ByCarpet tile installations demand careful planning, precision, and attention to detail from start to finish to ensure a successful and stressless experience. In this article, we’ll walk through the entire process of a carpet tile installation project, and we’ll focus on the popular Burmatex Tivoli Nylon carpet tiles, probably the best-selling and most frequently installed carpet tile in both commercial and residential settings in the United Kingdom.
Selection of Carpet Tiles
The first step in any carpet tile installation project is to select the right product and for us the Burmatex Tivoli Nylon carpet tiles are the best in the business. We chose them for their durability, aesthetic appeal (they look really nice), and large variety of colour options. These tiles are very tough, a robust construction and it makes them ideal for high-traffic areas. When selecting carpet tiles, considerations must include the room’s purpose, traffic levels, and design preferences. The Tivoli range offers flexibility with a wide palette of colours, allowing you to easily customize the look of any space.
2. Ordering and Delivery
Once the tiles have been selected, the next step is to place an order. It’s essential to order the correct amount, which typically involves calculating the square footage (if you are in the USA) or square meterage (everywhere else) of the area to be covered and adding a contingency for wastage – usually around 10%. This is bound to happen, you always need more than you think and any leftover can be used for spares. After ordering, the carpet tiles are shipped from the manufacturer or supplier to the warehouse for dispatch to the site.
Delivery logistics are crucial. Ensure the warehouse can store the tiles properly, keeping them dry and flat to avoid any warping or damage before installation. Warped and damp tiles are horrible to fit.
3. Preparing the Installation Site
Before the installation begins, the site needs to be prepared. So, for example, removing old flooring if necessary, cleaning the subfloor, and ensuring it is level and dry. Any imperfections in the subfloor will affect the final result, so addressing these issues beforehand is critical and that may mean you need to put a little screed down to fill holes and make it nice and flat. Planning the layout is another key step.
For carpet tiles like Burmatex Tivoli, it’s important to decide on the pattern and orientation, whether it will be quarter-turn (tessellated), brick, or another pattern. Marking out the starting point, usually, the centre of the room helps ensure a balanced and symmetrical installation. Planning at this stage is time well spent.
4. Installation Process
The actual installation of the carpet tiles begins by laying out a dry run to check the alignment and fit. Once you are satisfied with the layout, the tiles can be adhered to the floor. Many carpet tiles come with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing but in the case of the Burmatez, a roll-on tackifier adhesive is used. This is a special type of glue that allows you to pull up a tile fairly easily to replace it but still secures it in place.
Tiles are installed by pressing them firmly into place, starting from the centre and working outward. Careful attention is given to ensuring each tile is aligned properly, with no gaps or overlaps. Trimming tiles to fit around edges, corners, and obstacles like pillars or doorways is done using a sharp utility knife. Take your time to make sure it looks perfect.
5. Finishing and Cleanup
Once all tiles are installed, the site needs to be thoroughly cleaned. This includes vacuuming the entire area to remove any loose fibres, dust, or debris. Inspecting the installation is also crucial to ensure all tiles are secure and properly aligned and that you get a successful project sign-off from your client. The final step is to install transition strips, sometimes called thresholds, where the carpet
tiles meet other types of flooring, ensuring a smooth and professional finish. The workspace should be left clean and ready for use.
Conclusion
Installing carpet tiles, particularly with a product as reliable as Burmatex Tivoli Nylon, is a process that, when done correctly, results in a durable, good-looking floor that can withstand the demands of a busy environment.
