- Rubber flooring can completely change your barn or recreational space
- With the right product, tools, and prep, many customers can install Therubberman.com rubber flooring themselves
- Follow our tips for securing the subfloor, cutting mats, and more to install today
Create your ideal space from the ground up with rubber flooring. Whether you’re updating your barn, outdoor areas at your farm, or a gym space, rubber flooring options from Therubberman.com will change your environment for the better.
If you’re unsure how to install rubber flooring, our how-to guide provides a step-by-step process and DIY rubber flooring tips to make the job easy. So, search our products to find the right pieces for your project, bookmark this how-to guide, and use our five tips for installing rubber flooring.
Why Rubber Flooring?
Our rubber flooring is made of recycled, re-vulcanized rubber. This makes it dense, durable, and suitable for demanding spaces like barns, stalls, and gyms.
It is designed to hold up under regular use, and the material is malleable, settling into your spaces and staying practical for active barns, stalls, and gym spaces, making it worth learning how to install it.
The re-vulcanized rubber provides cushioning for joint stress and is moisture-resistant, ensuring a safe, clean, dry space for you and your animals.
The DIY rubber flooring process is fairly easy, thanks to the user-friendly edges, and the mats are easy to clean.
Tip 1: Choose the Right Rubber Flooring Product
While every piece in Therubberman.com's inventory carries our promise of high-quality rubber products, not every item works for every project. The first step when learning how to install rubber flooring is choosing the right product for your needs.
Our interlocking mats are ideal for barn stalls and spaces. They also work well in home or commercial gyms. Explore our rubber pavers for barn aisles, offices, and patios. We also offer specific cuts to line trailers, as well as rolls of aisle flooring.
Tip 2: Prepare the Subfloor
As with most things in life, a solid foundation is crucial. Before you lay the first mat in your DIY rubber flooring project, you’ll need to prepare the subfloor. This is especially important in barns where flooring is prone to shifting under weight and elements.
So, as you learn how to install rubber flooring, start with the bottom layer.
You can use wood, concrete, or asphalt for a strong base. Do not rely on a natural base, such as dirt, clay, or sand, since it can lead to erosion.
Steps to Preparing the Subfloor
- Level the natural dirt floor
- Cover the ground with 4 to 6 inches of crushed substrate and level this layer as well
- Tamp down the substrate to make it as strong as possible, then spritz with a hose to reduce dust
- Use a vibrator-compactor (this can be rented) to compact the ground, particularly around the edges and corners
As you learn how to install rubber flooring, you’ll get a feel for when the subfloor is ready based on the ability to walk across the substrate without leaving a footprint.
Tip 3: Gather the Right Tools
With the right tools, any job feels possible. We recommend the following tools for DIY rubber flooring installation.
Materials:
- "T" square
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- White-out pen
- Chalk line
- Utility knife
DIY tip: Keep extra utility knife blades nearby. Rubber matting is dense, and a sharp blade helps you make cleaner, safer cuts with less effort.
Tip 4: Measure and Cut Where Needed
At Therubberman.com, we offer a plethora of rubber flooring in a variety of sizes, from individual small mats to large kits that, when assembled, can fill a room. Our expert customer service team is happy to guide you as you learn how to install rubber flooring in your specific-sized barn or gym.
However, we also know there are unique spots and angles in every room or stall. When that happens, cut your rubber flooring using these three steps.
- Measure the area you’re installing the mat and where it will need to be customized
- Use the chalk line or white-out pen to mark the dimensions you need to cut on the mat
- Use the T-square to guide your utility knife for a straight cut
Follow the Layout Plan
Once you have the more challenging areas figured out, it’s fairly easy to figure out how to install your new rubber flooring. Place your first mat along the back wall, like a cornerstone, then work across and forward.
Move the second mat into place. If using straight-edge mats in your DIY rubber flooring project, line them up flush, then move to the next. If using interlocking tabs, use the hammer to lightly tap them into place.
Lay down the subsequent pieces in an “L” shape when possible, and work towards the door. Measure and cut your final piece at the doorway to ensure a tight fit against the threshold.
DIY Tip: If you are working with larger mats, have another person help move and position them. Rubber mats can be heavy, and forcing them into place alone can make alignment harder.
Use Kit Guidance
If you are using one of our rubber flooring kits, the rules for how to install rubber flooring are slightly different. The kits come with labeled pieces and a guide for how they fit together, like a puzzle. These pieces are different sizes with different edges, so it’s important to follow these instructions.
Conclusion
A DIY rubber flooring installation doesn’t have to be daunting. Just use these five tips and tricks to transform your space. If you do still have any questions or concerns, the team at Therubberman.com is here to help, so contact us today!