Flooring
Commercial carpet tile
Carpet tile is carpet cut into square modules, usually fifty centimetres a side. You get the comfort and sound control of carpet with the flexibility of a floor made of small parts.
What carpet tile is
Tiles can also be cut into planks, which are long, narrow modules. Planks give a linear look and are a good way to follow the direction of a corridor. Many ranges use recycled content in the yarn or the backing, which some projects ask for. Dye is applied in different ways, and solution dyed fibres hold colour well where sunlight or strong washing would fade other products.
Each tile has a tufted or woven face fixed to a firm backing. The backing keeps the tile flat and stable, so it lies well without being stretched over the room like broadloom.
Colours and patterns are wide. Designers can lay tiles in one direction for a plain look, or turn them to build a chequered, brick or random effect.
Where it suits
Tiles are a favourite in offices because the floor often needs changes. Services run under raised floors, desks move and partitions shift. They also suit classrooms, libraries, meeting rooms and hotel corridors.
- A stained or worn tile can be swapped without touching its neighbours
- Offcuts are small, so less material is wasted
- Soft surface that absorbs sound
- Lays well over raised access floors
How it is laid and cared for
Tiles may be fully glued, stuck with tackifier or fixed with small release adhesive dots. The installer snaps a set of lines across the room and builds the pattern outward so the edges finish evenly.
Regular vacuuming keeps grit from grinding into the fibre. Spots are treated early with a suitable product. Spare tiles from the same dye batch should be stored for repairs.
What to ask before choosing
These questions save trouble later.
- What is the pile type, and how will it hold up to office chairs?
- Does the backing suit your fixing method?
- Can you keep a small stock of spare tiles?
- Does the maker run a take-back or recycling scheme?
- Is the pattern directional, or can tiles be turned freely?
Brands with carpet tile
Each link opens that brand's carpet tile part only.
- Airlay carpet tile
- Godfrey Hirst carpet tile
- Interface carpet tile
- National Flooring Distributors carpet tile
- Shaw Contract carpet tile
- Signature Floors carpet tile
- Tarkett carpet tile
Good for these sectors
Questions
Can I replace just one damaged tile?
Yes. That is one of the main reasons people choose it. Lift the tile, set a matching one in its place and the repair is hard to see.
Is carpet tile less hard-wearing than broadloom?
Not by nature. Commercial tile is built for heavy use, and wear depends on the fibre, the pile and the backing you choose.
Does carpet tile suit raised floors?
Yes. Tiles can be lifted for access to cables and then put back, which is why they are common over raised floor systems.
Tell us about your floors
Send the rooms, the floor you have now and your dates. We reply on the next business day.
Ask for a quote