Arrangement of the finishing floor covering is carried out using a wide variety of materials. One of these is carpet. Previously, it was available to us in large rolls, but today we have the opportunity to decorate the floors with carpet tiles (or modular carpet).
This is relatively new stuff, so it's no surprise that a lot of people haven't even heard of it. What he really is? Where can be used? How to lay it? We answered all these and many other questions in our article.
Product description
Carpet tile differs from the usual for all rolled material in dimensions. It is a coating that is assembled from many small fragments. Each of them is made in the form of a square with parameters 50x50 cm. Often there are products of non-standard shapes.
A rich color palette allows you to create from such plates as the brightest and most extraordinary, as well as discreet and strict carpets. Fragments perfectly fit together, making the seam completely invisible.
Such a carpet withfits easily into the smallest spaces. Under the finish, you can easily hide electrical wiring, basement hatches and other communications. The collapsible design of the flooring allows you to access them at any time you need.
What is modular carpet made of?
The main difference between carpet tiles and rolled flooring is that it has a solid base. It is made of bitumen, plastic and reinforced with fiberglass. These components give the material sufficient strength and elasticity.
The front side of each piece of flooring is presented in the form of a pile. It is created using carpet threads, which can have a looped and chopped look. The length of the pile varies from 1 to 8 mm. Its dyeing occurs during the production of the thread. Coloring pigments are added to the composition, so that the final product is not subject to molting and has a persistent rich color.
Basic properties of tiles
Modular covers are made from harmless materials. They do not emit toxic substances and unpleasant odors into the air.
In addition to the property to decorate the room, carpet tiles serve as good floor insulation. The multi-layer base makes the coating highly resistant to moisture and heat. This allows the material to be used with floor heating systems, as well as in rooms with a humid climate.
Processing the pile with special dirt-repellent compounds and antiseptics prevents the development of mold and the reproduction of other microbes. Products are characterized by excellent resistance to abrasion and well tolerate loads. If you install heavy furniture on top of the tile, then after rearranging it, the pile easily takes on its previous form.
Modular carpets can be cleaned in any way. They are resistant to chemicals and retain color fastness even with frequent washing.
What are the main advantages of the material?
In addition to the advantages already listed, floor carpet tiles have a number of other advantages. First and foremost is accessibility. The material is already actively sold in the construction markets. However, it has a very attractive price tag. The purchase of such a coating will cost you much less than a regular carpet.
In addition, the material has the following positive features:
- large range of colors and patterns;
- easy to transport;
- lightweight;
- hypoallergenic;
- easy care;
- antistatic;
- long service life;
- easy installation;
- high speed coating assembly;
- versatility in use.
If any fragment is worn out or fails for other reasons, it can be easily replaced with a similar one. And this work can be done by anyone. The involvement of specialists in this case is not required.
Disadvantages of modular carpets
Since perfect materials do not exist, attention should be paid to the shortcomings of products.
This can include the cost. If we comparethe price tag of modular varieties and carpet, the former are clearly losing.
Also, the disadvantage is the impossibility of using such flooring in places with high traffic. Carpet tiles are more suitable for home use. However, there is a nuance here: if there are pets in the house, there is a possibility of damaging the base with claws.
It is not recommended to use the material in high humidity conditions. Yes, in the bathroom you can lay such products, but only if the pile is periodically dried.
How to correctly calculate the required amount of material
Laying carpet tiles is a very simple process. It does not require serious skills and sophisticated tools.
If you decide to equip such a coating at home, then you will need to purchase the required amount of material. How to identify it?
To do this, you need to know the area of your room (where the tiles will be installed). This information can be found in the plan of the apartment (or house) or take the appropriate measurements.
The area indicator must be divided by the area of one covering element. We divide the resulting value again, but already by the number of tiles in one pack (this can be clarified in the store or read on the package yourself). Most likely, you will get an uneven number. It must be rounded up.
About 10% should be added to the final resultstock.
Useful tips for choosing tiles
A large assortment of modular coatings can confuse even the most reserved buyer. Photos of carpet tiles presented in the article are striking in their diversity, not to mention the choice of material live.
