Support

This section contains the answers to the questions most frequently asked by our customers. If you do not find a solution here, submit a problem to our team to get the answers you need, fast.

Never Clean Your Mirage Floor with Cleaners That Contain Waxes

• I used to clean my floors with cleaners that contain waxes but now that I have a Mirage floor, I want to make sure I clean it with the right product. What should I use? Karen, Bellevue WA
• For best results you should vacuum or sweep your floor regularly to remove the dust and grit, and then use the Mirage Clean maintenance kit. Never use cleaners that contain waxes as they may cause a wax build up on your floor. You can find Mirage Clean products at your Mirage Dealer.

Scratches and Dents Repair

• I have found few scratches and dents on the hardwood floor in my kitchen. What can I use to make minor repairs to my Mirage wood floor?
• Touchup kits are available at your local Mirage dealer. If they are out of stock, your dealer can order them for you. The kits include a marker, wax crayon, and a small bottle of finish. Board replacement should be considered for larger repairs. Use our Mirage dealer locator to find your local dealer.

Buckling Engineered Floor

• I wasn’t expecting my hardwood floor strips to swell. What is causing my Engineered floor to buckle?
• Excessive moisture will cause a wood floor to swell. Although an Engineered floor is stable in a higher humidity range than a solid wood floor, the relative humidity must be controlled. Before installing a wood floor, you must check the relative moisture of the subfloor and the air to ensure that they are within the recommended levels. These moisture levels must be maintained all year round. Please see the Mirage Engineered Installation Guide for more details.

Sound Insulation in a Condo

• Sound insulation is important in my condo. What can I expect from my Mirage Lock floor in terms of sound transmission?
• Mirage is very proud of its excellent acoustical test results. Our floor boasts an FIIC (Field Impact Insulation Class) of 63 dB and an FSTC (Field Sound Transmission Class) of 56 dB. The tests are according to the ASTM and ISO specifications for Impact and airborne sound transmission. These results were achieved when testing Mirage Lock with Ulti-Mat membrane over a single 8" concrete slab. These test results surpass most installation requirements for condominiums and high-rise projects.

Hardwood Over Vinyl

• Can we install a hardwood floor over an existing vinyl floor?
• Installing hardwood over vinyl is not a trouble-free option. It really depends on how well the vinyl adheres to the subfloor and whether it is cushiony or not. If the vinyl does not properly adhere to the subfloor, it could cause the wood floor to separate from the subfloor. If the vinyl is cushiony, it could cause the hardwood floor to squeak. For best results, a wood floor should be installed over a clean, flat, sturdy subfloor that meets the manufacturer's recommendation. See our installation guides for more details.

Hardwood on Concrete

• What kind of wood floors can be installed on a concrete slab?
• With the development of new wood flooring technology, you can install an Engineered or Mirage Lock floor on concrete. The use of proper installation methods will ensure the beauty of the wood floor for many years to come.
  
  The recommended adhesives combined with compatible moisture vapour protection will ensure trouble-free installation of the Mirage Engineered floor.
  
  Wood floors have never been easier to install now that the Mirage Lock floor has arrived. Once the recommended underlayment is rolled out over the concrete, you simply lock the boards together without the need for nails or adhesive.
  
  Installing Mirage Classic solid 3/4" thick wood floors over concrete is not recommended.

Recommended Rugs

• What kind of rug can I use on my hardwood floor?
• Use only colorfast throw rugs or area carpets, meaning that the dyes will not bleed. Make sure that the rug or carpet does not have a rough or natural rubber backing. Soft, synthetic backings are safe to use provided that they have holes that allow the floor to breath. Make sure to clean regularly underneath the rug or carpet to ensure the absence of dirt and other abrasives. To maintain the uniform appearance of the wood, move the throw rug or area carpet occasionally.

Glue-down Installation: Trowel Size

• I’m getting ready to install my Engineered wood in the basement. It’ll be glued down over concrete. What size trowel should I use for the glue? Mike, Plattsburg NY
• You should always follow the glue manufacturer's recommendation. The recommended glues for Mirage flooring require a #9 v-notch 3/16" x 5/32" trowel.

See Samples of Mirage Flooring

• I really like your products and I’d like to see some samples. Where can I see samples and purchase a Mirage Floor? Rita, Austin TX
• You can find your local retailer with the "Find a Store" tool at the top of this page or you can contact us by phone. We recommend that you visit a Mirage dealer to view the products since colors may not be exactly as shown in brochures or on the web.

Prevent Moisture Damage

• I’m a little concerned about my hardwood being damaged by humidity. What can I do to protect my floor from moisture coming up from the subfloor? Sylvia, Camden NJ
• Before installing a Mirage floor, the subfloor should always be tested to ensure that it is at the correct moisture level. All potential sources of moisture should be eliminated in order to avoid future moisture problems. The use of moisture vapor barriers such as the MVP liquid membrane can be used when moisture is in question. However, relative humidity should still be monitored.

