Tape or other adhesive for Flor carpet tiles?

8 years ago

We have approximately 70 Flor tiles that have served us well over the last 5 years -- we've moved with them 3 times, and it's been great that they have adapted to whatever shape our new living room has in each new house. Unfortunately, those stupid Flordots cost a fortune to buy every time we move. You can't use the old ones, because they are sufficiently sticky enough. And, as a million hits online will tell you, you need to put twice as many stickers on each tile as the store advises - which means we're looking at $50-$60 just for new Flordots. Ridiculous.

Has anyone just used gorilla tape or something similar to keep their tiles together? Seems like this would solve two problems: cheaper than the Flordots, plus less likely to come apart over time. What about damage to the hardwood floor underneath? Any other suggestions?

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Viola Wells

6 years ago

It's been a while but I see you are still active here.

Any chance you have found any alternatives to the FLOR dots? I've had the same issue for years. I like to change up my squares often and have tried unsuccessfully with a number of different types of tape...making sticky messes. Recently moved and have a large stack of squares in need of installation. Really don't want to have to order a ton of the official dots again.

Any suggestions to try?

Thanks!

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Comments (17)

lisaam
8 years ago
what about square pieces of wide plastic packing tape? that seems similar to me as the flor dots, probably a bit stickier. I've not used gorilla tape, but wouldn't it be too sticky (from the name, like the glue?). My flor tiles went down well w/ dots just at the corners, no extras, and I've take several tiles up to wash and have put back down again.

A note to anyone who's interested, flor tiles have been a wonderful answer to the problems of dogs and carpeting.
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amanda99999
6 years ago
I have same question as Viola. (Cheaper alternative to FLOR dots - i.e., adhesive on only one side, to hold carpet tiles together/down.) TIA!
H202
Original Author
6 years ago
Well, I ended up using the light brown masking tape in 2015, and it only lasted a year or so before the tape started tearing in long sections. By that point, we were moving again (!) so this time I used a 3m thick duct tape 2" wide but made sure I put a rug pad that covers the entire area so that, if the tape ever disintegrates, it won't damage my floor. We are going on 3 months with this and no problems yet. BUT (and a big but), the masking tape totally destroyed the bottom most layer of the flor tiles, so when we moved this time and I was removing the old tape, the bottoms of the tiles were disintegrating in my hands. The tile is still totally functional -- it's just the thin gauzey layer on the bottom that's messed up. And again, I'm using a rug pad this time around. But as I was taking off the old tape and adding new tape, I definitely acknowledged to myself that this was the absolute last time I would be able to get away with re-using the same flor tiles. Hopefully we aren't moving again any time soon!
PRO
AG Design
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I had the same issue using duct tape on my Flor carpet tiles. I found this at home depot and am going to try it soon. And under $14.00 for 30!

Invision

TileTab Modular Carpet Connectors
Michelle Tom
4 years ago
thank you
das333
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Would TileTab Modular Carpet Connectors work? Or J+J/Invision TileTabs?
thenebelsiecks
3 years ago
Duct tape melted and made a mess for us.
Helica
3 years ago
Maybe FLOR reduced the price on the dots since this forum started 5 years ago, but as of 2020 they're only $5 for a set of 12. Honestly, save yourself the time and frustration, and just order more FLORdots. Other tapes/adhesives can be a nightmare. Compare to AG Design's post above, who got 30 "Invision" modular carpet connectors for <$14, I just ordered 36 FLORdots for $15 and shipping was free. Seems very reasonable to me.
bcappa
2 years ago
I agree- Flor - is the best! I've had Flor for many years, and I tried several other things.

(Invision

TileTab Modular Carpet Connectors)
therealgood
last year
We started cutting the Flor dots in half. Seem to be holding. Just be sure to wipe down underneath those carpet tile squares before applying.
HU-700245595
last year
The only tape I would use is gaffers tape. First, it's a fabric based tape. Next, it holds like crazy but leaves no residue and comes up clean. I used it on a small entry carpet, and it worked well. Genuine gaffers tape is not cheap, but it is great to have around for other projects and repairs. I even used it to seal a leaky sunroof on an old car that wasn't worth fixing...gaffer's tape is also waterproof.
Aiko M
last year
In case anyone else is looking for a solution to this: I've found that the green Flor Dots+ are not as good as the original yellow ones. The green ones stay sticky and "wet" and makes a mess on the floors underneath. Also, because they remain sticky the tiles just glide apart. I have reached out to Flor about this but haven't received an answer from them.
mrbutt1
11 months ago
Great info on Flor dots alternatives. They have held my tiles together for 16 years. I have another dilemma, though. Hopefully it's okay to ask it here. Unfortunately I did not read that carpet tiles could not be installed over the sealant on my concrete floors, nor did I realize that there is a sealant on the floor. I have wanted to redecorate my floors but am stymied by not being able to remove all the tiles. Does anyone have an idea on what to use to break the "forever seal" between the tiles and the floor. Some tiles came up easily while others are holding on tight whether they are a whole tile or partially torn tile. I have used most cleaning fluids, alcohol, vinegar, baking soda concoctions, etc. I'd prefer to not have to use a varnish remover, but that might be the only solution. Someone suggested a heat gun which I have not tried yet. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you!
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
11 months ago
Mrbutt you will probably get more advice by starting a new thread titled something like ‘help my flor tiles stuck to my concrete slab!’
mrbutt1
11 months ago
Thank you!
mrbutt1
11 months ago
However, I'm not seeing any way to start a new thread. I've searched several times.

Tape or other adhesive for Flor carpet tiles?

Viola Wells

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