Directions on Installing Carpet Tiles
There are several advantages to installing carpet tiles instead of traditional carpet. First and perhaps foremost, you don't need to stretch the tiles during the installation process as is required with traditional carpeting installation. As a result, installing carpet tiles is a much faster process. Non-installation related advantages exist as well; replacement can be done on an as-needed basis to specific tiles, instead of entire area replacement as with traditional carpet. Homeowners can also mix and match with a variety of tile colors and textures to provide a unique custom floor installation at a fraction of what traditional carpet would cost. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Carpet tiles
- Carpet knife
- Carpenter's square
- Permanent marker
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Instructions
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Wipe the area to be tiled so that the floor is clean and dry. Carpet tiles are best laid on concrete or a strong wooden underlayment. Be sure the surface is free of defects such as nail heads or small pieces of old floor covering that may cause carpet tiles to come loose at a later date.
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Mark the center point of the room using a tape measure-- this is the point where you will begin to lay tiles. Place an "X" on the floor with a thick-tipped permanent marker. An accurate yet easy method to locate the room's center is to find the midpoint of each wall, then snap a chalk line between the two midpoints of opposite walls. The lines will cross at the center of the room.
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Check to be sure the chalk lines lines are square with each other by using a carpenter's square. The chalk lines should meet at a 90-degree angle from each other at the midpoint of the room. Redraw the chalk lines if the angle of intersection is not exactly 90 degrees. It may take a few tries, but an exact 90-degree cross angle of your chalk lines will make the carpet tile installation look better. This (chalk line crossing point) will be your starting point to lay the carpet tiles.
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Determine the pile direction (the natural "wave" of the threads) of each tile by looking on the back. An arrow will usually indicate the pile direction. When laying tiles it is important that the pile all run in the same direction to maintain a consistent appearance, so check the arrow on each tile before placing it. If this is not done, each tile may have a slightly different appearance--much like the pattern of a lawn when adjacent strips are mowed in opposite directions. Be aware that some manufacturers recommend alternating the arrows in a specific pattern or sequence, so check the packaging instructions for your particular brand of tiles. If you do desire a checkerboard (non-uniform) pattern, you may turn every other tile 90 degrees (using arrows as the indicator).
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Lay the four center tiles one at a time by peeling off the paper backing, then placing the corner of each tile in one of the four corners formed by the cross of the layout chalk lines. Put one tile in each corner of all four quadrants (where the two chalk lines meet), so that the four tiles form a complete square. The next group of four tiles will be laid in an adjacent square next to the one you've just laid.
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Place each tile squarely against the edges of neighboring tiles. Lay more squares, and progress your way outward to the walls. Create a stair-step pattern as you work towards the walls by working on one side of the existing tiles that have been laid. Continue filling in the stair steps with new tiles until you reach the walls. Be sure that each tile laid is aligned exactly with the tile adjacent to it. Any small deviation in alignment will cause other tiles to become more out of alignment.
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Measure the space between the last tile laid and the wall at both corners of the tile next to the wall (tiles applied next to walls will need to be cut to get an exact fit). Draw an identical layout line on the back of a new tile to be cut. Use a straight edge to cut on the layout line. Lay the cut tile then repeat the measure and cut process on each tile until the floor is complete.
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Tips & Warnings
Save all extra tiles (stored flat), so that you will have replacement tile of the same batch if repairs are needed later.
References
- Photo Credit carpet close up image by isatori from Fotolia.com
