The processes used to insert motifs and make custom-designed patterns are similar in principle to those used for borders and feature strips.

Most motifs these days are delivered to the site preassembled.

They may already be inset into a surround that can be re-trimmed to size.

Alternatively, they could be pre-cut to the precise finished shape.

Installing pre-assembled motifs

If the motif is inset in a surround that can be re-trimmed, you can use the following processes.

1. Put the motif on the floor in position and mark the outline with a pencil. Then cut a hole in the sheet material, following the pencil line.

2. Slide the motif surround under the sheet material into its final position, under the hole, and trace the edge of the hole onto the surround using a pin vice.
   
   
3. Remove the surround and cut it to its finished shape, holding the knife vertically.

4. Check the fit, then spread adhesive over the area.
   
   
5. Lay down the sheet material and motif and roll the area thoroughly.

If the motif is already cut to its finished size, you should put it in position on the sheet material and hold it down firmly while tracing the outline with a pin vice.

Then cut the sheet material to the exact shape.

Alternatively, you can stick the finished motif directly to the subfloor first.

Then place the sheet material over the top and rough cut a hole over the motif.

Scribe the exact shape of the motif onto the sheet material with over and under scribers, and then cut the exact shape required.

Site-cut patterns

Large scale designs are generally assembled piece by piece on-site.

In most cases this also means that a lot of the pieces need to be cut on-site, to make sure they'll fit tightly together.

Here are some hints on installing site-cut patterned floors:

• Before you start, work out where any seams will go and make sure the client agrees with their positioning. Note that this may affect the material wastage, so it's best done at the quotation stage of the job.
  
  
• Agree with the client on the orientation of patterns and the direction of individual features.
  
  
• Mark out the design on the floor, including the centre points of circles or curves, to ensure that the assembly goes exactly to plan.
  
  
• Use a recess scriber to scribe adjoining pieces.