I'm setting up a home gym and planning to cover the floor with 8mm, 15-ft rubber rolls (around 4 rolls total to be exact). I've heard mixed advice on how to secure them: the store suggests using double-sided tape, while others say I can just lay them down and let the weight keep them in place. I'd love some input from anyone who's tackled this before. Specifically, do I really need the adhesive or tape, or will the rolls stay put? Also, any tips on making a clean cut for one roll I need to resize? Finally, are there any important things to consider when laying these rolls over a subfloor? By the way, the shop offered to install them for $720, which seems like a lot. This is my first time with rolled rubber flooring, so any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
When it comes to cutting, a box cutter or utility knife does the trick. Just score it a few times until you cut through. Make sure to apply good pressure when you're cutting! Also, for a finished look, I used black flex seal in the gaps after laying it down; looks professional!
You can definitely just roll it out. A little bit of tape on the edges helps keep everything in place. Once I laid mine down, I didn’t have any problems with movement. Looks great too!
By the way, I’ve got to ask: is 8mm a standard thickness for gym flooring? Seems a bit thin, right? I could see it compressing quickly unless it’s really dense.
I’m not a fan of taping the flooring down, honestly. If you ever need to remove it, cleanup is a hassle. Plus, moisture can get trapped underneath, leading to a musty smell, especially if there are cracks or spills.
You might want to tape down the edges, but honestly, just laying it down can work too. I've had rubber flooring like this for years without any issues! Just make sure you prepare your surface properly for the tape to hold if you go that route.
You’re right! If it’s the typical shredded rubber kind, it usually doesn’t curl up.
We tackled it by unrolling the flooring and using plastic trash bins filled with water. Just spaced them out and let it sit for a couple of weeks; worked like a charm!
Actually, 8mm is pretty standard for general use in gyms. It’s enough to handle dropping dumbbells while still providing cushion for floor work. Typical setups have thicker mats for areas where heavy lifting occurs.