Cloud 9 vs Tredaire Underlay: Which Should You Choose?

Cloud 9 and Tredaire both offer carpet underlays for different rooms and priorities. Compare the exact products that suit your installation: a luxury bedroom underlay, a firm-support stair product and a low-tog heating underlay are doing different jobs.

Cloud 9 is a Ball & Young brand; Tredaire is an Interfloor brand. The familiar name on the roll is a useful way to browse, but it does not tell you the material, density, thermal resistance or fitting method of every product in the range.

This guide compares current manufacturer specifications with products listed by Carpet Flooring Supplies. It is a buying guide based on technical information, not a claim that we have conducted a controlled comfort or sound test.

Cloud 9 and Tredaire: four useful comparisons

The figures below were checked in September 2026. Thermal and acoustic values are the manufacturers' published figures; roll areas are the full-roll sizes listed by Carpet Flooring Supplies.

On a small screen, scroll the comparison table sideways.

Sources: Ball & Young Cumulus, Cirrus, Interfloor Chromium and Treadmore, plus the technical sheets linked on those pages.

The manufacturers cite differing acoustic test editions. These are published reference figures, not evidence that a one- or two-decibel difference will be noticeable in your room. Cirrus is deliberately shown as Ball & Young's range rather than a single rounded retail figure.

What are the differences within Cloud 9?

Cloud 9 Cumulus: a deeper luxury option

Cumulus is a comfort-focused 11mm product. It is worth considering for an unheated bedroom or lounge where the carpet permits that underlay thickness and there is enough clearance at doors and transitions.

Its high thermal resistance can be useful over an unheated floor. It is not a reason to select it over underfloor heating, where heat must pass through the carpet and underlay from below.

Cloud 9 Cirrus: luxury cushioning at 9mm

Cirrus offers a lower profile than Cumulus. Ball & Young identifies living rooms and bedrooms among its domestic uses. It is a sensible product to compare when you want cushioning but need to pay attention to overall floor height.

Being thinner does not make it lower quality, and the word “luxury” does not make it right for every carpet. Use the carpet requirements and room conditions to narrow the choice.

Cloud 9 also includes contract grades

Cloud 9 is not limited to plush domestic products. Cloud 9 Contract 8mm has a heavy-contract classification and is described by Ball & Young as suitable where a firmer installation is wanted. It supports both stretch-fit and double-stick applications.

That gives you a different starting point within the same brand. Ask your fitter to match the exact grade to the carpet and area instead of assuming that all Cloud 9 products behave like Cumulus.

What are the differences within Tredaire?

Tredaire Chromium: high-density PU

Chromium is a 9mm PU underlay with a published density of 180kg/m³. Its heavy-contract classification and stretch-fit specification provide a useful comparison with comfort-focused foams when support under repeated use is a priority.

Cirrus and Chromium have the same nominal thickness, yet their use classifications, density information and tog figures differ. That is why a 9mm label alone cannot settle the choice.

Tredaire Treadmore: dense crumb rubber

Treadmore uses crumb rubber rather than PU foam. Interfloor specifically recommends it for stairs, landings, concentrated foot traffic and heavy furniture. Its published density is 390kg/m³.

Comparing that number directly with a foam's density will not tell you which product is better. Different materials compress and recover differently. Treadmore is a firm-support option, and its 10.96m² full roll also covers less area than the three foam rolls in the table.

Tredaire Defender: a low-tog specialist

Defender is a 6.1mm sponge-rubber product with a low 0.8 tog rating. It shows why the Tredaire range cannot be assigned one thermal profile.

Defender is not recommended for electric mat or dry underfloor-heating systems. Its manufacturer technical sheet sets out the restriction. For a compatible system, the carpet and all other required layers still need to remain within the heating manufacturer's total thermal-resistance limit.

Which feels more comfortable?

Comfort is personal and depends on the carpet above the underlay. A deep, cushioned feel may appeal in a bedroom, while a firmer base may feel more appropriate on a busy landing. Thickness, material and recovery all contribute; brand reputation cannot replace those checks.

If you can compare samples, judge them with the intended carpet as well as on their own. Confirm suitability with your fitter before choosing solely on how a bare sample feels under your hand. Our 8mm vs 10mm vs 12mm guide explains the trade-offs of extra depth.

