Specifications

August 2018 xcore connect™ Page 6 of 10
of the first and last boards to ensure a balanced installation, avoiding the use of small pieces (< 1/3 the width of the plank
or tile) on each side.
Planning
Measure the width of the area and calculate the required width of the first and last boards to ensure a balanced
installation without the need for small pieces (< 1/3 the width of the plank or tile) on each side.
Cleaning Substrate
Clean the prepared substrate using only suitable dustless vacuum cleaners to remove all dirt and debris.
Installation Instructions
Acclimatization
Upon receipt of the flooring at the project, especially if it has been subjected to colder temperatures, it is recommended to
unpack and restack the cases neatly and no more than 5 cases high for 48 hours to properly acclimate. Areas must be
fully enclosed and weather tight.
Note: All of the flooring and the substrate must be acclimated until it is at least 65°F before commencing the installation;
check using a non-contact infrared digital thermometer.
If packaging is damaged, take photos and mark shipping documents as such before signing for the shipment. Contact
shipper and Mats Inc. and report the damage.
Tools
Personal protective equipment (PPE) – HEPA filtered vacuum – suitable guillotine style flooring cutter – Malco TSF2 EV
Turboshear or similar and suitable drill with suitable dust control (per OSHA) – tape measure – framers square – pencil –
chalk line – utility knife with blades – scribing tool – spacer wedges – pull bar – tapping block – hammer – hand saw (for
door frames) – suitable vacuum with Hepa filter – thermo-hygrometer– Infrared thermometer – camera phone.
Expansions Gaps & Joints
xcore connect™ is a floating flooring system, that must not be fixed to allow for expansion and contraction in both
directions.
 For areas ≤ 32 ft. (10 m) in both length and width, no expansion gap is required.
 For areas > 32 ft. (10 m) and ≤ 65 ft. (20 m) in either the length or width, an expansion gap around the entire
perimeter of the flooring of 3/16-in. (4 mm) is required. Areas must not be greater than 65 ft. in length or width; if
required use expansion joints to separate the area into sections.
Inspection
If the wrong product or product with obvious defects or other damage has been shipped, do not install it. Contact Mats
Inc. immediately. Use product from the same batch only in any area and randomly shuffle before installing.
Installation / First Row
Start in one of the left corners. Remove the male end and side tongues using a utility knife. Place the first board with the
male side and end against the walls (FIGURE 1). Insert the male end of the second board into the female end of the first
at an angle of about 15 to 20 degrees (FIGURE 2). Continue connecting each board until you reach the last one, then
measure, mark, and cut then install (FIGURE 3).
If required, scribe-in and cut the wall side to fit depending on the straightness of the wall and following the planned layout.
Make sure that the first row is straight and if required, supported by spacing wedges to avoid too much movement or
bounce. All areas > 32 ft. will need a spacer used on all three walls