How to Install Carpet Tiles on Concrete

One of the best DIY solutions for adding comfort to rooms with concrete floors is Carpet Tiles. Designed for easy installation, interlocking carpet tiles are some of the easiest forms of flooring to install yourself. But how do you install carpet tiles?

Below is a quick tutorial for installing carpet tiles with both a snap together design and puzzle style interlocks. At Greatmats, you can also find carpet tiles with a simple peel and stick installation.

Installing Carpet Tiles with Padding

When installing puzzle style carpet tiles with a foam base, it’s easiest to start in a corner and work your way out diagonally. Some puzzle carpet squares have a universal interlocking system, meaning that it doesn’t matter which direction the tiles face, they will still interlock together. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the nap of the carpet generally does have a consistent direction that you’ll want to follow to keep a uniform look.


If the carpet tiles are directional, they’ll usually have a mark, such as an arrow, on the back to indicate which direction the tiles should face. In this case make sure all of the arrows point in the same direction. If they don’t have an arrow, watch for identifying parts of the puzzle edge, usually in a corner, and make sure that same style of corner always faces the same direction.

Once you’ve identified what direction the carpet tiles should face, simply push the tiles together much like a puzzle piece until you’ve reached your desired coverage area. Should you need to cut the tiles to go around posts, pillars, etc. or for a wall-to-wall installation. A simple sharp utility knife will do the trick.

These tiles are designed for floating installation, meaning that you will not need to glue the carpet tiles down to the concrete. This is especially helpful if you are installing in a basement or garage where moisture and/or condensation may be present, because you are then still able to lift the carpet tiles and allow for drying underneath.

Installing Interlocking Carpet tiles with a Plastic Base

Plastic based carpet tiles typically feature a raised base and a snap together tab-n-loop style connector system. These carpet tiles are much more particular in the direction the tiles should face for proper installation. In fact, you won’t be able to install a snap together carpet tile floor without the tiles all facing the same way.

Again, starting in a corner and working out diagonally. Line up your first tile with the two flat sides on the outside edges of the corners. Then, being sure to keep the loops on the same two sides as the original tile, lay each successive tile over the loop edges of the already laid tiles and step on the seam to get the new tile to snap into place.

To customize snap together carpet tile floors to accommodate obstacles, using a power saw to cut the tile is generally recommended.

Like the foam base carpet tiles, plastic based carpet tiles are also floating floor tiles and should not be glued down. The advantage of these tiles is that fact that they keep the carpet material raised off of the concrete, preventing water from soaking into the material - if they aren’t already waterproof. And they allow for airflow underneath the tile, preventing moisture from becoming trapped beneath the carpet making a perfect solution for basement floors that may get wet on occasion.