DIY Network

Carpet Tiles From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-209

Newly installed carpet tiles

Q: (from Randall in Peoria, IL): We desperately need to replace the carpet in our 6-year-old daughter’s room. She loves to paint, so we know there will be plenty of stains. Do you have any suggestions?

A: (from DIY home expert Brad Staggs): You need something that is kid friendly, and kid approved...carpet tiles would be perfect! These square tiles come in a variety of colors and textures. The following are steps for installing carpet tiles as performed by our Habitat for Humanity volunteers in our project restoration house.

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With carpet tiles, you are only limited by your imagination. The manufacturer will send you samples so that you can get an idea of what tiles you want to order (figure A). Every tile sticks to the sub floor with adhesive disks (figure B). When your child spills paint, simply peel up the stained tile...rinse it and let dry, then you’re ready to stick it back to the floor (plenty of new adhesive disks come with your order). You’re good to go until the next stain!

Figure A

Figure B

Materials:

Carpet tiles
Screwdriver
Hammer/nails
Measuring tape
Chalk line
Framing square
Carpet knife
Scrap board

Figure C

Steps:

1. Remove your old carpet and padding. Drive a screwdriver through a corner of the carpet (figure C) and pull it back. Depending on the size of the room, you will probably need to cut the old carpet in to manageable pieces. Roll it up and take it away. Then, rip up the padding.

• Tip: The floor should be cleaned well before installing the carpet tiles.

• Tip: When chalking a line alone, drive a nail in to the floor at one mark...attach chalk line and pull it to the mark directly across the room and snap. Remove the nail and do the same thing for the second line.
  

  Figure D

4. Place full tiles on the first row making sure that all the tiles are adhered to the floor.

5. Lay your second row. These tiles really don’t need to be adhered to the floor, just make sure the seams are snug.

6. Once your full tiles are placed, begin cutting tile to fill in the edges of the room. To cut the tile, put one square face up directly on top of a full tile (figure E). Put a third tile on top and slide it toward the wall (figure F). Mark the edge of the top tile on to the tile it overlaps. The mark is the cutting line for the fill piece.

Figure E

Figure F

• Tip: Make cut marks on the carpet side of the tile and cover cut marks with shoe molding.

Figure G

Figure H