Rubber Floor Tiles

Recycled rubber flooring from RFS is available in rubber rolls or rubber tiles. When choosing the best rubber flooring for your space, it is helpful to understand the primary differences between rolls and tiles before making your selection. 

For a more in-depth review of rubber flooring options, read our Rubber 101 article on Rubber Rolls or Rubber Tiles? 

RFS Recycled Rubber Tiles are an incredibly versatile and durable product that offers an easy DIY solution for installing rubber flooring. Ideal for irregular shaped spaces or for temporary installations, rubber tiles feature precision-cut interlocking tabs for ultra-fast assembly. 

Recycled rubber tiles are environmentally-friendly and made from repurposed vehicle tires. They are available in two different sizes and all of the same thicknesses as RFS rubber rolls. 

RFS offers two different tile sizes in multiple thicknesses and colors. Our 24”x24” interlocking rubber tile provides four square feet of coverage and is commonly used for home gyms, garages, workshops and kid’s playrooms. Our 18”x18” interlocking rubber tiles include edging for a clean finished perimeter. These tiles are used for smaller, dedicated applications such as anti-fatigue flooring, equipment protection flooring or exercise flooring for individual use.    

Home gyms: Rubber gym tiles that are 6mm (1/4”) or 8mm (5/16”) thick are typically used for personal fitness spaces like Pilates or yoga and low to moderate weight training. Other common flooring applications include: laundry rooms, basements, garages, and kid’s playrooms.

• RFS 1/4” (6mm) Rubber Tiles – 24”x24”

• RFS 1/4” (6mm) Rubber Tiles – 18”x18”

• RFS 5/16” (8mm) Rubber Tiles – 24”x24”

• RFS 5/16” (8mm) Rubber Tiles – 18”x18”

Commercial gyms: Rubber gym tiles that are 9mm (3/8”) thick are widely used in smaller commercial gyms, exercise rooms, fitness, and health clubs. These tiles are made to handle heavy equipment and high foot traffic for the most demanding environments. Other common flooring applications include: home gyms, industrial areas, schools and doggy daycare facilities. 

• RFS 3/8” (9mm) Rubber Tiles – 24” x 24”

• RFS 3/8” (9mm) Rubber Tiles – 18” x 18”

Powerlifting/Cross training environments: Rubber gym tiles that are 12mm (1/2”) thick are required for maximum subfloor protection from extra-heavy weight impact. Our thickest rubber gym tile flooring provides superior comfort for high-intensity cross training. Other common flooring applications include: CrossFit gyms, garage gyms, tradeshow flooring and pet care facilities.

• RFS 1/2” (12mm) Rubber Tiles – 24” x 24”

• RFS 1/2” (12mm) Rubber Tiles – 18” x 18”

Recycled Rubber Tiles combine the benefits of incredible durability, slip-resistance and shock absorption with the ease of installation and convenience of portability. Rubber tiles, however, can potentially shift from heavy equipment and trap dirt in multiple seams across the floor.  

Pros of Recycled Rubber Tiles

Durable & resilient: Made from recycled rubber tires, this long-lasting material is known for withstanding incredible wear and repetitive use.

Exceptional shock absorption: Dense rubber material cushions impacts from dropped weights to protect your subfloor, provides underfoot comfort, and reduces injury risk. 

Slip-resistant: The unique surface texture of recycled rubber provides a non-slip grip and is slip-resistant when wet. Rubber tiles will help prevent slips and falls in your space.

Sound & vibration dampening: Recycled rubber is excellent at dampening noise and vibration from dropped weights or workout equipment. The dense rubber also helps reduce footfall and airborne noise between rooms.  

Water- & mold/mildew-resistant: Recycled rubber does not absorb water and is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. Its water-resistant properties make rubber tiles and excellent choice for areas prone to dampness, such as gyms, basements and outdoor spaces.

Eco-friendly: Rubber tiles are made from recycled tires, which reduces landfill waste and promotes sustainability. Recycled rubber tiles can also be recycled at the end of its life. 

Easy to install: Interlocking “puzzle piece” design allows for lightning fast, DIY installation. Individual tiles can also be replaced if damaged or worn. 

Aesthetically versatile: Rubber tiles are available in various colors and can be used interchangeably to create different floor designs. 

Low maintenance: Rubber flooring is easy to clean. Simply vacuum, mop the floor with a pH-neutral cleaner and allow the rubber to air dry.  

Cons of Recycled Rubber Tiles

Visible seams: The shape of interlocking rubber tiles create more visible seams that can collect dirt and debris over time.

Vulnerable to heavy loads: Recycled rubber tiles have more seams, which can separate when subject to heavy loads or shift when moving equipment. Uneven seams can create tripping hazards. Double-sided adhesive tape can help secure rubber tiles to the subfloor.

