How Does Interlocking Carpet Tile Work?

What Are They?

Made of nylon fibers, and normally manufactured in 18 by 18 inch squares, interlocking carpet tiles come in a variety of thicknesses and colors.
Interlocking carpet tiles differ from traditional carpeting in several ways. For starters, carpet tiles are easier to install, relieving the homeowner of the burden of sizing, stretching and accommodating the transport of a large roll of carpeting. Interlocking carpet tiles also eliminate the need to install a separate padding over cement and wooden floors, due to a tacky backing that adds cushioning along with traction.

How Do They Work?

Wavy-shaped outer edges allow carpet tiles to lock together snugly, forming a seam that is almost completely undetectable once all of the pieces of tile are in place. The concept closely resembles that of an oversized jigsaw puzzle, with one simple difference. All of the pieces fit together equally on all sides, eliminating the need to worry about mistakes. Although room measurements are a necessity in order to be sure that the proper numbers of tiles are purchased, placement lacks the complexity that installers often find with rolled carpeting. Preparations are usually limited to the thorough cleaning of the underlying floor. The interlocking tiles are then installed starting from one corner of the room, working in an outward fashion until the entire room is covered. Excess carpeting at any of the edges can be easily removed with a sharp utility knife.

Advantages

Unlike the average carpeting installed from a bulk roll, interlocking carpet tiles offer the versatility of removal and replacement one square at a time. Worn or damaged tiles can be replaced without the added expense of replacing the entire carpet. Interlocking carpet tiles also eliminate the need for messy glues. The interlocking system creates a tight bond that is resistant to stretching or shifting.

Purchasing Advice

When installing interlocking carpet tiles it is important to buy a bit more than you will need to cover the entire room. You should have some extra tiles stored for replacement if the need arises. Carpet tiles are manufactured in bulk, and different batches of carpeting tiles can be identified as the same color, but vary slightly in contrast or hue. When purchased separately, it is common for a consumer not to notice the color differences until the new tile is displayed along side the older one. For this reason, it is also important to make a note of the batch number of the purchased carpet tiles, in case the manufacturer needs to be contacted in regard to purchasing more tiles from a particular dye lot.

Resources

• Milken Floor Coverings