Rubber flooring has become increasingly popular in gyms, fitness centers, sports fields, etc. And that’s due to its durability, versatility, and shock-absorbing properties. Without proficient installation of rubber flooring, the lifespan of rubber flooring is compromised. To DIY install rubber flooring without any irregularities, follow the steps explained in this post by Flooring Expert Dubai.
A Comprehensive Step-Wise Guide For Rubber Flooring Installation
Let’s jump straight to the process of rubber flooring installation.
Tools & Materials Needed
You’ll require some necessary tools and materials to perform the DIY installation of rubber flooring proficiently. All these essentials should be arranged beforehand to prevent delay and perform the task perfectly
- Utility Knife: To ensure precise cuts and seamless finishes.
- Straight Edge: For a clean and accurate cut to attain a professional-looking finish.
- Adhesives: To secure rubber flooring in place.
- Double-Sided Tape: To secure rubber flooring in place.
- Rubber Flooring: You can either have rubber tiles or rolls.
- Self-Leveling Compound: For even and flat subflooring.
- A Broom & Vacuum: To clean the subfloor.
1. Prepare The Subfloor
The idea is to have a foundation surface that is clean, dry, and flat for rubber flooring installation. A flat surface won’t affect the rubber flooring post-installation otherwise there occur imperfections and irregularities leading to early flooring replacements or permanent damages.
Thus, the subfloor is the foundation of any flooring and therefore, you need to ensure clean and leveled surfaces. If the subfloor is uneven, you can pour a self-leveling compound and wait for it to settle down and make the surface even and flat. For concrete surfaces, you need to fill in gaps (using freshly-made concrete material) and clear bumps before installing rubber flooring.
2. Put In Position & Lay The Rubber Rolls
This placement and positioning of the rubber rolls or tiles is the most crucial step in this process. It makes the pattern and tone of the rubber flooring. For tiles in a specific design, you need to be careful while placement otherwise, you’ll disturb the surface pattern. If you’re installing rubber rolls, it’s better to start with one corner and ensure proper alignment till the opposite corner.
You need to take your time and not rush through this step because there are lots of considerations when laying rubber tiles and rolls. Always set a reference point when starting the process. For rubber tiles, you can either start laying the tiles from the center of the space outwards or go with the corner-to-corner approach.
At corners and edges, you should be extra careful to attain smooth and appealing transitions between tiles. In the case of rubber rolls, you need to accurately cut the rolls around corners and edges using a straight edge and utility knife.
3. Secure The Rubber Flooring In Place
When you’re done with the first roll, you become somewhat familiar with the process and can proceed the same way with other rolls. However, that doesn’t mean that the chances of errors or mistakes have reduced and one should be always careful at each step of the rubber flooring installation.
When you have to secure rubber rolls placed side-by-side or tiles in place, there are two options i.e. adhesives and double-sided tape. Both these options have their benefits and downsides. When using super adhesives, you can achieve instant bonding and a long-term solution to keep your rubber floors in place and properly secured.
However, this also means that you won’t be given a second chance for readjustments or position flexibility of the tiles. Such an installation process is done by professionals with expertise in high-traffic interiors to attain long-term flooring durability. For double-sided tape, you will have the flexibility to readjust or reposition the tiles in place.
You can choose any of the methods depending on your expertise and the requirements of the space. You need to be extra careful at this point and avoid air pockets and uneven adhesions. Now, that you’re done with the placement and attachment of rubber rolls or tiles, the pattern must be repeated and followed until the entire surface is covered.
When To Call Professionals For Help?
If you’re a beginner DIY enthusiast, there is a high chance that things can go wrong with the self-installation of rubber flooring. You should purchase professional installation services for rubber flooring if the project is a large volume. Similarly, there are occurrences when even small-scale rubber flooring installations can cause complications due to design intricacy.
No need to mention that you can call professional assistance even in the middle of the DIY installation as soon as you realize that you’re not going to make it on your own. And if you continue even in such a situation, it may lead to a total waste of your valuable investment. Therefore, one should always make a smart decision and assess the situation properly.