Rubber flooring is the most popular choice for home gyms — and for good reason. It provides:
- Durability to support heavy exercise equipment.
- Protection for your floors, preventing damage due to dropped weights and high traffic.
- Impact reduction for your body and equipment.
- Easy maintenance and installation.
- A safe, non-slip surface for injury prevention.
- Noise reduction for a peaceful workout.
- Environmental considerations through the use of recycled materials.
That said, one of the most common questions at Perfect Surfaces is: “Can I install rubber flooring over existing carpet?” The short answer is yes! But there are several factors you’ll want to consider before you commit.
If removing carpet from your home gym isn’t an option, Perfect Surfaces has the products you need to install rubber flooring over carpet.
Why Would I Install Rubber Over My Carpet?
It’s a good question. The reality is removing carpet before installing your home gym isn’t always an option. It can be time-consuming and costly. Furthermore, if you’re renting or you want to keep the existing carpet for the future, you won’t want to go through the hassle.
Whether you’re looking for a temporary home gym solution, or you simply need a small space to work out in, removing carpet isn’t always practical. Installing rubber flooring over your carpet is an easy solution with so many benefits.
Challenges of Installing Rubber Flooring Over Carpet
While carpet offers benefits like padding and added comfort, it isn’t ideal for gym flooring, which requires a hard, level surface for stability and performance. Carpet can compromise support, creating an uneven foundation that affects workouts. Choosing the right rubber flooring for your specific carpet type is key to ensuring a safe and effective gym setup.
Best Rubber Flooring Options for Carpeted Home Gyms
The top rubber flooring choices to place over carpet are VersaRUBBER® mats and GatorSHOCK® rubber tiles. Both are designed to work well over carpets, as they provide support during workouts while protecting the subfloor from heavy weights and equipment.
Low-Pile Carpet Solutions
Our VersaRUBBER® mats and GatorSHOCK® tiles are both perfect for installation directly over low-pile carpets (pile height less than ¼”). Available in sheets, mats, or tiles, these high-quality rubber home gym flooring options are heavy enough to sit flat and can be installed without glue or tape, allowing for easy removal of temporary fitness spaces.
Medium-Pile Carpet Solutions
Installing VersaRUBBER® mats and GatorSHOCK® tiles over carpets with a pile height between ¼” and ½” is also an option, though a plywood subfloor may be required for additional stability over certain pile heights and types of carpet (cut pile vs. loop pile vs. cut-loop pile). Perfect for temporary gym flooring solutions, both options can be installed without glue or tape, allowing for easy setup and removal as needed.
High-Pile Carpet Solutions
For higher-pile carpets (½” or thicker pile height), ultra-thick GatorSHOCK® tiles are heavy duty enough to be installed over plush carpets, in conjunction with a plywood sub-base. A sturdy sub base is critical to preventing separation and movement of the rubber flooring, as well as for providing the required stability for supporting fitness equipment and machines. Another easy short-term home gym flooring solution, SHOCK tiles boast a unique X-Connector interlocking system to hold the tiles together without the use of adhesives.
Installation Guide: Laying Rubber Flooring Over Carpet
Installing rubber flooring over carpet is simple and doesn’t require many tools or adhesives. The key is to use high-quality products that are heavy enough to lay flat with a tight fit and finish.
Step 1: Prepare the Area
- Clear the room of furniture and equipment.
- Vacuum and clean the carpet to remove dust and debris.
Step 2: Choose the Right Rubber Flooring
- Select a material based on your carpet type and workout needs.
- Consider thickness, durability, and ease of installation.
Step 3: Install the Flooring
- For low-pile carpets: Lay down rubber sheets/mats/tiles directly.
- For medium-pile carpets: Lay down rubber sheets/mats/tiles directly over carpet, or layered over a supportive subfloor (if necessary).
- For high-pile carpets: Install a sturdy plywood subfloor first and use ultra-thick rubber tiles.
- Ensure proper alignment and tight fit to prevent shifting and movement of rubber flooring.
Step 4: Check for Stability and Safety
- Test for movement or uneven surfaces.
- Adjust if necessary to ensure a firm, level gym floor.
Other Things to Consider
When choosing the right type of flooring for your home gym, some key factors to take into account are:
- The types of exercises you’ll be doing and whether equipment is required.
- The space and shape of the area you need to cover.
- Your budget.
Consult a Professional
The best way to ensure you choose the right rubber flooring to install over your carpet is to ask the experts. The Perfect Surfaces team is here to answer any of your questions and ensure you get the right product for your home gym. Whether you need to lay flooring on the carpet or look for a more permanent solution, we’ll guide you in the right direction.
Check out our catalogue of high-quality rubber flooring, or contact us today. We’ll help you create your perfect home gym!
FAQs
1. Can I install rubber flooring directly over my carpet?
Yes, but the rubber flooring you choose will depend on the type of carpet. Lighter-weight rubber flooring can usually be installed directly over low-pile carpets; heavier rubber flooring is ideal over medium-pile carpets, sometimes in conjunction with a sturdy subfloor; and thick, plush carpets will require a heavy rubber flooring and plywood subfloor to create a more stable surface.
2. Will rubber flooring move or shift on top of the carpet?
It can shift if the carpet is too thick, doesn’t have a plywood subfloor, or the rubber flooring is installed improperly. Test your flooring once installed to ensure a tight fit, and adjust as needed.
3. What are the benefits of installing rubber flooring over carpet?
Rubber flooring provides a stable, slip-resistant surface for workouts, protects the carpet from wear and tear, and improves shock absorption for high-impact exercises.
4. How do I keep rubber flooring from damaging my carpet?
While most rubber flooring won’t cause damage to your carpeting, a layer of plywood or underlay can provide additional protection.
5. Is rubber flooring better than using a workout mat over a carpet?
Yes, rubber flooring provides better stability, durability, and full-room coverage compared to smaller workout mats, which can slide or bunch up during workouts.
