How can I cut these rubber gym tiles myself?
- Bob P.
The Fit-Lock Rubber Tiles are dense rubber flooring products but can still be cut down with little effort - essentially, the rubber can be cut using a utility knife with a fresh, sharp blade and a straight edge or T-square. (For larger, commercial jobs, they can even be cut down with a flooring tile cutter.) If using a utility knife, it will take several strokes of the knife. Mark the line to be cut and then score it before doing a deeper cut. Don't press too hard but just put some pressure on as you cut and, after a few strokes, you'll cut right through the rubber. A good trick to help make the cutting a little easier is to dip the blade into soapy water to help it glide with less friction across the rubber. A hand saw (and especially a power saw) would be too fast and dangerous for cutting down these tiles and could prevent a straight cut edge.
Are these heat resistant?
- Harold M.
Yes, these Fit-Lock Tiles are heat-resistant and are not negatively affected in any way by heated floors or if used in a very warm environment (including outdoors on a hot day). (Please note, however, that if the matting is exposed to extreme temperature changes, it is possible that the rubber can expand slightly in very warm environments and contract just a little bit in colder settings.)
What is the recommended way to clean/disinfect this after use?
- Tory
Vacuuming will help remove finer particles of dust, debris, dirt, etc. from these all-rubber puzzle tiles. The tiles can also be moped with a mild detergent or a little soap and warm water. Simply let the mat air dry and they'll be good to go. Although not necessary but for a deeper cleaning, you can easily separate the tiles and bring them outside to hose down. However. sweeping and/or vacuuming should take care of virtually all of your day-to-day dirt and debris.
Is this product mold and mildew resistant for use on basement floors?
- Anonymous
Yes! These rubber puzzle tiles are made to be mold and mildew resistant (due to the warm, sweaty environments they're often used in) and can safely be placed in basements, garages and other areas that might have exposure to moisture.
Can I use Fit-Lock Rubber Tiles outdoors?
- Todd S.
Yes, these rubber gym tiles can certainly be used outdoors and not be negatively affected by exposure to rain, snow, sun, etc.
Are Fit-Lock Rubber Tiles ‘FloorScore’ certified?
- James W.
Floorscore is made up of a product's VOC certification as well as the recycled content. We have those in two separate certifications from 3rd parties (GreenCircle for recycled content and Berkeley Analytical for VOC). We are happy to provide this documentation. A good article to find out more about these certifications is here. Fit-Lock Tiles are non-toxic and do not off gas any toxic fumes. These rubber tiles are safe for use indoors, around children, pets and more sensitive individuals.
Can Fit-Lock Tiles be used in a doggy daycare facility?
- Cynthia B.
Certainly! These interlocking rubber tiles can absolutely be used in a dog daycare facility: the Fit-Lock Tiles hold up well to paws/claws, are safe, non-toxic, and don't absorb any liquids while remaining easy to clean. Additionally, they provide great traction and impact resistance for dogs running and romping around.
How much do the tiles weigh?
- Timothy G.
These 3/8" thick rubber gym tiles weigh right around 2 lbs per square foot and each tile measures 2' x 2' (or 4 square feet total) and thus each tile weighs close to 8 lbs each.
I like the description but why is this rubber flooring more expensive than rubber stall mats I can find at my local supply store?
- Rob L.
What typical stall mat suppliers offer is quite a different product and intended for a different use. Their crumb rubber mats are imported and are not 100% rubber granules. In particular, their mats are (1) made with different types of rubber whereas we use only industrial-grade, non-reactive rubber that is the same type of premium rubber you'd find in a car or airplane tire and it won't leach or stain the floor below, (2) they use hazardous binders (ie, adhesives) to form the mats, some of these glues are noxious and give off a terrible, long-lasting odor that can make some people more sensitive to the smell sick, (3) their rubber has filler in it to help drive the cost down but it isn't as flexible, doesn't give the rebound and return of energy that our gym matting does, which is specifically formulated for that use and also allows our mats to lay and stay flat and hold up outdoors, in garages (when driven on top of), etc. without cracking, warping or breaking down. Lastly, (4) our mats are geared for commercial gym and fitness center use and carry a warranty to prove it whereas their mats are designed for farm/animal stable use and don't meet the same government or industry testing, safety and durability/longevity requirements that our mats do.
Do you offer a transition strip for use with the Fit-Lock Tiles?
- Teddy R.
Our Beveled Edge Ramps come in a few thicknesses but the High Profile version is appropriately sized for the Fit-Lock Tiles, providing a gentle slope for walking on and off the rubber tiles.
Can I use these tiles for p90x and insanity? My hands and feet are killing me with the current flooring in the spare bedroom where I work out!
- Michael F.
Fit-Lock tiles are a great option for both shock absorption and energy restitution while working out. They'll provide comfort, fatigue relief, enhanced traction and although you'll be sore from the workout itself, the flooring will keep you safe and feeling better. (This is the same type of rubber flooring you'd find at a commercial gym or school fitness facility.)
Can Fit-Lock be used in a production warehouse? We have items that can weigh, literally, thousands of pounds sit on the floor for days and want to protect the inventory and the floor.
- Robert B.
Fit-Lock tiles can easily withstand the 1000s of lbs for days at a time without becoming damaged or prematurely worn. The rubber tiles offer impact protection and will help keep the equipment, items and floor much safer (and quieter).
Would Fit-Lock tiles hold up well for a high school lockerroom where the football team walks around in cleats?
- Adam C.
