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4
Design ideas
Carpet tiles can be laid using a single colour or you can make
your own individual carpet designs by mixing colours, laying tiles
in a chequerboard pattern, introducing borders, or adding a
contrasting colour in a random design.
5
Ideal for the job
Cutting
Every tool box should include a
utility knife; it can be used to cut
many different materials.
The simplest versions store spare blades in the handle. For safety in
your tool box, buy a knife with a retractable blade.
Use a steel rule as a
straightedge for cutting
carpet tiles in a straight line.
For a simple bold design, use
carpet tiles in two colours, one
dark and one light, and lay the
colours alternately to create a
chequerboard effect.
Create your own stylish carpet
pattern by adding single tiles in
a contrasting colour to the
main colour in a completely
random design.
Joining flooring
how to...
lay a carpet
A t-bar or threshold bar is fitted in a
doorway to make a neat join between the new
floor and the flooring in the next room, which could be
carpet, laminate, vinyl tiles or more carpet tiles.
Caring for carpet tiles
• Regular vacuum cleaning will help maintain the appearance of
your carpet tiles, and remove potentially harmful pieces of grit
and other debris.
• Shampoo the tiles occasionally, using a proprietary brand of
shampoo and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Carpet tiles are manufactured using stain-defiant
polypropylene fibre. While the material is resistant to stains, it is
impossible to make them totally stain-proof. Any spillages
should be cleaned as soon as possible, ideally using a
proprietary cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
according to the type of spillage involved.
• Treat stains as soon as possible to avoid them penetrating the
carpet.
• Individual tiles can be taken up and treated under the cold
water tap to help remove stubborn stains. Dry the tile before
replacing it in its original position.
tools
you can do it
Learn more about laying a carpet with
the bestselling you can do it – the complete
B step-by-step book of home improvement. Only £16.98
Printed on 100%
recycled fibre.
• tape measure
• pencil
• chalk line
• utility knife with sharp,
heavy-duty blades
• steel rule
materials
• string
• carpet tiles
• double-sided carpet
tape
• t-bar (threshold bar)
Please remember to recycle this leaflet when you
have finished, you could even compost it as the leaflet
has been printed using vegetable-based inks.
A summary of this leaflet can be made available in Braille, large print and audio
cassette. Please ask for details or email us at [email protected]
Every effort has been made to ensure that the instructions given in this leaflet are
accurate and will enable you to do the job safely and successfully. Please follow
instructions carefully and seek expert advice in the event of difficulty.
©2008 B&Q plc. Hampshire, SO53 3YX
All information correct at time of going to print.
HOWT0052
For help and advice on all home projects visit www.diy.com
Let’s do it
1
Carpet tiles are loose-laid so that they can
be taken up and re-laid in a different part
of the room to spread wear, for individual
spot cleaning, or to completely replace a
2
Laying the tiles
To achieve a symmetrical design with no unsightly narrow gaps at
the skirting, find the centre of the room (for details on how to do
this, see you can do it – the complete B step-by-step book
of home improvement and work from there towards each wall.
3
damaged tile.
Before you start
• Strip off previous floor coverings and make sure that the
surface is firm, clean, dry, flat and smooth.
• Make sure the surface is free of paint, oil, grease,
bituminous compounds and any solvent-based materials.
• Sweep or vacuum the sub-floor, removing all dust and
smoothing out any lumps or depressions.
• Cover uneven timber floors with resin-bonded plywood or
floor-covering grade hardboard panels.
• Hardboard panels should be dampened 24 hours before
installation to prevent subsequent expansion. Ensure boards
are securely fixed.
1
Starting at the centre of the
room, lay a row of tiles
from the centre line to one of
the walls.
To avoid such a narrow
gap, move the starting line
back the width of half a tile.
Repeat the laying from the start
line in the opposite direction
and then towards the other two
walls. Adjust the start line as
necessary, until there is a
reasonable gap of about half a
tile all round the room.
3
Cutting tiles
Carpet tiles will need to be cut to fit at the skirting, doorways and
around obstacles. To cut around curves or pipes, make a simple
paper template to use as a guide.
3
Place a spare tile upside
down under the tile to be
cut to give a firm and safe
surface and to protect the
cutting blade. Using a sharp
utility knife and a steel rule, cut
the tile, carefully parting the
carpet pile as you cut.
1
Lift the last uncut tile
nearest the skirting. Replace
it with the tile to be cut.
• Make sure there are no proud nail heads.
• Do not lay carpet tiles on solid floors that do not incorporate
a damp-proof membrane.
• When you are calculating the area of your room, remember to
measure any alcove or bay separately and add it to the total.
Pile direction
Carpet tiles have a natural pile lay, and this is indicated by
directional arrows on the reverse of each tile. This natural pile lay
can lead to very slight shade variations, particularly from one
production batch to another. In order to avoid shading problems,
tiles should be laid with the directional arrows pointing in alternate
directions, like a chequerboard.
2
When you reach the
wall, check to see if you
are left with a narrow gap (as
above). This should be avoided
– a thin strip of carpet tile at
the skirting will look ugly.
4
Lay the tiles with the
edges butted up tightly
and squarely to the
neighbouring tiles, making sure
you do not trap any carpet pile
between each join. Secure
every fifth row of tiles with a
strip of double-sided carpet
tape to prevent any movement.
Position all the whole tiles
before filling in the gaps at the
edges and tackling areas
where there are fittings.
2
Place the last uncut tile on
top of the tile to be cut,
butting it up against the
skirting-board. Using the top
tile as a template, mark the
cutting line with a pencil on the
bottom tile.
All this and more in you can do it – the complete B step-by-step book of home improvement only £16.98
4
Replace the whole tile in
its original position and fit
the cut tile in place against the
skirting. Repeat the cutting
process all the way around the
edge of the floor. Secure the
cut tiles with double-sided
carpet tape.