Slow-Down Humidity with Black Felt

• I was reading your installation guide and I’m wondering what the black felt paper is used for? Eric, Flint MI
• The felt paper is used to reduce and delay transmission of humidity from the subfloor to the wood.

How Much Costs a Mirage Floor

• I’m really interested in getting one of your floors for my home, but I’m trying to budget everything and I’m wondering how much a Mirage floor costs? Nicole, Edmonton AB
• Please contact your local Mirage retailer for prices. You can find a dealer near you with the "Find a store" tool at the top of this page.

Acclimate Before Installation

• Do I need to acclimate my floor before I install it? Paul, Newport News VA
• The Classic Mirage floor should be kept indoors at the recommended temperature and humidity level for a minimum of 24 hours prior to installation. Engineered flooring does not need to be acclimated.

Refinishing a Mirage Floor

• I know that your finish is long lasting and wear-resistant and everything, but I know at some point I’ll have to refinish that floor. How often can I re-sand my floor? Ed, Indianapolis IN
• Both Mirage Classic and Engineered floors can be sanded from 3 to 5 times. Mirage Lock cannot be sanded.

Where to Find a Mirage Touch-Up Kit

• Where can I get a touch up kit or stains? Dennis, Vancouver BC
• Your local Mirage retailer can provide you with touch up kits as well as stain to match Mirage products.

Glue-down Installation: Clean the Glue as you Install

• The installer just left and although he wiped the excess glue off the floor, there are still a few strips with glue on them. How do I get the glue off the floor? Frank, Sarasota FL
• It is crucial to clean the glue as you install the floor in order to avoid a big clean up job. Use the cleaner the glue manufacturer recommends or use mineral spirits, acetone or lighter fluid with a clean white rag. You should always use these products sparingly, with care and test them in a hidden area to make sure they don't damage your floor. Make sure the room is well ventilated.

Moldings and Accessories Matching

• I’m redecorating my living room and have already chosen Mirage Maple Sierra flooring. Is it possible to get matching moldings? Liz, Fremont CA
• Yes. We make many moldings and accessories. You can view them in the “Our floors” section. They are available from your Mirage dealer.

Prevent Wood Cupping: Maintain relative humidity at 45%

• I had a Mirage floor installed and I love it. But I noticed recently that if I look at it at a certain angle, it looks ribbed. The wood strips are cupped. It wasn’t like that a few weeks ago. Why is my floor cupping? Ed, Boca Raton FL
• It is likely that cupping (the long edges of the strip curling up) will occur if the humidity level of the subfloor or the relative humidity in your home is either too low or too high depending on the type of flooring that is installed. It is best to maintain relative humidity at 45% at all times in your home. Engineered flooring (our floors/types de construction/engineered) is more tolerant of moisture variations and will remain stable between 40% and 60% relative humidity. Mirage Classic (our floors/types de construction/classic) (3/4” solid) will remain stable between 40% and 50%.

Radiant Heat Under a Mirage Floor

• A friend of ours has installed a radiant heat system in her bathroom and I love the feel of the warm floor. I’m redecorating my living room and I’d like to install such a system. Can I install Engineered flooring over radiant heat? Bridget, San Diego CA
• Absolutely. Our Engineered products can be installed over radiant heat, except Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba). It should not be installed over radiant heat because of its physical properties. See your Mirage installation guide for more details.

Pre-finished over site-finished

• I used to have site-finished hardwood floors in my home but I hear that there are better finishes available. What makes the Mirage finish more wear-resistant that a site-finished floor? Mike, Ann Arbor MI
• The Mirage Nanolinx finish is clearer, more wear-resistant and flexible due to the use of infinitely small, cross-linked nano particles. Nanolinx is 5 times more wear-resistant than most finishes on the market. See the Nanolinx micro-site (www.miragenanolinx.com) for more information.

View the Mirage Collections

• I’m redoing my living room and thinking of new hardwood floors. What color and finishes are available from Mirage? Sylvia, Boston MA
• You can browse our products in the “Our Floors” section of this website. Also, our current ''Mirage Collections'' brochure is available in the “Guides and brochures” page or at a Mirage retailer near you.

Recommended Subfloors

• I’m building my new house and I want to put down Mirage hardwood almost everywhere except the bathrooms. Can you tell me what the recommended subfloors are? Victor, Richmond VA
• Mirage Classic and Engineered floors can be nailed or stapled over 5/8'' (16mm) thick plywood or ¾'' (19mm) OSB board, if installed over 16'' (400mm) center-to-center joist sub-structure. In addition, Engineered flooring can be glued down over concrete. See your Mirage installation guide for more details.

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.