Here is the split/crack... The jagged part that hasn't peeled up yet is definitely lifted so that it would snag easily, maybe give splinters...

Another angle of the floors... I really like it, other than this split issue....

It's referred to wind shake which is considered a manufacturing issue. It surprises me to see this with an engineered hardwood. It should be an easy fix by replacing the boards.

Thanks, gamountains... I have plenty of boards left, so that's not the issue, but would I have to rip up all the boards and base molding to replace the board? That's a lot of work that I'd have to bring the contractors back in for, and I'm worried about destroying the stuff already in place...

I got a call back from Mirage, and they basically told me the same thing, to replace the board. They said it wasn't a warranty issue unless a lot of the boards start failing, in which case they would investigate... if boards start failing here and there, it's not their problem. They also recommended glue down for the replacement board instead if nailing.

I am considering a Mirage engineered product. I love the knotted walnut but something harder if possible, so almost definitely going with maple. Have you continued to have issues or was this it?

@janejanel ~ Do you still love your floors, and Do you have more pics that show how varied the floor color is? I suppose your natural walnut is lighter than the stained versions. We love the warm medium brown color of Mirage Knotty Walnut Savanna but are wondering how much light/dark variation there will be with the Savanna version. We like grain variation but don't want too wild of a light/dark contrast. Can anyone please post more pics of Mirage Walnut floors, or the Knotty Walnut Savanna in particular? We need to decide yesterday, so any info would be much appreciated!

Hi carynia, I do still love my floors, but in this half a year, I have managed to scratch it some more >_< It's not super visible unless you're looking for it or the light hits it right. The matte finish is excellent for helping with that, as well as still feeling nice on your feet.

Shulishuli, other than the above mentioned scratches, I have not had any other boards split/windshake so far.

I also think it's lightened a bit near the windows, to a slightly tawnier shade. Still looks nice to me, but not sure how that will play out on the stained walnuts.

I will try to take pictures.

Thanks janejanel, I was mostly worried the light/dark variation might be way too wild. I don't mind some differences but don't want a floor screaming 'look at me!" Would you say your floors are the former or the latter? In your pics it doesn't seem too wild...when installing did they remove/hide LOTS of light or knotty pieces or just a small amount? Just two of us here so I wasn't too worried about scratches/dents and we even had those with site finished oak but maybe not in such a short period of time. Friends of ours with Mirage Oak had a big rug on their living room floor for 14 years and the floor color has still never changed under the rug, very impressive and sold me on Mirage. I'm surprised you've had color change from the light so soon, did this area get lots of southern exposure sun, and would you say the fading is drastic? How about under rugs, any color change? I assumed their newer finishes would be better than 14 years ago so maybe it's the natural Walnut? Oh please any more info would be so welcome, we're wanting these floors and need to decide in the next day or two but have some reservation, especially as the cost is quite a bit over our original budget! Thanks and any more info and pics of how varied it is, any faded areas, or even the gorgeous parts would be so helpful! Last question...If given the choice would you do it again?

Well with deadlines arriving we've gone ahead and ordered the Mirage Knotty Walnut Savanna floor, hoping it will be gorgeous for a long long time! Trusting Mirage at this point, seems there are so many pros and cons to all product choices that one must take a leap of faith at one point and move forward if anything is to get done. Flooring should be in by end of June, I'll report back then! Thanks for everyone's tips and comments!

About to order Mirage Knotty Walnut for our new home. Are you all still satisfied with the product?

We've been in our new home since Thanksgiving and we love our Mirage Knotty Walnut hardwood flooring. The medium dark Savanna color has just enough variation in color and rustic imperfections to still look elegant yet camouflage any minor nicks that might happen or make a small bit of dust barely noticeable, however dust will show up more on this floor than a lighter one. We have noticed if a few drops of water land on the kitchen floor we need to wipe until dry if we want the mark to vanish and disappear completely and without streaking, possibly needed due to the cashmere low sheen matte finish. It's not been a problem for us and the factory finish seems durable and seems to protect the wood well. No problems with anything else, no splitting or splintering, and so far no apparent fading in our large Great Room which faces East and receives several hours of direct morning light. Mirage is supposed to have some UV protection and our windows are Low E so hopefully we'll not have any issues with fading in the living areas without window coverings! All in all, we're happy with our flooring. I think Mirage currently has a promo going on like a '50 cents off per sq ft', so be sure to ask your local dealer about that. Hope that helps! Here's a pic for you:

Thanks so much for the response. LOVE the photo.

chickeeta - If you get the Mirage Walnut please let us know how you like it! And we're you looking at Natural or with the Savanna stain?

Mirage is supposed to have some UV protection and our windows are Low E so hopefully we'll not have any issues with fading in the living areas without window coverings!

Note that walnut and cherry both change color over time. UV coating or not. Only if it's covered with a rug will it not change color. It's the nature of the beast.

Yes you're probably right. However we do have friends with pre-finished Mirage Oak installed in a room that has a set of uncovered south facing French doors with a transom. A large rug covers the main part of the room. If you lift the rug to inspect the floor beneath there is no noticeable difference in color between the exposed floor and the floor under the rug, and this hardwood is fourteen years old! This leads us to hope that both the low E glass and the hardwood's UV protection is helping to reduce the ill effects the sun would normally cause. If we do experience fading, we're hoping the color change will be minimal due to having some protection in place. We'll try to report back if we notice color changes over time. Can anyone else chime in on their experience with UV resistant pre-finished hardwood and fading? And if it happens to be Mirage brand in Walnut please specify, thanks everyone!