Fit-Lock tiles are a great choice for a high school locker room and will hold up quite well for many years, even when the players are walking around in their cleats.
Do the tiles get slippery? Between sweat and water dripping off the truck, I'm a little concerned.
- Zac B.
Fit-Lock tiles are slip-resistant, even when wet. Sweat or rain/snow runoff will not negatively affect the tiles. Also, the rubber inherently has superb traction. The tiles connect tightly and stay put, even with lots of motion so you shouldn't really worry about slips and falls due to moisture or separation.
Do I start installing from the center of the room or the corner?
- Bobby B.
Great question! If only working with Center tiles then it's best to start the installation from the center of the space and work your way outward. For wall-to-wall installations using Corner, Border and Center tiles, it's best to place the first Corner shaped Fit-Lock tile in a corner and then work your way across the row and down to the next row (just like reading - across, down, across).
Are these tiles made in the USA?
- Tina D.
Absolutely! These premium interlocking Fit-Lock Tiles are manufactured here in the US from US-sourced components. Fit-Lock tiles meet the strictest safety regulations on raw components, indoor air quality (IAQ) and are non-poisonous and thus safe to use around young children and pets.
Can these tiles be installed on top of the commercial carpet in my basement?
- Jermaine J.
Absolutely! Fit-Lock Tiles can be used over commercial carpets without any issue.
Are the interlocking tiles easy to put together?
- Ronnie S.
Yes! The tiles are extremely easy to install – glues, tapes and experience are all NOT required. Simply lay the tiles out like a big jigsaw puzzle and you're good to go.
I’m debating between the rubber tile and the rubber roll? What’s your recommendation for a home gym?
- George B.
Rubber Roll Matting is typically a little less expensive compared to interlocking rubber tiles like Fit-Lock Tiles, and allows you to cover large areas with less installation effort. For smaller/tighter spaces and areas that are not rectangular in shape, interlocking tiles make the process easier and quicker. The actual material and warranty are the exact same. Please note that these tiles are 2' x 2' in size whereas rubber roll matting is always 4' wide (and is cut down to whatever length is needed).
Can Fit-Lock tiles be used outdoors?
- Wang C.
These commercial-grade rubber tiles can certainly be used outside, even on very warm or very cold days. The rubber itself is mildew-resistant and can withstand the elements (rain, wind, sun, snow). If dirt, debris, salts and the like get tracked across the Fit-Lock tiles, sweeping them off or simply hosing them down should help keep them clean. (For a deeper cleaning, a little bit of soap can be used as well but it's not necessary.) Also, please note that the Fit-Lock Tiles are made of rubber which can expand and contract slightly when the outdoor temperature fluctuates more drastically so if the tiles are arranged wall-to-wall, there's a chance they can buckle if not given a little space around the perimeter (about 1/2").
My basement floor isn't perfectly even - there are some hairline cracks in the concrete and other areas that have small pits, divots and gouges in the floor. Do I need to patch the floor before installing the tiles?
- Whitney H.
Fit-Lock Tiles are 3/8" thick and will lay flat and be safe to use on a hard floor that isn't perfectly level and has some minor cracks, scrapes and bruises. For larger holes in the floor (anything substantial enough that someone could trip in while walking across), it may be necessary to patch them up, however, for virtually all imperfections and wear and tear found on a standard floor, the tiles can simply be laid over top without additional repairs.
Will the tiles get damaged if I roll machines like a treadmill or Peleton across the rubber tiles frequently? Will the weight of these or my free weight rack damage the tiles?
- David B.
Fit-Lock Rubber Tiles is heavy-duty, premium rubber flooring and will not become damaged from rolling exercise equipment across the surface regardless of frequency. Heavy components (including a free weight rack) will not damage the rubber even if sitting on the rubber for months (or years).
Do I need to lay anything down on the floor before installing these rubber gym tiles?
- Simon L.
The Fit-Lock Rubber Tiles can be installed directly on your existing floor without having to prep the floor in any way or add any additional layers. In virtually all cases and all flooring surfaces (wood, tile, marble, terrazzo, concrete, LVT, ceramic, laminate, etc.) the tiles can simply be laid down without any issue. This premium rubber itself is non-reactive and, unlike other rubber Producers who use fillers, this rubber flooring is designed not to break down or leach. If, however, there's any concern, a simple plastic sheeting can be used between the rubber tiles and the floor below.
Do the tiles scoot around the floor when working out? Should they be glued down?
- Neil T.
In virtually all cases/flooring types, the Fit-Lock rubber tiles will stay firmly in place whether a small area is covered or they're used wall-to-wall. Glue or tape would not be necessary. The exceptions to this are if the tiles are used on thick, plush carpets where the user will be twisting, turning and torquing in all directions or an area where very heavy objects are constantly dragged (not rolled) across the tiles. Otherwise, glue and tape can be skipped.
Do Fit-Lock Tiles hold up well in a garage in NYC?
- Nino G.
Fit-Lock Tiles will perform fabulously in a garage - cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles can drive across the rubber tiles without ruining them. Rain and snow runoff will not deteriorate the tiles. Hot summer days and cold winter nights will not wear down the rubber either. Most engine fluids will not react with this rubber. However, oil can slowly degrade the rubber so if, by chance, there happens to be a vehicle that is known to leak oil, just put a little plastic sheet down to act as a barrier or if the leak is infrequent just clean the rubber once it's noticed. Also, if the Fit-Lock tiles are being used wall-to-wall and it's an environment that has larger temperature swings then it's recommended to leave a 1/2" gap around the perimeter for expansion of the rubber.
