Method Statement for
Carpet Tile Installation
Modular carpet tiles are a versatile
and creative tool for an instant
flooring update. Not only can multiple
designs be created from this single
product, carpet tiles are easy to
install for homeowners or project
professionals alike.
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Planning for Your Carpet Tile Installation
When it comes to installing carpet tiles, proper planning is the key to achieving a
flawless and long-lasting result. Although all our residential and commercial carpet
tiles come with installation guidelines, here we provide step-by-step instructions and
valuable tips to help you implement a successful installation.
We cover:
Key Terms
How to Prepare
Materials
Planning the Process
Carpet Tile Pattern
Ideas
How do you lay carpet squares or
tiles? Post-Installation Care
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Key Terms
What is loose lay installation?
Loose installation means carpet tiles are installed without an adhesive. This
method is used for temporary settings like exhibition stands, rental settings,
residential spaces, a n d offices, or when creating a carpet tile area rug. The carpet
tiles still need to be secured or connected in some way—an adhesive tape or
sticker can be applied to the underside of the tile intersections, the installation is
weighted down by furniture, or carpet tiles are installed wall-to-wall and the walls
provide a stabilizing frame.
What is permanent installation?
A permanent carpet tile installation means the tiles have been glued down with a
pressure-sensitive adhesive or contract-grade adhesive sticker that secures the
modular tile to the subfloor. This type of installation is used in residential spaces,
commercial settings, retail stores, showrooms, or any space that must meet
safety regulations.
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Residential vs Contract Situations
Depending on the specific situation, the installation method may be dictated by
the intended use or location. A public setting must consider safety. A home
project might focus on the ease of installation. Whether it's a residential or
contract project, either installation method works. In general, a permanent
installation with pressure-sensitive adhesive is recommended for commercial
spaces, retail settings, or any space where castor chairs are used. Loose-laid tiles
in these settings (either residential or commercial) must be firmly installed wall-
to-wall or secured by furniture.
Explore our commercial or residential carpet tile collections—stylish and
versatile options like natural fiber tiles woven from sisal or coir, goat wool tiles
in an array of colors, or durable, sleek synthetic tiles.
How to Prepare
When planning a carpet tile installation, it is important to create a timeline that
includes the prep work. Here’s what you need to do to prepare the space:
1. Clear the space of all furniture, appliances, and obstacles.
2. Prepare the subfloor. It should be structurally sound, clean, completely dry,
and level. Although the following points apply to both loose lay and
permanent installations, it is extra important with a permanent installation
that the subfloor be prepared in the following ways to facilitate adhesion.
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If there are stress cracks in the subfloor, they should be filled, sanded,
vacuumed, and primed.
If the subfloor is not level, you can use a thin chipboard (floating
installation) to compensate.
The subfloor should be free of dust, oil, grease, tar, paint, wax, curing
agents, loosely bonded toppings, loose particles, and any other substance or
condition that may reduce or prevent adhesion.
Please refer to the surface preparation requirements for your chosen
adhesive tackifier.
3. Remove and inspect carpet tiles for confirmation of style, color, or found defects.
4. Acclimate carpet tiles, adhesive, and the subfloor or substrate to room temperature for
24-48 hours before installation.
5. Do not install tiles in humid settings or environments that are exposed to the
elements.
A relative humidity level between 40-60% is ideal.
Our Contract Coir Tiles and Sisal Tiles are woven entirely from plant fibers and
like most natural materials will expand and contract under different climate and
moisture conditions, much like wood flooring. For best results over time, install
natural fiber carpet tiles in a climate-controlled space.
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Materials
Gather the necessary tools and materials to streamline the installation process.
Here’s a list of the items you might need:
1. Carpet tiles that reflect the desired style, fulfill the requirements of the space
and are fully acclimated.
2. For permanent installations, a pressure-sensitive adhesive like Modu-Tak Adhesive.
Modu-Tak is a pressure-sensitive type adhesive that exhibits high levels of
resistance to concrete substrates that exhibit high levels of alkalinity up to pH
12. Other tackifier adhesives include F-Ball's F41, Artex AF-825, Uzyn U 1000, or
Bostik Lay bond carpet tackifier.
3. For loose lay installations, double-sided carpet tape or “peel and stick” tile connector
adhesives to secure the tiles in place.
4. A chalk line and measuring tape will help you accurately measure the room
and pinpoint the center where installation begins.
5. Painter’s tape or masking tape to mark specific locations on the subfloor for tile
placement or for marking the underside of a tile with its location.
6. A utility knife and extra blades to cut tiles to size, especially around room
edges or other obstacles. Additionally, a sharp utility knife is required if cutting
carpet tiles to make a special pattern or design.
CAUTION: please use an appropriate surface to cut on, a sturdy ruler to help
measure and guide cuts, sharp blades for clean carpet cuts, and of course, please
use caution when cutting carpet tile.
Do you need underlayment or padding for commercial carpet tiles?
With most applications, a padded surface beneath carpet tiles is not needed or
recommended. Rug padding is by nature soft and could prevent the tiles from lying
flat and
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tightly packed, thereby creating a walking hazard. However, with some
commercial tile installations, a compact underlayment is used. This would always
be at the discretion of a professional installer. Some carpet tiles come with
padding sandwiched between the carpet and the backing. In these cases, the
padding is manufacturer-approved and does not present a walking hazard.
