How to fit FLOR by heuga carpet and vinyl tiles

One of the best things about FLOR by heuga tiles is that they are easy to buy, easy to take home and easy to fit.

Carpet tiles
SmartSteps
Rug installation instructions

Carpet tiles

Preparation

Conditioning of Materials

We recommend that all FLOR by heuga tiles should be unpacked and allowed to acclimatise for at least 24 hours at room temperature before laying.

Subfloors



The subfloor must be firm, level, dry and cleared of all debris. Sweep and/or vacuum the floor as required. See Figure 1.



If tiles are to be laid at ground or below ground level, and there is any sign of dampness, then it is essential to seal the floor before fitting FLOR by heuga tiles. Floor sealants are available from most DIY stores. Woodblock floors in particular must be completely dry since any trapped moisture may cause the wood to expand and lift.

FLOR by heuga tiles can be laid over a variety of surfaces such as stone, ceramic, hardwood or vinyl floors. They cannot be laid over soft surfaces such as existing carpet, underlay or cork tiles.

Planning

Tools
Stanley knife, chalk line, tape measure and straight edge.
Double-sided tape or tackifier adhesive is also advisable for the anchor rows and perimeter cuts.

Pile Direction
The underside of all FLOR by heuga tiles carries arrows to denote pile direction.

For a conventional broadloom appearance the tiles would be laid so that the arrows point in the same direction. This laying direction is called "monolithic". However many FLOR by heuga ranges can be installed in a variety of ways to achieve the desired effect - i.e. quarter turn, brick, ashlar or even non directional. In all cases please check the instructions printed on the packaging. When cutting tiles in to smaller sizes please make sure you mark the direction of the pile on the back of the cut tiles that lose the arrows.

Measurement

Determine the centre of the room by measuring the room's length and width.
For each measurement mark using a chalk line and the centre of the room is the point where the two lines intersect at right angles. See Figure 2. This centre point will be the approximate starting point for the installation.


Before you start to think about laying your FLOR by heuga tiles you should check the number of full tiles and the size of part tiles required to reach the walls in each direction. It may be necessary to offset the centre point to ensure that the perimeter tiles are at least half-size or larger and of similar proportions at opposite ends of the room. See Figure 3.

When drawing a chalk line ensure the line is parallel to the walls. To do this measure out from the wall near each end of the room, mark the points on the floor and draw the line between the points. Do this for both the length and width measurements and the resulting quadrants should meet at right angles.

Method of Fixing
FLOR by heuga tiles are designed for free-lay installation for areas less than 30 m2. However along the anchor rows and for all perimeter cuts we would recommend the use of tackifier adhesive or approved acrylic double-sided tape.
The anchor rows are determined by the position of the chalk lines.

Installation

Method
From the starting point, install one row of tiles accurately and firmly along each of the lines to create two crossed rows of tiles. See Figure 4. Lay the first tile into the right angle formed by crossing the lines and continue to lay the tiles along the main line up to the perimeter. These anchor rows should be held using tackifier or approved acrylic double-sided tape - see above.

At the perimeter tiles may need to be cut. With the tile face down accurately measure and mark the tile on the backing. Using a Stanley knife and straight edge cut through the backing. Fit the perimeter cut with the manufactured edge adjoining the last complete tile and the cut edge against the wall. See Figure 5.
Perimeter tiles should be held using tackifier or approved acrylic double-sided tape - see above.


Once the anchor rows are in place you can begin to fill in each of the four quadrants that you've created. Always begin from the centre and work uniformly outwards towards the walls. See Figure 6. As you do so feel free to use double-sided tape or tackifier adhesive if you feel this is appropriate.

Alignment
At the anchor rows periodically check that the edges of the tiles remain along the lines. As tiles are butted against each other take care to check the joints with your fingers to ensure they are properly aligned.

Tightness

Particular care should be taken to ensure that tiles are tightly butted together with the backing of adjacent tiles touching. Loose joints will result in movement and poor floor performance. Also ensure that pile is not caught at the joint.
See Figure 7.

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SmartSteps

PREPARATION

Conditioning of Materials
We recommend that FLOR by heuga SmartSteps should be unpacked and allowed to acclimatise for at least 24 hours at room temperature before laying.

Subfloors
The subfloor must be firm, level, dry and cleared of all debris. Sweep and/or vacuum the floor as required. See Figure 1.
If SmartSteps are to be laid at ground or below ground level, and there is any sign of dampness, then it is essential to seal the floor before fitting. Floor sealants are available from most DIY stores. Woodblock floors in particular must be completely dry since any trapped moisture may cause the wood to expand and lift.
SmartSteps can be laid over a variety of surfaces such as stone, ceramic, hardwood or vinyl floors. They cannot be laid over soft surfaces such as existing carpet, underlay or cork tiles.

PLANNING

Tools
Stanley knife, chalk line, tape measure and straight edge.
Double-sided tape is also advisable to secure narrow perimeter cuts.

