Using carpet tiles as an entrance mat.

We have an entry with 3 doors coming into it. The floor is currently laminate. We don't like all the mats we need in the area. We are switching out the laminate for floating carpet tiles in an about 6' X 10' area so that we can just the tiles as an entry mat.

We won't have super wet or super muddy boots/shoes in the area, but we are still wondering about the possibility of moisture getting in between the tiles. The subfloor is plywood. After removing the laminate and leveling the floor what else should we do to prep the subfloor? Paint? Waterproof underlayment? We've done carpet tiles in another area and used tape to secure them to each other at the corners. Is this sufficient in this application?

Thanks much!
Sue

 

Carpet tiles are not waterproof in any way. If the carpet gets wet it's going to hold the water on the wood and prevent drying and the plywood will rot. Any sealing you do of the plywood underneath wont hurt anything but underneath carpet I would not bother. Painting or sealing the plywood will help a bit but if your not removing the carpet and drying it and the subfloor after it gets wet the water will get through any paint or coating.

 

Commercial carpet tiles are typically nylon pile secured by a rubber backing. Unless there is a deluge getting them wet should not affect the subfloor below. Muddy wet boots, shoes, etc. will not be a problem and tiles are ideal for that application since they can be easily removed and cleaned. I have them in my entry vestibule. If vacuuming does not get them clean enough they can be damp cleaned with a carpet cleaner or even taken out and hosed down.

Double stick tape or removable glue can be used to secure them. Small tabs of tape or small dabs of glue is enough to hold them in place. If the space is small and has walls or flooring edges to finish to they can be friction fitted and no glue or tape is required. My vestibule space is about 5' X 6' and the tiles are trimmed to fit tight against the threshold and baseboards.

 

Thanks for the replies. Pilot Dane, I should have specified that these are commercial tile of nylon with a PVC backing. 2john02458, thanks for the reassurance on the application. I'm glad to know they've worked well for others this way.