You can choose the pattern and color of the modular carpet based on your wishes. Good results can be achieved by combining different colors and patterns. But do not forget that the option you choose should go well with the interior of the room.
As for the variety of pile, there are certain recommendations for choosing:
- In children's and bedrooms it is better to use tiles with a large and soft pile. It is more pleasant to the touch and much warmer than other types.
- In the kitchen and in the hallway, more rigid varieties with a low pile should be preferred. They are less prone to abrasion and will last much longer.
- If cats live in the house, choose smoother options. They attract the attention of the animal less, which helps to protect the floor from scratches.
When choosing plain tiles, pay attention to the code of the dye used. It is listed on the packaging. Otherwise, there may be slight differences in the shades of the elements.
How to choose glue
Laying carpet tiles can be done in two ways: glued and floating.
It's easy enough to join elements on flat surfaces. If there are irregularities, they are betterfix at the base. If the material will be laid on stairs and other curly surfaces, then it must be glued without fail.
Glue for carpet tiles is selected depending on the thickness of the product. A wide layer of bitumen requires the use of a strong hold compound. Thin slabs can be fixed with simpler types of glue.
If the tile will be removed in the future, then it is necessary to choose a composition that is well washed off with water. But for laying the coating in damp rooms, you need to purchase only waterproof compounds.
Instructions for self-installation of carpet tiles
Before starting work, the base on which the flooring will be mounted must be washed and dried well. After that, on the floor you need to mark the location of all the elements. If different patterns are used to create a carpet, then it is better to number the tiles.
Next, the material must be spread over the entire surface of the floor and left for 24 hours. During this time, the squares will align and "get used" to the microclimate of the room.
The technology for installing carpet tiles involves the work in the following order:
- The adhesive is kneaded according to the instructions.
- The first element is laid in the very center of the room.
- A small amount of glue is applied to the base, after which a tile is applied to it. The product must be pressed down firmly for a few seconds.
- The second tile is being installed. At the same time, care must be taken that the seam does notgot lint. Such an oversight can spoil the appearance of the coating.
- All elements of the carpet are glued to each other as tightly as possible. If any part was not completely glued, it can be torn off and fixed again.
- It is desirable to have solid elements in the area of thresholds. If this is not possible, then the edges of the product must be fixed as tightly as possible.
- If a solid slab does not fit along the edges of the room, then you can cut off the necessary fragment with a construction (or clerical) knife. It is better to fix the edges of the coating with a plinth.
When loose laying tiles can be fixed with ordinary double-sided tape. In order for the flooring squares to lie motionless, it is advisable to glue every 5th element to the floor.
What is the average cost of soft tiles?
For most people, the cost of products is the main criterion in choosing. The cost of a modular carpet is directly affected by the manufacturer and its product guarantees.
For example, consider the cost of Desso carpet tiles from a Dutch manufacturer. Its products are quite popular in our market and are characterized by decent quality and variety.
So, options with a minimum pile height have a price tag of about 1900 rubles per square meter.
Products of medium softness will cost the buyer from 3050 rubles to 3200 rubles for the same size.
Coarse pile tiles have an average price tag of about 4,000 rubles per square meter.
Mohawk also deserves good reviews. She isproduces slightly cheaper products. Tiles with medium pile from this manufacturer have a price tag of about 1200 rubles.
Products of domestic firms are the most affordable. The price tag for their products starts at 750 rubles per square meter.
Customer reviews of soft tiles
Despite the recent appearance on the market, modular carpets have already managed to gain a fairly large number of comments on the Internet. Reviews for carpet tiles are mixed.
A large number of owners of such coatings note their attractiveness and comfort. Residents of private houses and apartments on the first floors especially fell in love with soft tiles. Its presence made it possible to make cold floors very warm and silent.
Many people focus on the ease of laying materials. Customers appreciate the opportunity to decorate their home with their own hands.
Someone considers the cost of such products too high, so they prefer the usual carpet. Lovers of natural materials criticize the presence of synthetic fibers on the front side of the plate.
Despite skeptical consumers, many netizens are expressing interest in this type of finish. Indeed, it allows you to show imagination and diversify the interior for everyone. If you choose not the most expensive options, then the modular carpet will turn out not so expensive. At the same time, its durability and practicality will not change.
