How to Install Rubber Flooring – Seam Sealing Two Rolls
Updated: Santa Ana, Calif., July 9, 2013
When installing rubberized floor covering, you may come across a common problem. Sometimes, you will find that the rubberized floor covering in rolls have an overlap and that you want the rolls to be correctly adjoined. In this video, you will learn about two techniques, seaming and scoring, which will help you seam two adjoining roll of rubber flooring when installing protective flooring and lining for your home gym or basement floor! This is a technique used by professionals to install rolled flooring products with as little gap as possible between the rolls. This is a DIY technique in the “how to install rubber flooring” realm of installation solutions and can be preformed by anyone.
Seaming and scoring are two helpful methods used to resolve the problem of rubberized floor covering that is too long or too short and is in need of additional material to be sufficient enough as floor covering for gym. These techniques are simple and easy to execute. You will be able install protective flooring and lining for your home gym with minimal to no problems.
Before you proceed, you will need the following materials to install your rubber fitness flooring:
- Protective gloves
- Knee pads
- Broom
- Utility knife
- Straight-edge or T-square ruler
- Double-sided copper tape
First, make sure that the surface you will be working on is cleared of all debris and unnecessary excess. Then mark the area where your protective flooring and lining will go with double-sided tape. Afterwards, you can begin unrolling your rubberized floor covering. It is important to lay down the double-sided tape prior to the rubber fitness flooring because the tape will act as a visual guideline, ensuring a more secure attachment to the surface below, as well as, a more professional-looking finish. Double sided tape is a another great DIY tool in the context of “how to install rubber flooring!”
When you find that your floor covering for gym is too short, this is where you will be required to seam. Seaming involves carefully cutting the ends of two adjoining rolls to produce a near perfect fit from one piece to the other. Before you start cutting, make sure that the area where the cutting will be taking place is on a surface that you do not mind marking or scratching. Surfaces like hardwood, linoleum and tile may not be areas you want to cut on.
After the initial rubberized floor covering (the roll that was too short) has been installed, place the second roll in an adjoining position. There should be a slight overlap from one end piece to another. Using your T-square ruler make a straight and precise cut across the rubber fitness flooring. Since the material of your protective flooring and lining is tough, you will need to make multiple cuts. This technique is called scoring.
Scoring is basically running a knife repeatedly over the same cut. For this step, make sure you cut all the way through. Your knife should cut through the surface of both the initial and bottom roll, because you will need a clear indication of where to cut the second roll after peeling away the first layer of rubber that has been cut. Once this step has been completed with the second roll, you can remove all the protective covering from the double-sided tape.
Now, you will see that the two rolls have been successfully secured onto the surface. Since you have cut the two end layers of the rubber fitness flooring at the same time, the floor covering for gym will appear consistent. Finally, the last step is to press one end of the roll against the other. You may also find that the protective flooring and lining will need some adjustments. Adjust it accordingly to ensure a smooth and leveled surface. Don’t worry about readjusting; it is common in rubber fitness flooring installation. This is also one of the benefits of using double-sided tape instead of heavy-duty, permanent adhesive.
There are many materials that can be used as floor covering for gym. Rubberized floor covering makes for excellent protective flooring and lining in home gyms, basements and garages. Our rubber fitness flooring products are made from recycled, natural and reclaimed rubber materials. They are durable, resilient and multifunctional surfacing options. If you still have questions about “how to install rubber flooring” contact one of our product specialists today!