How To Lay Carpet Tiles

Floor covering

Laying carpet tiles is a lot easier and quicker than you think and you won't need a lot of the specialist tools that you'd need if you were to lay carpet. We've put together some top tips from our fitters to help you lay a perfect carpet tiled floor.

We don't stock or sell the adhesives and ancillaries you'll need for your floor covering but of course, we'll always give free advice about the best products to buy, where to get them and what quantities you'll be best to go for, so just get in touch if you need any help before you start laying your carpet tiles.

But back to laying your carpet tiled floor:

To start with, the sub-floor should be sound, solid and dry for your floor covering. There should be no cracks, holes, unevenness, damp or dust issues and if there are, it's essential to repair or rectify these problems before laying your carpet tiled floor. Cracks and holes need filling, uneven levels need levelling, dampness needs drying out or a damp proof membrane putting in. And finally, if your sub-floor is dirty or dusty, it will need cleaning.

Next, sort out your tiles. Lay them all in the same direction for a broadloom look but if you'd rather create a checkerboard pattern, alternate each tile.
​Needlepunch ribs and velours look much better laid in a checkerboard style but phone us on 0115 940 4454 for advice if you're not sure.

Here are the six vital steps to a great looking carpet tiled floor

1. Mark the centre of the space with a chalk line.

2. ​The way to check that the gaps at the edges of the room are equal and more than half a carpet tile all round, is to lay a line of carpet tiles along your chalk line and out to all four walls to make a cross. Don't have thin slivers in doorways and if you do, now's the time to adjust the starting point.

Here are a few examples of what we've got in stock at the moment, so just click on any to have a better look.
And there are more fitters top tips further down the page.

Fitter’s top tip - Don’t start laying your tiles along a wall because if the wall isn't straight, your tiles won't be either, so start in the middle.

3. You can use spray adhesive to stick down the carpet tiles in the centre of the room. But just spray the back of the carpet tile or the floor, definitely not both, as you'll find it very difficult to lift the tiles again if you spray both.

4. In large spaces it's easier and cheaper to use a liquid tackifier applied with a foam roller on a pole but In a smaller space it's best to use spray adhesive. And with spray adhesive you'll save money if you just glue every third or fourth row.

Fitter’s Top Tip - You should always wait 20/30 minutes for your liquid tackifier to dry to a clear tacky film so it stays permanently tacky. Then you'll always be able to lift your tiles easiy. If you lay your tiles too soon when the adhesive is still wet, you'll find you'll need a stripping machine to get them up again.

5. Next, fill out the four corners from the centre. And be careful you don't trap the pile at the edges of the tiles as you lay them.

Fitter’s Top Tip – Make absolutely sure that each carpet tile you lay is in perfect line with the others and that the four corners always meet to make a perfect cross.

6. Almost there – To cut neat edge cuts, put a carpet tile (A) up to the skirting board and laying on the last carpet tile (B). Using the edge of tile A as your cutting guide, cut through tile B. Then swap the tiles around and carpet tile B will fit the gap perfectly.

Fitter’s Final Top Tip - You'll never get good results if you don't change your cutting knife blade often. Professionals change their blades every 5 to 6 cuts!

There! Easy Peasy............. but having read our 'how to do it' guide you think you'd rather get a quote from us to lay carpet, carpet tiles or any other floor covering for you from £3.50 a metre, just get in touch. 0115 940 4454 or ash@carpettilewholesale.co.uk

Alternatively, visit our home page to see our full range of different carpet tiles and you don't forget, if you order more than 200 tiles you'll qualify for FREE next day delivery!