpet design software by interior designers and the textile industry.

The report notes that the total global market value of carpet design software was 450 million US dollars in 2024, and is forecast to rise to 750 million US dollars by 2031.

Carpet design software enables the design of custom patterns, simulates textures and improves how floor layouts are visualised. This type of software makes carpet production more efficient and reduces waste, enabling the process from the design stage to the finished carpet to be much quicker.

Carpet design software can be integrated into computer-aided design (CAD) systems to create 3D visualisations that clearly show how a design looks in a particular space. User-friendly interfaces make it easy for designers to access the software and efficiently create new carpet designs.

Carpet design software is being used to create unique, custom-designed carpets. This is useful for companies that want their reception area carpet design to reflect the company's brand colours and logo.

For online customers who cannot physically see a carpet before it is fitted, digital design tools create visualisations of how a carpet looks in the customer’s room.

The developers of carpet design software are investing heavily in research and development to create the next generation of software that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI).

Many new carpet designs created with the aid of carpet design software are available at a local carpet retailer in the Chester region.

Global carpet market forecast to grow significantly

The global market for carpets and rugs was estimated at 58.93 billion US dollars in 2024. A report by Key Market Insights predicts that the market will more than double by 2032, reaching around 133.94 billion dollars, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.08%.

The report identifies several key factors that are driving this rapid growth. Consumers are increasingly wanting good-looking and comfortable floor coverings that enhance the ambience of their homes. Ongoing consumer trends in the industry include desires for luxury and artisanal designs. Commercial buyers and high-worth households have been found to want custom-designed carpets with unique, intricate patterns.

There is also a demand for sustainable materials in the home, which has increased sales of carpets made from natural, eco-friendly materials such as jute, wool and sisal.

Advances in cleaning technologies have made carpets easier to maintain. These have included robot vacuum cleaners that clean carpets automatically. Consumers with busy lifestyles who were put off buying carpets due to the need for frequent cleaning are switching to easy-to-maintain carpets. Stain-resistant carpets, meanwhile, appeal to buyers who want carpets to retain their good looks without frequent cleaning.

Carpets are warmer than hard surface flooring. Insulating backing prevents heat loss and dampens noise in a room. Furthermore, carpets made from synthetic materials have the largest market share as they are cheaper, but there is a growth in demand for silk and wool carpets, which are more luxurious.

To view the many colours and patterns of carpets available on the market, contact a carpet retailer in the North Wales and Chester region.