Carpet tiles
Carpet tiles, also known as carpet squares, are a type of flooring which can be used as an alternative to the more common rolled carpet. They are formed from an upper layer of pile attached to a backing and are produced in a variety of sizes, materials, fibres, patterns and colours. Carpet tiles are often used in commercial and public buildings such as airports, offices, schools, libraries, and so on.
For the different types of carpet fibers, see Types of carpet.
Carpet tiles are manufactured in both non-adhesive (require gluing) and adhesive (peel-and-stick) styles.
When choosing tiles, it is important to consider the overall design scheme and the requirements of the finished floor, as well as the size and durability of the tiles required.
Some of the benefits of using carpet tiles include:
- They can be easier to install than rolled carpet.
- They can be installed over many floor types, including timber and concrete.
- Individual tiles can be removed and replaced for cleaning or if they get damaged.
- Creative patterned designs can be achieved.
- Many tiles are manufactured with good stain resistant properties.
Some of the drawbacks of using carpet tiles include:
- The seams of the tiles are more visible than rolled carpet and so require careful installation to avoid an uneven appearance.
- They can have a 'corporate' or 'municipal' feel.
- They can become unstuck, and curling or lifting at edges can create a trip hazard.
- They can be more difficult to remove than rolled carpet, which can be easily lifted.
- They can make access to under-floor services more difficult.
- They are generally not suitable for areas where they may be exposed to moisture.
- They can be more expensive than rolled carpet.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Tackle the decline in Welsh electrical apprenticeships
ECA calls on political parties 100 days to the Senedd elections.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.