Which is warmer, and which suits underfloor heating?

Tog measures resistance to heat flow. In the four-product table, Cumulus has the highest tog and Treadmore the lowest. This is a thermal comparison, not an overall quality ranking.

Above an unheated floor, extra resistance can be useful. Above underfloor heating, it can restrict heat coming into the room. Do not assume a product is approved for heating simply because its tog is lower than another product's.

Use a specific approved underlay, calculate the total floor covering resistance and follow the system's installation restrictions. Our tog guide explains the numbers, while the underfloor-heating guide covers the selection process.

Which brand is quieter?

There is no single acoustic result for either brand. The named products have different published impact-sound figures, and they serve different applications. Choose compatible products first, then examine the acoustic test information.

The numbers concern impact sound such as footsteps. They are not a promise to eliminate speech, music or every noise travelling between rooms. Do not interpret the difference between two headline figures as the reduction you will hear after installation.

Our acoustic underlay guide explains laboratory figures, airborne sound and why the complete floor construction matters.

Which should you choose for stairs and busy areas?

Start with a product whose specification supports the intended use. Treadmore has a clear stair-and-landing recommendation from Interfloor. Chromium and Cloud 9 Contract provide alternative heavy-use starting points in PU foam, subject to the carpet and fitting requirements.

The final choice depends on the stair construction, carpet type, support and fit. Do not automatically move a deep bedroom product onto the stairs because you have spare material. Read our stairs and hallways guide before ordering.

Which is better value?

Compare the cost of completing the job with suitable products. Check the price per square metre, how many full rolls you need, delivery, any accessories and the layout of strips and offcuts.

A useful first calculation is roll price ÷ stated roll area. For the whole job, add the cost of all required rolls and delivery. This avoids comparing a 10.96m² roll with a 15.07m² roll as though they cover the same area.

Cloud 9's manufacturer pages round these domestic roll sizes to 15m²; their published dimensions are 11m × 1.37m, and CFS lists the full rolls as 15.07m². Use the size of the exact roll being ordered when planning cuts. Our underlay quantity guide covers allowances and roll calculations.

Guarantees also have conditions. Cloud 9 and Tredaire product guarantees depend on recommended use or the relevant use classification. Read the terms for the exact product and installation rather than treating “lifetime” as an unconditional promise.

Our practical recommendation

• Unheated bedroom or lounge: compare Cumulus and Cirrus with suitable Tredaire comfort products, checking feel, height and carpet requirements.
• Heavy-use PU installation: compare the classifications and fitting methods of products such as Chromium and Cloud 9 Contract.
• Stairs, landings or heavy furniture: Treadmore is a useful starting point where its firm crumb-rubber support and stretch-fit specification suit the job.
• Underfloor heating: choose an approved low-tog product for the specific system and complete floor construction.

Carpet Flooring Supplies sells online for nationwide delivery on a supply-only basis. Arrange measuring and fitting separately, and check the current product page for pricing, availability and delivery before placing the order.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cloud 9 better than Tredaire?

Neither brand is better for every room. Compare the exact underlay's use classification, material, thickness, tog, fitting method and cost.

Are Cloud 9 and Tredaire made by the same company?

No. Cloud 9 is a Ball & Young brand and Tredaire is an Interfloor brand.

Is Cloud 9 Cumulus too thick?

Its 11mm depth can suit appropriate comfort-focused installations. Check the carpet's requirements, door clearance, thresholds and heating before choosing it.

Which Tredaire should I consider for stairs?

Treadmore has an explicit manufacturer recommendation for stairs and landings. Its crumb-rubber construction is a useful starting point, provided the carpet and stretch-fit installation are compatible.

How do Cloud 9 Cirrus and Tredaire Chromium compare?

Both are 9mm PU products. Cirrus is classified for luxury use; Chromium is classified for heavy contract use. Compare those applications and the carpet requirements before using their tog or sound figures as deciding factors.

Can I use different brands in different rooms?

Yes, if each product suits its room and carpet. Ask your fitter to plan transitions and finished heights, and calculate quantities for each product separately.