How to Install Modular Carpet

Check your floor to make sure the surface suits modular carpet tile. Most manufacturers of carpet tile do not recommend placing the tile on carpeted floors, wood floors with vintage varnish, carpet pads or unsealed wax floors. Do not apply carpet tile to outdoor surfaces unless you purchase carpet tile made for outdoor use.

Clear and clean the floor to which you will apply modular carpet tile. Sweep, dust mop or wet mop the surface, depending upon the type of floor you own. Allow the floor to dry completely before you apply carpet tile.

Lay down carpet tiles without attaching them to one another or adhering them to the floor. Check to make sure the pile of each tile faces the correct direction. Some types of carpet tile have arrows or guides on the backing indicating how to place them correctly.

Connect carpet tiles to one another. The beauty of installing modular carpet tile is that the resulting rug floats over your floor rather than firmly adhering to it. You merely snap or press individual tiles to one another. Some manufacturers supply adhesive dots or strips which help the tiles stay in place. If you make any mistakes with your layout, just peel away any adhesive, pop out the individual tiles and rearrange them.

Consult your instructions for how to cut carpet tile to make it fit for wall-to-wall carpeting or awkwardly-shaped spaces. In most cases, you place a metal straight edge against the carpet tile and score the backing several times to cleanly cut the tile.