How to Install Gym Floor Tiles - Based On Material
Gym Floor Tile Installation for Rubber, Plastic, Foam, Carpet & More
By Brett Hart // 2019
Related Product: Gym Floor Workout Fitness Tile Pebble
Installing gym floor tiles is a simple process, given the right gym flooring system. When it comes to gym floor tiles, there are several different options. You’ve puzzle style interlocking gym floor tiles, straight edged rubber gym tiles, puzzle style or snap together plastic gym flooring tiles, EVA foam padded floor tiles for gym use, gym floor carpet tiles, artificial turf topped interlocking rubber gym floor tiles and vinyl topped gym flooring tiles. Let’s look briefly into the the installation process for each of these types of gym tiles.
For directional interlocking systems, you’ll want make sure that all tiles face in the same direction. To help with this process many manufacturers will either print or emboss and arrow on the underside of the tiles and put a distinctive interlock on a corner to guide you to the direction each tile should face. Others may come with a diagram and numbered tiles if they are part of a custom sized kit.
Universal interlocking gym floor tiles can be laid in any direction without issue.
If you’re installing a gym floor interlocking tile with one or more straight edges, those will need to be installed in a specific order. Most commonly, you’ll start in a corner of the room with a corner tiles and work your way out in a triangular fashion, starting and finishing each row of the triangle with edge tiles.
If all of the interlocking rubber gym tiles are center tiles - or have interlocks on all four sides - starting in the center of the room and working outward in a circular fashion is common practice. For wall-to-wall installations, the perimeter tiles will need to be cut to fit. This can be done simply using a sharp utility knife, straight edge and a 2x4 board that ideally is longer than the tile.
If you’re using a basic 4x6 foot stall mat for your gym floor, these are generally loose laid, butting the mats up next to each other.
Installation of the plastic interlocking gym flooring tiles is nearly identical to that of the puzzle style rubber tiles. Although in some cases, especially when used under vehicles as well as gym equipment, they may need to be glued down to prevent shifting when vehicles are turned on top of them.
In either case, snap together gym flooring tiles will almost alway have loops or female connectors on two sides and pegs or mail connectors on the other two sides, hidden under a straight edge.
Always start installation of this gym flooring in a corner with the loop sides facing out. Keeping the tiles facing in the same direction and again working out in a triangular fashion, push each new tile down until the pegs snap into the loops to connect the tiles. Since the tiles are raised, you may want to add ramped border strips to exposed edges. These connect in the same manner as the tiles.
In many cases, the thicker EVA gym tiles will be reversible and have a different color on the underside, allowing you to flip the tiles, should you need to redesign or want a fresher looking surface.
With these gym flooring tiles, some also come with border strips to give you that nice finished edge. Again this is more common with the thicker tiles. Once you reach reach 1 inch thick, the tiles may even have the option of ramped border strips, which are most commonly sold separately.
Border strips most often come attached to the tiles at the time of purchase and use the same interlocking puzzle edge to connect.
How to Install Interlocking Rubber Gym Flooring Tiles
This the the most common style of gym floor tile. Interlocking rubber floor tiles come in many different thickness, but the essential process of installation remains the same - push the squares together like a jigsaw puzzle. Now some gym floor tiles interlocking systems vary a bit as some are directional, some have a universal interlocking system which can connect in any direction and some have corner and edge tiles that produce a nice, finished straight edge on the perimeter of your gym floor.For directional interlocking systems, you’ll want make sure that all tiles face in the same direction. To help with this process many manufacturers will either print or emboss and arrow on the underside of the tiles and put a distinctive interlock on a corner to guide you to the direction each tile should face. Others may come with a diagram and numbered tiles if they are part of a custom sized kit.
Universal interlocking gym floor tiles can be laid in any direction without issue.
If you’re installing a gym floor interlocking tile with one or more straight edges, those will need to be installed in a specific order. Most commonly, you’ll start in a corner of the room with a corner tiles and work your way out in a triangular fashion, starting and finishing each row of the triangle with edge tiles.
