Tutorials and FAQs
Installation and Use of Your Vehicle Mat Systems
Our floor mat systems and accessories are all easy to install with our included snap fasteners and a few basic tools. See below for instructions on how to install the mats for your specific rig, and some of our most common questions about our products.
Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
FAQ’s
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With proper care, your new mat will be ready to enhance all of your outdoor adventures. While incredibly durable, there are a few things that are required to prolong the life of your mat:
Do’s:
Always roll your mat to store it.
Depending on how heavily soiled the mat is, you can either shake or blow it off, clean it using a terry cloth rag, rinse it off using a garden hose, or you can use a small (1700psi or less) electric pressure washer equipped with a wide angle 45 degree (green-colored) tip while keeping the tip at least 12 inches away from the surface of the mat.
Only use water to clean your mat… the use of detergents is not necessary and may damage the mat.
Hanging the mat up will facilitate the fastest dry time. Just be sure to NOT drape your mat over anything that has a hard edge as that may cause a crease to form in the mat.
Be aware of the surface that you are placing your mat on. Rough or sharp objects such as gravel WILL damage the mat.
Storing your mat short-term while still damp (ie. when transporting it) is okay. However, unroll it ASAP to completely dry it before storing long-term.
Don’ts:
Never fold the mat or otherwise create creases in the mat such as, overtightening storage straps or placing objects on top of a rolled up mat. Doing so will cause damage to the mat in the form of permanent creases.
Never store your mat long-term if it isn’t COMPLETELY dry!
Never remove the corner hold-down stakes from the ground by lifting up on the mat itself. This will destroy the structural integrity of the mat around the grommet.
View PDF
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After rigorous testing, we have chosen to make our living and garage/cargo mats using different backings.
We have found that utilizing the foam backing for the living area is optimum as it offers greater comfort (especially while barefoot).
However, the foam-backing has a “memory” to it that results in small (temporary) indentations appearing when miscellaneous objects are placed on it for extended periods of time.
We have opted to utilize latex backing for the garage/cargo area as it is better able to withstand items being placed on it without leaving indentations. Regardless of the backing type, the surface material remains the same and performs beautifully.
When caring for your mats, the biggest difference between the latex-backed and foam-backed materials is the required dry time. If the mats become excessively dirty and require washing (either by hosing them off or lightly pressure washing them), the garage/cargo latex section will take longer to dry as this backing retains more moisture than the foam-backing.
We recommend hanging up both types of mats after cleaning to facilitate quicker dry times. The latex-backed flooring takes approximately 24 hours to dry, and the foam-backed flooring takes just a few hours (depending on drying conditions).
NEVER place mats back in your vehicle unless they are COMPLETELY dry!
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Despite being a mass-produced vehicle, no two van floor layouts are ever exactly the same. As such, we template several of the same vans to determine a pattern that works for all of them.
Depending on how your van compares to our average van layout, you may have a few gaps along the perimeter of your mats. In addition, if your factory flooring is lighter in color, these gaps will appear more pronounced. We have found that by adding black gaffer’s tape directly to the floor where the gaps appear, you can effectively make the gaps a lot less noticeable. Gaffer’s tape holds firm (if applied to a clean surface) and will not leave a sticky residue in the event that you need to remove it someday.
For more information or help with applying the tape correctly, please contact us at info@inhabitdesignworks.com or 503-329-2141
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One of the biggest advantages of our products is their cleanability.
Whether you’re cleaning up a small mess or a large one, our products can be easily returned to like-new condition with minimal effort. Most isolated messes can be cleaned up using a terry-towel rag and water.
For general cleanings, we recommend either brooming/sweeping up debris or removing sections of mat and shaking them off outside.
Another very effective cleaning method is to use an electric blower or air nozzle to blow debris off of the surface of the mats.
When larger-scale/deeper cleaning is needed, we recommend removing the mats from your vehicle and pressure washing the top surface only using an electric pressure washer that does not exceed 1700psi (avoid using any harsh detergents). Hang mats to dry and do not reinstall mats until they are thoroughly dried.
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Our #1 selling colors are Deep Grey and Fawn. Due to the higher sales volume of these two colors, we are able to acquire volume discounts that we, in turn, pass along to our customers.
Our other non-patterned colors have a slightly higher cost associated with them due to a lower purchase volume.
Our only patterned color is Grey Plaid. It has the highest cost associated with it due to the greater amount of material needed to ensure that the pattern lines up from section to section.
You can view all of our colors and patterns here.
Installation Tutorials
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Step-by-step instructions for installing our STO Wall Protector Mat.
The installation of our wall protector mat involves installing numerous snaps and takes about 1 hour to complete. Installation is a lot easier with two people, but it can be done with just one. The process of installing snaps is exactly the same as our process for installing snaps in the footwell areas of your van.
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We’ve put together step-by-step instructions on how to install your floor mats in the Sprinter chassis model of your Ekko, Grand Ridge, and Condor Adventure Vans.
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We’re put together step-by-step instructions on how to install your mats for the Ford Transit chassis model if your Ekko, Granite Ridge, or Condor Adventure Van.
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Follow these instructions to install your side steps and front mats correctly.
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Need to keep your L-track easily accessible? Follow these instructions to add cut outs.
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This tutorial illustrates how to modify your cargo mat to expose the bed leg receiving ports in the floor.
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Floor Mat System Installation Instructions
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Dinette table mount “donut” instructions.
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Ford Transit Front Mat Installation Process
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Spacer Install Instructions
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Stop drafts and items falling from your Ekko cubbies with our new Ekko Cubby Covers!
See the installation manual here.
R&D
Inhabit Design Works has spent over 3 years real-world testing the materials in our products to ensure that they meet our demanding standards. Our testing environments have included extensive abuse from sand, rain/water, mud/dirt, snow/ice, heavy foot traffic, and endless encounters with dogs and kids. Even after all of this abuse, our products continue to show no signs of degradation.
Warranty
Inhabit Design Works LLC warrants its products to be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and conditions, for a period of one (1) year from the original invoice date. Shipping and handling fees are to be paid for by the customer. Inhabit Design Works LLC agrees, at its option during the warranty period, to repair any defect in material or workmanship or to furnish a repaired or refurbished product of equal value in exchange without charge (except for shipping fees which will be incurred by the customer). Such repair or replacement is subject to verification of the defect or malfunction and proof of purchase as confirmed by original dated sales receipt.
Cancellation Policy
When an order is canceled, Inhabit Design Works is not able to recover fees charged for processing a transaction. Therefore, canceled orders are charged a 5% restocking fee. This fee is not refundable and is what we are charged when someone cancels an order.