Rubber Backed Carpet 

For a playroom, utility room, home gymnasium or kitchen, rubber backed carpet is an ideal material to use. Rubber backed carpet is designed for easy home installation and can be laid in place without the need for underlay or padding. Many brands offer a self adhesive backing for a simple and clean installation; other varieties will need an adhesive to be used. They can be laid with a minimum of tools and easily cut to form a neat border with even the most awkward corners.

Rubber backed carpet can be purchased in rolls or in interlocking floor tiles. The tiles are particularly convenient to install, and form a perfect seal. Usually tiles are purchased in 18 inch squares, and a box will cover around 40 to 60 square feet. The carpet can be easily cut with either scissors or a utility knife with a meter rule or straight edge.

Removing old rubber backed carpet is not always necessary when laying a new. Should you wish to remove old rubber backed carpet before laying a new layer, this can easily be done with a scraper. Some find that soaking before removal helps to loosen the adhesive, or a heat gun can be used to good effect. 

If you have miscalculated, or did not need the margin of error you worked into your original square footage calculation, excess rubber backed carpet can be used to make dust mats and protective covering for your car. It is an excellent material to lie in the trunk, especially if you carry a lot of garden rubbish, or dirty tools. Simply cut to size or lay the off cuts.

Rubber backed carpet can be bought for between $2 and $6 per square foot for most varieties. The price will depend on the thickness of the carpet layer. You may wish to have a little extra padding for safety in playrooms and to cushion any falls. In a gymnasium it can also make for a more comfortable workout.

Rubber backed carpet is an inexpensive flooring material to use and is ideal for DIY home improvement. Savings made in installation charges, and the minimal of tools required make this an excellent all round choice. Whilst it will not be suitable for every room in the house, it can be used to very good effect in areas where a cushioned waterproof surface and backing are advisable.