From reading this board, I gather that Mirage is a pretty decent brand for 3/4" solid. I've been to the dealer in my area and it seems good, but flooring quality is not something the average Joe can evaluate.

How good is Mirage in comparison to the other brands out there?

(I'm considering the Mirage solid 3 1/4" maple, "Sierra" stain. Going on 5/8" OSB in a new home)

Thanks

my experiences, finish and duribility is very good, I had one or two jobs where the milling was off by a 16th or so, making it look like large gaps between the boards, but only on two jobs, Think it was a bad run at the mill IMO. my only compaint is on the 3 1/4 is there is a ton of short boards, 2 1/4 doesnt seem to have the same issues


**edit** The above statements are about MODEL, sorry Always mix the 2 names up. Mirage is an exceptional prefinished product

Mirage is as good as it gets. Top shelf.

Thanks for the replies.

As mentioned, I have 5/8" OSB in my new home currently being constructed. I only looked into the subfloor details after the cut-off for structural upgrades had passed.

My local Mirage dealer told me that stapling Mirage 3/4" solid into 5/8" OSB is fine. Do you all agree or should I look into it further?

Thx

I'd bet you 5/8" is really 3/4" OSB. I've never heard of 5/8" OSB subflooring. Double check that measurement.

Hi Gary,
I got that info from the subfloor directly on a visit to the site! I took this photo looking up from the floor below.
The fact that you've never heard of it is not comforting...

Yikes!!!!

5/8 on 20" centered trusses/joist

I wouldn't do it!!!

They are telling you it is OK, to make the sale. Typical, tell them what the want to hear and watch them buy attitude.

I would call your wood flooring manufacturer and ask them if it approved, and to fax or e-mail you the subfloor requirements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That way you have documentation of what is approved and what is not. Verbal confirmation over the phone, is not the same as written documentation.

5/8" on 20" centers may be ok for a mobile home and carpet, but not for hardwood or any other hard surface flooring.
OSB sub-floor is not OSB-Underlayment...
Like Floorguy suggests;; I would check the specifications and requirements of Mirage.
Putting 1/4" underlayment on top of the OSB may be of help.

Well, my bad. Looks like there is 5/8" OSB subflooring. But like floorguy says, 20" OC for 5/8"? That's not gonna cut it. You will definitely need to overlay 1/2" plywood before any hard surface flooring can be installed.

I called my builder today and they told me the joists are in fact 16" center to center. I guess the subfloor is just rated up to 20"...

I called Mirage, from whom I will be buying 3/4" solid maple and they suggested overlaying 3/8" plywood. This will bring the subfloor to a total of 1" think. Does this sound reasonable?

At Home Depot I have 3 options for 4x8 sheets of 3/8" plywood, which I know nothing about:
1) Spruce @ $13.25 each
2) "Fir - one good side" @ ~$24 each
3) "Plywood standard" @ ~$40 each

The guy there told me to use the cheapest (but also didn't understand why I was going to bother with the plywood at all). What do you recommend?

Thx for the help.

I don't know about Canada but here in the USA, one can buy a grade of plywood called CDX and that is the grade I'd use. It often can be bought for around $10 a sheet for 3/8". It doesn't need to look good; you're covering it up.