Measurement

Determine the centre of the room by measuring the room's length and width. For each measurement mark using a chalk line and the centre of the room is the point where the two lines intersect at right angles. See Figure 2.
This centre point will be the approximate starting point for the installation.

Before you start to think about laying smart steps you should check the number of full tiles and the size of part tiles required to reach the walls in each direction. It may be necessary to offset the centre point to ensure that the perimeter tiles are at least half-size or larger and of similar proportions at opposite ends of the room. See Figure 3.

SmartSteps are designed for use as part of a combined installation with FLOR by heuga carpet tiles. To create combinations, at this stage, you should plan the installation so as to minimise the need to cut tiles within the room.

When drawing a chalk line ensure the line is parallel to the walls. To do this measure out from the wall near each end of the room, mark the points on the floor and draw the chalk line between the points. Do this for both the length and width measurements and the resulting quadrants should meet at right angles.

Method of Fixing
FLOR by heuga SmartSteps have unique non-slip ribs on the back and are designed to be loose-laid. We advise against permanent adhesion but approved acrylic double-sided tape can be used if needed especially to keep narrow perimeter cuts completely still.

INSTALLATION

Method

From the starting point, install one row of tiles accurately and firmly along each of the chalk lines to create two crossed rows of tiles. See Figure 4.
Lay the first tile into the right angle formed by crossing the lines and continue to lay the tiles along the main line up to the perimeter.



At the perimeter tiles may need to be cut and SmartSteps can be cut easily. Using a Stanley knife and straight edge score a line on the face of the tile and then snap off the unwanted piece. Fit the perimeter cut with the manufactured edge adjoining the last complete tile and the cut edge against the wall. See Figure 5. Perimeter tiles should be held using double-sided tape - see above.


Once the anchor rows are in place you can begin to fill in each of the four quadrants that you've created. Always begin from the centre and work uniformly outwards towards the walls. See Figure 6.
As you do so feel free to use the double-sided tape if you feel this is appropriate.

Alignment
At the anchor rows periodically check that the edges of the tiles remain along the chalk lines.

Tightness
The tiles are designed to fit closely together but care should be taken not to fit them too tightly as this may cause the tiles to buckle and create an uneven finish.

Other Finishes
FLOR by heuga SmartSteps are designed to be used in combination with all other FLOR by heuga carpet tiles. Edge strips will not be needed.
Where SmartSteps tiles meet other finishes such as traditional carpet, laminate or vinyl a suitable edge strip will be required.
Doorways
In doorways a threshold strip is required if smart steps are to meet a different floor covering. If smart steps are to continue through a doorway a threshold strip is not required but we would recommend that the tiles at the doorway are held in position using double-sided tape.

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Rug installation instructions

Installing your FLOR by heuga rug is easy.
Just follow the 5 simple steps below and your rug will be ready in no time.

1. Sub-floor

A FLOR by heuga-rug can be laid over any smooth, hard floor like parquet, laminate and stone. Ensure the surface is clean, level and dry.

2. Preparation

We recommend that all carpet tiles will be removed from the box and allowed to acclimatise for 24 hours to room temperature.
In the box you will find TacTiles connectors to attach the tiles together. The sticky side of the TacTiles faces up on the back of the carpet tile so they don?t leave marks on the floor.
The arrows on the back of each carpet tile indicate the direction of the pile. When creating your rug the arrows of all tiles should point in the same direction.
Find the design you would like to create in these instructions. Look carefully at the design to see exactly how the tiles should be installed.

3. Cutting

Use a sharp carpet knife and a metal straight edge to cut the smaller tiles in your design to the right size. Turn the tile with the backing facing upwards and cut it from the back. Crack the tile from behind and cut through the top fibre from behind.

When cutting half and quarter tiles, please make sure you mark the direction of the pile on the back of the cut tiles that lose the arrows. You could use your knife to draw an arrow on the back of the tile for example.
Please note: carpet tiles can have minimal variations in size from the standard size of 50 cm. Therefore we recommend you measure the tiles carefully before cutting.

4. Installation

Sort out the tiles and put the design together without fixing permanently to make sure you are happy with the design.
Attach the tiles together using the TacTiles; make sure you fit the tiles closely together. One TacTile sticks the corners of four tiles together or the edges of two tiles for the border tiles. Each TacTile is notched so you know exactly where to line up the next tile.

5. Completion
Vacuum your rug and it?s ready! You can change the design when you want: TacTiles allow you to easily replace tiles. You can even lift your rug and move it to another location as the TacTiles ensure it stays together.

Maintaining your FLOR by heuga-rug is easy. Regularly vacuuming deals with every day dust and dirt. Spills should be treated immediately. If permanently damaged, replace the tile with a new one.
For more detailed instructions on how to maintain your FLOR by heuga rug, please go the Product Care Section- carpet tiles

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