Can rubber tiles be laid over timber decking, composite decking, parquet or laminate flooring?

Rubber tiles can be laid directly over outdoor timber decking and composite decking (WPC decking), as well as over indoor parquet and laminate flooring. They are installed without adhesive, drilling or fixing to the substrate. Depending on the range, the individual tiles are joined by a jigsaw interlock or plastic connectors. The existing construction remains unchanged, and the covering can be lifted again whenever required.

Indoors, the rubber covering protects vulnerable parquet or laminate flooring from indentations and mechanical damage during fitness training, events, dog sports or building work. It can also provide slip resistance and shock absorption where required, for example in playrooms and training rooms. A separating layer is not normally needed between the tiles and the parquet or laminate flooring. An exception may be made at events where moisture could reach the covering and the parquet needs protection from damp. Absorbent protective layers should not be left permanently beneath the covering because they can retain moisture that cannot readily dry.

Before installation on weather-exposed timber decking, boards of walkways and jetties or composite decking, the boards and supporting joists must be checked to ensure that they remain structurally sound. Weathered, damaged or distorted elements should be repaired or replaced. The rubber tiles can then be laid directly on a sound, level deck. Gaps between the decking boards do not affect installation. Depending on tile thickness, the elastic tiles can bridge isolated, localised openings measuring 2 to 3 cm. Rainwater passes through the permeable rubber tiles and then flows along the existing fall towards the open gaps between the decking boards.