Prevent Dents Before They Happen

I had Mirage hardwood flooring installed a few months ago and I noticed that it dents when my 3-year-old drops a heavy toy on it. Why is my floor denting? Sarah, Portland OR

Hardwood flooring is meant to last a lifetime, but some care is required in order to keep it looking its best. A dent is caused by the wood fiber being compressed. The hardness of the wood will determine the pressure required to cause an indentation. Some floors will dent more easily than others since the hardness of the wood varies according to the species. For example, maple is 12% harder than oak. See our tricks and tips on how to prevent them.