Planning the Process
For an efficient and successful installation, it’s important to plan the workflow and
the design. Here are the steps we suggest:
Select a Starting Point: Generally, the center of the room is an ideal starting point.
This is where the measuring tape and chalk line come in handy. However, the
starting point for your project may be different based on the room's layout or its
traffic patterns.
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Start Center
This diagram shows a path for installing carpet tiles that are continuous
between rooms and hallways.
Dry Run: Lay out the carpet tiles without adhesive to visualize the overall design
and ensure a proper fit. Make notes or mark the underside of tiles with their
location or sequence to help you maintain a pattern.
Mark Guidelines: Use a measuring tape and chalk line to mark guidelines on the
subfloor that provide reference points for tile placement. Snap a horizontal and a
vertical chalk line that intersects at the center of the room. This will help you stay
“square” as you work.
Carpet Tile Pattern Ideas
A tiled floor looks seamless with a monolithic style and a quarter-turn pattern adds
visual energy. With carpet tiles or planks, you can play around with patterns before
making a final choice. Below are the most popular carpet tile installation designs
and patterns. For even more ideas, like how to create a colorful checkerboard or
basketweave tile design, check out our blog post Carpet vs. Carpet Tiles: Choosing
the Right Flooring Option.
Refer to the product specifications for the manufacturer’s recommended installation
methods.
Quarter Turn
All square carpet tiles can be installed quarter turn. Because carpet tiles may
have ribbing, a weave direction, or inherent irregularities, quarter-turn installation
is preferred since these details may not line up exactly from one tile to the
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next.
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Monolithic
For ultimate flow, a monolithic tile pattern has the weave direction flowing in the
same direction across all tiles. Please note that not all ribbing or other carpet
attributes will align perfectly with this method.
Ashlar
All carpet tiles face the same direction with the tile seam displaced by half a tile
in the length direction.
Quarter Drop
At each placement, a tile is turned 90 degrees and placed with the tile seam
displaced by half a tile.
How do you lay carpet squares or tiles?
You’ve prepared the subfloor, acclimated all materials, gathered the tools,
decided on a pattern, and are ready to install the carpet tiles. Follow these basic
steps and you are on your way to a successful installation.
Loose Lay Installation
For residential spaces, temporary settings, flooring that will be anchored by
furniture, or carpet tile area rugs.
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Starting at the designated starting point (usually the center of the
room), apply strips of double-sided carpet tape along the center chalk
1 lines, leaving the backing intact.
STEP
Align the first carpet tile with the center. Peel off the carpet tape
backing and press the tile firmly into place.
Continue adding tiles in this manner—aligning the edges and patterns
2
as desired to each neighbor tile, removing the carpet tape backing,
STEP
and pressing firmly.
3 At the edges or baseboards, use a sharp utility knife to cut tiles to fit.
STEP For most carpet tiles, cutting parallel to any ribbing is preferred.
4 Lastly, for a professional finish, install transition strips or edging along
STEP the perimeters.
Option: in some cases, like an area rug made from carpet tiles, a residential
installation, or a temporary installation, double-sided carpet tape can be used on the
perimeter of the rug or the space to hold the tiles in place, i.e. attaching carpet tape
to every connection may not be necessary.
Permanent Installation
For residential, retail, commercial, or any setting that must meet certain regulations.
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PLEASE NOTE: It is expected that all installers handling our materials be familiar
with the CRI-104 minimum guidelines for installing commercial carpeting. Many
of those guidelines for direct glue down and double stick installation will prove
helpful.
Pyramid Stacking
The diagram shows the pyramid technique for placing tiles as well as
quarter turn and monolithic installation methods.
With the subfloor prepared and cleaned, spread adhesive in one
quadrant or section at a time. The adhesive should only be spread
over areas that you will
1 install in the current day.
STEP
Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations for open time,
spread rate,
application method, etc.
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When the adhesive has properly set up, begin placing the first four
tiles at the center point of the room or if you have divided the space
into quadrants, place the tiles along the intersection of the quadrants.
Stair steps each tile as you go. This pyramid technique keeps the entire
layout
2 square and about the chalk lines. Instead of placing the tile down from
STEP the top, and slide each tile into position from the side. This helps
prevent trapped yarn from becoming caught in between tiles.
Do not compress tiles when installing; this will cause peaking,
requiring reinstallation. Tiles must fit snugly but not be compressed.
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Use a framing square to randomly check the squareness of the
installation. Check for
3 fit by measuring the length of 10 full tiles. If individual tiles are 19.7” x
19.7” (50
STEP cm x 50 cm) The length of 10 tiles cannot be less than 197 inches or
more than 197 ¼ inches.
At the edges or baseboards, use a sharp utility knife to cut tiles to fit.
For most
4 carpet tiles, cutting parallel to any ribbing is preferred.
STEP
For a professional finish, install transition strips or edging along the
perimeters.
5 Adhesive drying times will vary based on local conditions but can be
greatly
STEP reduced by using circulating fans.
Post Installation Care
Ambient site conditions must be between 65-85 F (18-29.5 C) and relative
humidity between 40-60%. These conditions must be maintained at least 48 hours
before, during, and 72 hours after the installation completion.
DO NOT cover the area with plastic or anything that would trap moisture
and/or prevent air circulation. This could lead to installation failure.
DO NOT drag furniture or other objects over the new flooring. Use furniture dollies to
safely move items or lay plywood over carpet tiles when moving heavy objects.
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