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Carpet tiles are a beautiful and versatile flooring option. They’re DIY-friendly, making them a popular choice for homeowners and renters alike. Unlike other flooring types, carpet tiles can be placed directly on existing floors, making installation a breeze.
However, despite their easy installation process, there are still some best practices and must-dos for installing carpet tiles. If you want to make sure your carpet tile project looks great, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are the best tips and steps for how to install carpet tiles. These seven tips are some of the best tricks to ensure you love the final look.
7 Essential Tips for Beautiful Carpet Tile Installation
Before you get started, be sure to take the time to carefully inspect all of your carpet tiles for finish, color, sheen, and defects. Make sure you have adequate lighting while you inspect your carpet tiles.
Taking the time to inspect your carpet tiles ensures you don’t accidentally lay a defective tile down permanently. After you’ve done an inspection, it’s time to get started.
1. Dry Lay Tiles Before Installation
Be sure to pull tiles from multiple boxes to get the best color and shade mix. Choose a pattern you like, and dry lay the tile first. Dry laying allows you to arrange the carpet tiles in a pattern and make sure you like the way it looks before you permanently affix it to the floor.
2. Identify The “Nap” Direction
Carpet has something called a nap. It’s the portion of the carpet you walk on and see. Carpet’s nap direction affects the way carpet looks and feels, and it also affects its overall durability over time. This is why it’s crucial to identify the nap direction and make sure you lay the tiles in the correct nap direction.
(On all BuildDirect carpet tiles, there are arrows on the back that let you know the nap direction, so you never have to guess).
3. Start at the Center of the Room
You want to establish the center of your room. Measure an equal distance from both ends of the room and make a chalk line. Then, do it in the other direction. The place where the chalk lines intersect is the center of the room and where you want to begin your installation.
4. Peel and Stick the First Tile
Peel the release paper from the back of the carpet tile. Then, stick the carpet tile directly on the floor in the center of the room. Take care and attention to lay this tile straight and square. This first carpet tile sets the tone for the rest of the flooring, so if it’s offset and crooked, the entire floor will be as well. Once you’re sure it’s straight, press firmly or walk carefully on it to make it stick.
5. Install Additional Carpet Tiles Using the Central Tile as a Guide
Continue to lay your carpet tiles around the first center tile. Make sure all the seams are close and that the arrows are facing the correct direction every time. Repeat the same process from the first tile, pressing firmly or walking on them to stick them in place. (If at any point you adhere a tile incorrectly, lift it up and remove any debris and simply lay it down in the correct position before pressing to stick.)
6. Measure and Cut Final Tiles
Continue installing the tiles using the same method until you get to the edges of the room. Then, measure the remaining rows and cut the last tiles to size. Then, place them as you have the other tiles.
7. Ensure Proper Post-Installation Maintenance
Once you’ve taken care to install your carpet tiles, there are several things you can do post-installation to keep your carpet tiles looking great. These tips include:
- Clean up any spills right away.
- Vacuum the tiles regularly. Shampoo them occasionally.
- Close the blinds during the sunny parts of the day to protect the carpet squares from light damage.
- When moving furniture on the carpet squares, be sure to use a piece of plywood or a sheet of Masonite beneath the furniture, so it doesn’t damage the carpet.
- If you do any work around the carpet tiles, be sure to lay down rosin paper to protect them. Don’t use non-breathable materials like plastics, though, because they can damage the carpet.
The Best Place to Shop for High-Quality Carpet Tile Flooring
If you follow these seven tips for how to install carpet tiles, you’ll have a much higher chance of loving the result. However, if you truly want the best results, start with the best carpet tiles on the market — BuildDirect’s high-quality carpet tiles.
At BuildDirect, we offer the highest-quality carpet tiles on the market with tons of styles, priced for every budget. Plus, if you become a PROrewards member, you get access to unlimited free samples, 5% credit, exclusive deals, and more. Become a PRO today.
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