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INSTALLING MODULAR
FLOOR TILE
These instructions will
apply to the Flexideck, Superdrain and Action Sports tiles, because they
all have the peg/loop connection system.
Each tile has two adjoining sides of loops, and two adjoining sides of
pegs. All tiles on any given installation should...
ALWAYS HAVE THE LOOPS GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION,
as in example 1.
CAUTION: If you inadvertently rotate a tile 90° as in
illustration 2, it will snap into place but you will not be able to complete
the installation properly. Somewhere down the road you will come to a place
where two adjoining tiles will have loops or both will have pegs and you
will have to retrace your installation until you find out where the mistake
was done and correct it.
Start from the corner most visible, where good looks is most important
and work out from there. Start on one side, all loops facing the same way.
Lay the second tile over the first, placing pegs down over loops and pressing
to "snap" the second tile onto the first. Repeat.
Do one row at a time and then start on the next, continuing to lay the
new tile over the last, pegs over loops. A rubber mallet is very handy
to make certain that the loops snap securely over the pegs. Lay the next
course of tiles over the first. When you have several rows done, walk over
the seams to make certain the pegs are securely seated in the loops. You
will usually hear the soft "snap" as the peg seats correctly.
Do's:
• Measure twice, cut once. Applies to many life situations.
• Do use a hard rubber mallet for large areas.
• Do plan your layout carefully, for although these tiles are not hard
to pull apart, it is tedious to do so.
• Give yourself plenty of time. Everything takes longer than you think.
• Lay out all of the tiles, all facing the same way before you start
snapping them together.
• After you do the above step, consider your layout thoughtfully, especially
if you are building a pattern of different colors.
• When done, walk along the seams to make sure they are all snapped
securely together.
Don'ts:
• Don't use bare hands. Interlocking floor tile snaps together easily,
but don't do a lot of this with your bare thumbs if you expect to use them
in the near future.
• However great the temptation, don't start assembling your floor without
laying all the tiles out first, with the proper orientation. This will
give you a feeling of the problems to come, if any.
• Don't cut your tiles before measuring carefully, at least twice.
A paper pattern is good for complex fitting. For simple
shapes, use a felt tip pen on the OUTside of the cut line. Forming a shape
with masking or duct tape is also good and will not mark the tile permanently,
like an ink pen will. Cut along the edge of the tape.
• Don't use kitchen knives to cut tiles.
• Don't cut tiles without protective gloves on.
Fitting Custom Shapes
On soft tiles a heavy pair of scissors or shears is fine for straight
and most curved cuts and a box cutting knife will do for fancier cuts.
For soft vinyl tiles we have successfully used heavy scissors and shears,
box cutters, *single edged razor blades and *Exacto® Blades (with much
care). For heavier and ridged tiles we recommend coping saws.
*Cutting the soft tile dulls a razor blade very fast. If you have a
lot of cutting to do, keep several fresh blades on hand.
Susan |
