Guide — Sports flooring
Installing and maintaining rubber gym tiles
Prepare rubber tile installation before delivery: measure the area, check the subfloor and plan cuts. Maintenance then starts with a simple routine adapted to dirt and traffic in your gym. This guide covers preparation for 100 × 100 cm tiles.
All BULLMAN rubber tiles are suitable for weight drops. The choice of thickness and installation depends on the environment: the type and condition of the subfloor, the area covered, loads, drop height and frequency, and noise or neighbouring-space constraints. BULLMAN also offers underlays for tiles that are particularly effective at improving cushioning during drops. Available on quotation, they are selected for your subfloor, floor area and environment. Contact us to discuss your project.
The delivered batch instructions remain the reference for fixing, installation gaps, acclimatisation and compatible products.
1. Measure the area and draw a tile layout
Measure each area’s length and width, then mark doors, columns, recesses and fixed equipment. The tile layout shows the position of whole tiles and cut pieces. It helps you order a suitable quantity and limit unusable offcuts.
A 100 × 100 cm tile covers a nominal 1 m². A 4 × 5 m room requires twenty whole tiles where the layout allows it. For an irregular room, divide the plan into simple areas, then consider how to reuse offcuts.
Do not automatically use the same spare-material percentage for every project. Obstacles, layout and reusable offcuts matter more than a single rate. Include replacement spares if your project calls for them.
2. Check the subfloor and access routes
The subfloor must suit the installation: clean, level, stable and in a condition compatible with the instructions. Address defects before covering them. Also check door clearances and connections to adjacent flooring.
Added thickness changes the finished floor level. Provide suitable transitions at access points and circulation areas. Check machine stability and installation requirements separately; flooring is no substitute for checking the subfloor or fixings.
For an upstairs room, also collect the necessary equipment and flooring weight information so a suitably qualified person can assess the project.
3. Prepare the tiles and choose a fixing method
On delivery, check product references, thicknesses and tile condition. Follow the batch storage and acclimatisation instructions before laying the floor.
BULLMAN tiles are laid edge to edge. Choosing between loose laying and additional fixing depends on the product instructions and forces in the area. Have the solution confirmed for a large area or exercises that could move the flooring.
Lay out the tiles dry to check alignment, edges and transitions. Measure the final pieces once this layout is confirmed. Perimeter gaps and any adhesive must follow the instructions, rather than applying a universal value to every tile.
4. Cut the tiles and check the installation
Transfer measurements and use a tool suitable for the material, following its manufacturer’s cutting and protection instructions. Work on a stable cutting surface and protect the existing floor. Take care around columns and doorways to maintain an even layout.
Before installing equipment, check joints, level differences and edge restraint. If adhesive fixing is used, respect its curing time before loading the floor. Move machines according to their instructions without dragging them over the new flooring.
To choose tiles before this stage, read the thickness guide and the smooth versus fine-grain comparison.
5. Organise routine maintenance
Remove dust and particles with suitable equipment. Clean localised dirt promptly. If damp cleaning is needed, use a product explicitly compatible with rubber and the instructions, follow its dilution rate, avoid excess water and allow the floor to dry before training resumes.
As a general reference, the REGUPOL everroll maintenance recommendations combine regular vacuuming with a neutral-pH detergent. They apply to that manufacturer’s range; they are not BULLMAN instructions or approval of a cleaning product for BULLMAN flooring.
Test the chosen method in a small, discreet area. For a stronger cleaner, scrubber-dryer or special process, obtain compatibility confirmation before use. Do not directly transfer products and settings used on ceramic tiles.
6. Monitor floor condition
Use cleaning time to inspect joints, edges and traffic areas. If a tile moves or deforms, identify the cause before replacing it: a machine support, lateral force, subfloor defect or installation method.
Adjust inspection frequency to usage. Keep the product reference, thickness and batch information to make later replacement easier. Spares from the same batch can help if a uniform appearance matters to your gym.
Reaction-to-fire classification: what to check
Flooring reaction-to-fire classification is determined under NF EN 13501-1. For premises open to the public in France, check the classification required for the room and the documentation for the exact product, taking its thickness, subfloor and installation conditions into account.
Frequently asked questions
Do the tiles always need to be glued?
The installation method depends on the product and project. BULLMAN descriptions mention loose laying; confirm suitability for your area and expected forces before installation.
Can tiles be laid directly over ceramic tiles?
BULLMAN tiles are suitable for weight drops; over ceramic tiles, the subfloor’s fragility and condition also matter. Check flatness, stability and expected loads to determine thickness and any additional layers.
Can I wash the floor with large amounts of water?
Do not improvise flood cleaning on an edge-to-edge installation. Use a method compatible with the instructions, subfloor and joints; for routine cleaning, control the amount of water and drying.
How should I prepare a quotation request?
Send a dimensioned plan, photos of the subfloor, intended uses and access constraints. Tell us if you need help with transitions or surface preparation.
Browse our fine-grain tiles, smooth tiles and the BULLMAN Flooring range. For your installation, request a tailored quotation.