Peel and Stick Carpet Tile Installation
My current project is upgrading my front porch! It has old wood flooring that was originally intended for indoors, but because this floor has been exposed to the elements, I am having so much trouble keeping a painted finish on this. Because this space is half inside and half outside, I am doing a peel-and-stick carpet tile installation!
Table of Contents
Prep Work for Peel and Stick Carpet Tile Installation
Before applying peel-and-stick carpet tile, you need to make sure that your subfloor is clean. This means removing any and all loose materials. To do this, I am starting by scraping and sanding the loose paint. When all of this is done, I am using a pressure washer to get it all clean. I am going to make sure that the floor is fully dry before attempting to stick anything to it.
Making Plans
Now that my floor is clean, it is time to get into the planning phase. Before sticking anything down, it is important that you have an idea of where all of the tiles will be. I am measuring from the wall to run a straight chalk line as a starting point. You want to make sure that you place your tiles so none of the tiles end up being a skinny strip less than 2 inches. I am moving the tiles around to get the spacing just right.
How to Make it Stick
The tiles I am using are peel-and-stick. I am vacuuming ahead of each tile’s install to catch any dust or debris that might be there. I am doing this because I cleaned with water a few days prior. The sticky back on most peel-and-stick products is pressure-activated, so it’s not enough to just place it. You need to push on it and apply weight. I walk on each tile to ensure they are fully applied and the adhesive fuses to the floor below.
Rules for Applying Peel and Stick Tiles
Peel-and-stick carpet tiles have a direction to lay them. This is usually indicated on the back paper that covers the adhesive. The arrows show you the direction of the carpet tile. In my carpet tile installation, it says to quarter-turn each tile so that they alternate. This is done so the tile blends together seamlessly! Alternating the direction of the tile also alternates the direction of the adhesive strips of sticky backing. When the adhesive goes every other way, the carpet tiles are stronger. This means it can withstand vacuuming and dragging furniture across the tiles without lifting.
How to Cut Carpet Tile
Cutting peel-and-stick carpet tiles is very easy. This allows it to fit any custom space. You simply use a utility knife and a square to make straight cuts. When I cut the tiles, I am cutting on top of a piece of plywood, so I do not slice into the floor below. The brand of peel-and-stick carpet I purchased has a special technology to prevent fraying where you have cut your tiles. Very few of my carpet tiles frayed away as I cut. I also expect none to loosen over time. Cutting these tiles did not compromise the integrity of the carpet whatsoever, and I am very happy about that!
Why This Tile?
I chose this tile for so many reasons. It is stain resistant, UV resistant, color fast, and made from recycled bottles. In addition, it has a fiber locking system that eliminates the need for heavy backing, which can trap water. This product does not allow water to get underneath, and it dries after raining very quickly! Click here for the exact tiles that are on my porch!
The Finished Floor
I want to show off this detailed cut that I made around an existing door jamb that I am so proud of. This carpet tile installation really is a beginner-friendly product to install! If you have a space like a concrete patio, outdoor steps, or maybe a front porch like me, I hope this post helped you figure out how to install the carpeting.
We love our new floor, and it has made our front porch feel more inviting and cozy. If you want to know how to take out carpeting, you can find a blog post on that here! If you have any further installation questions, let me know below, and I will try to help you out!