Vulnerable to oil and UV: Although recycled rubber tiles can be used in outdoor spaces – including garages – auto fluids, oil and grease can stain or damage the rubber. Color flecks can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight.  

Higher upfront cost: Rubber tiles are more expensive per square foot than rubber rolls due to their modularity and tile manufacturing process. The DIY nature of rubber tiles can help homeowners offset the upfront cost by installing the tiles themselves and reducing trim waste.   

Recycled Rubber Tiles from RFS are available in a variety of thicknesses. The rubber thickness you select for your space is one of the most important decisions for protecting your subfloor and matching the rubber durability to your specific activity. 

6mm (1/4”) – Commonly used for home gyms where flexibility/body weight exercises and lightweight equipment is primarily used. Not recommended for use with moderate to heavy weights.

8mm (5/16”) – Most popular thickness for home gyms and suitable for moderate weight impact (10-45 lbs). Not recommended for use with heavy weights. 

9mm (3/8”) – Provides greater floor protection from heavy weights (45-75 lbs). Commonly used in commercial gyms, fitness centers and CrossFit rooms. 

12mm (1/2”) – Maximum durability and protection from extra-heavy weights (75-100 lbs) and extreme fitness programs such as powerlifting, barbell complexes and CrossFit.

For a more complete review of RFS rubber thicknesses, check out our Rubber 101 article on Choosing Your Rubber Thickness. 

Rubber flooring is extremely durable and does not require a lot of maintenance once it is installed. Routine cleaning is as simple as using a vacuum and a damp mop.

Follow these general steps for keeping your rubber flooring in top shape: 

1. Vacuum the floor. Use an upright vacuum with the brush height
   raised so it doesn't scratch the rubber. Removes loose dirt, dust and debris.
2. Mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Mix pH-neutral floor cleaner with
   warm water and apply with a microfiber mop. Do not flood the floor — liquid
   seeping through seams can damage the subfloor.
3. Air dry completely. Open windows and doors or run a box fan. Do not walk on the floor until it is fully dry.

Additional cleaning tips to keep in mind for maintaining your rubber flooring: 

Avoid harsh cleaners: Never use acidic (vinegar or lemon juice), alkaline (ammonia or bleach), oil-based products (Pine-Sol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, WD40) or abrasive tools (steel wool or scouring pads) on rubber. These products can damage the rubber flooring over time. 

Spot clean tough stains immediately: Use a soft nylon scrub brush or microfiber cloth to clean the stain on the rubber surface. A mild dish soap and warm water mixture may be all that is required to work the stain free.  

Never saturate rubber flooring: Avoid using excessive cleaning solution on your floor. Liquid can seep through the seams and damage the subfloor. Wooden subfloors can swell and potentially rot. This can lead to harmful mold growth.

Keep your rubber flooring looking great: Build-up the wear layer on your rubber floor by sealing the surface with Betco Rescue TruMatte Floor Finish. This durable formula will help extend the life of your rubber floor and provide a natural, matte finish.

Check out our Rubber 101 article Is Rubber Flooring Easy to Clean for more cleaning tips.

How many rubber tiles do I need?
Multiply your room's length by its width to get square footage, then divide by 4 for 24" × 24" tiles or by 2.25 for 18" × 18" tiles and round up. A 12' × 20' large garage gym is 240 sq ft — that's 60 of the 24" tiles or 107 of the 18" tiles. Add 5–10% for perimeter cuts.

Should I buy 18" or 24" rubber tiles?
Choose 24" × 24" for full-room gym floors — they cost 7–19% less per square foot and install nearly twice as fast. Choose 18" × 18" for small rooms, equipment pads and anti-fatigue zones; they include edging for a finished perimeter and waste less rubber on cuts in irregular spaces.

What thickness rubber tile do I need for a home gym?
8mm (5/16") suits most home gyms and handles dropped weight up to about 45 lbs. Use 6mm for yoga, Pilates and light equipment, 9mm for commercial gyms and CrossFit rooms, and 12mm for powerlifting and dropped Olympic weights.

Do interlocking rubber tiles need glue?
No. RFS tiles lock together with precision-cut tabs and the weight of the rubber holds the floor in place. Add double-sided tape around the perimeter if you're moving heavy equipment across the floor, or use polyurethane adhesive for a permanent commercial install.

Will rubber gym tiles shift or separate?
Tiles can shift when heavy equipment is dragged across them, and separated seams create a trip hazard. Double-sided adhesive tape around the perimeter and under seam edges solves it in most home gyms. Rubber rolls are the better choice if the floor takes constant heavy equipment movement.

What colors do rubber gym tiles come in?
RFS interlocking tiles are available in Black, Gray, Blue, Blue/Gray, Eggshell/Cocoa and Terra Cotta. Colored tiles use rubber flecks blended into a black base, and can be mixed to mark out zones such as a lifting platform or cardio area.