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What are Carpet Tiles?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Carpet tiles are square sections of carpeting that are sometimes used in place of rolled carpeting. Available in a variety of designs and styles, these simple carpet squares make the process of installing carpeting in a room much less messy and complicated. Along with easy installation, the tiles also can be replaced easily in the event that a section of tiles are stained or worn over time, without having to replace the entire carpet.

Carpet tile sections are uniformly constructed as squares that are eighteen by eighteen inches. The tiles on the market today are offered with both adhesive and non adhesive backs. Versions that feature adhesive backs are installed by peeling off the protective sheeting on the backing, and affixing the tiles in position on the flooring. Non-adhesive models can be placed in position with the use of double sided carpet tape.

Carpet tape may be used to keep carpet tiles in place.
Carpet tape may be used to keep carpet tiles in place.

When it comes to styles, it is possible to obtain carpet tiles in just about as many different designs and weaves as any form of rolled carpeting. One important difference is that the pile for tiles tends to be shorter than some other forms of carpeting. However, there are still several different grades of thickness that can be purchased, so carpet tiles will work well in most instances.

One great advantage of carpet tiles is that it is a relatively easy job to replace a tile when some type of damage takes place. For example, if a square is stained, it is a simple task to replace the damaged tile with another tile of the same design. Should a section of tiles become worn from traffic, there is always the option of exchanging the worn tiles with other tiles in the overall design that are currently located under furniture or sections of the floor that see very little wear.

Many persons who choose to install carpet tile flooring often purchase additional tiles to keep on hand for easy replacement. This can be a great idea if the plan is to keep the tiles in use for a number of years. As with many textile products, the designs and colors for the carpet tiles will vary somewhat from year to year, so exact matches may be somewhat difficult to achieve after the tiles have been in place for an extended period of time.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

rjohnson

Carpet tiles or carpet squares are also available in environmentally friendly materials. And some companies that produce these "green" versions will take them back when you are done with them to recycle them. Carpet tiles are not only used in wall-to-wall carpeting, but they can be used to create carpet runners or an area rug in a room.

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    • Carpet tape may be used to keep carpet tiles in place.
      By: aerogondo
      Carpet tape may be used to keep carpet tiles in place.