If all of the interlocking rubber gym tiles are center tiles - or have interlocks on all four sides - starting in the center of the room and working outward in a circular fashion is common practice. For wall-to-wall installations, the perimeter tiles will need to be cut to fit. This can be done simply using a sharp utility knife, straight edge and a 2x4 board that ideally is longer than the tile.
How to install straight edged Rubber Gym Flooring Tiles
For heavy duty gym floor tiles with straight edges and a raised base, you’ll want to check with the manufacturer to find out the best method of installation. Some tiles may need to be glued down or glued together while using an interlocking system that is not visible once installed. Others can be pinned together or use a what is a called a quad block, which allows the tiles to be connected without adhesive by holding the corners of each tile together.If you’re using a basic 4x6 foot stall mat for your gym floor, these are generally loose laid, butting the mats up next to each other.
How to install puzzle style interlocking plastic gym flooring tiles
One of the lesser known gym floor tiles are the plastic puzzle tiles, these are most commonly made of PVC and used in garage gyms due to their ability to withstand automotive chemicals as well as absorb sound.Installation of the plastic interlocking gym flooring tiles is nearly identical to that of the puzzle style rubber tiles. Although in some cases, especially when used under vehicles as well as gym equipment, they may need to be glued down to prevent shifting when vehicles are turned on top of them.
How to install snap together plastic gym flooring tiles
Snap together gym flooring tiles almost always have a raised base and are the best interlocking gym floor tiles over carpet for home gyms. The support system on the underside of the tiles prevents the tiles from shifting on the carpet. These tiles are either made from PVC or Polypropylene plastic. PVC serve as padded floor tiles for gym spaces at home. Polypropylene gym tiles are harder and often dual as sports courts for basketball or volleyball.In either case, snap together gym flooring tiles will almost alway have loops or female connectors on two sides and pegs or mail connectors on the other two sides, hidden under a straight edge.
Always start installation of this gym flooring in a corner with the loop sides facing out. Keeping the tiles facing in the same direction and again working out in a triangular fashion, push each new tile down until the pegs snap into the loops to connect the tiles. Since the tiles are raised, you may want to add ramped border strips to exposed edges. These connect in the same manner as the tiles.
How to install EVA Foam Padded Floor tiles in a gym
EVA gym floor tiles also follow the same procedure for installation as the rubber puzzle mats and are most often used for training that needs cushioning for your body, such as martial arts, gymnastics or aerobic exercise. Some EVA gym flooring tiles, generally 2x2 feet in size, offer a universal interlocking system. Others, generally around 3.3x3.3 feet in size, will be directional and you’ll need to look for that unique corner tab to figure out what direction to lay the tiles.In many cases, the thicker EVA gym tiles will be reversible and have a different color on the underside, allowing you to flip the tiles, should you need to redesign or want a fresher looking surface.
With these gym flooring tiles, some also come with border strips to give you that nice finished edge. Again this is more common with the thicker tiles. Once you reach reach 1 inch thick, the tiles may even have the option of ramped border strips, which are most commonly sold separately.
Border strips most often come attached to the tiles at the time of purchase and use the same interlocking puzzle edge to connect.
How to Install Gym Floor Carpet Tiles
If you’re going to install carpet tiles in your gym, you’ll want to make sure sure to have a rugged anti-static carpet tile with a bitumen backing. These tiles will have straight edges and need to be glued down. It is best to follow manufacturer’s installation instructions to make sure you use the right kind of adhesive.How to Install Artificial Turf Gym Floor Tiles
If you want a padded gym tile surface that you can use for sled work or footwork drills, you’ll want interlocking turf gym tiles with a rubber base. These tiles are also puzzle tiles and follow the same procedure as the previously-mentioned puzzle style interlocking gym flooring tiles. They can be either be dry laid or taped down.How to Install Vinyl Gym Floor Tiles
Vinyl Gym Floor Tiles generall feature a raised polypropylene base and snap together. Follow the same installation procedure as the snap together plastic gym flooring tiles outlined above.For more on this topic please review our Gym Flooring All Types product page.