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What To Know Before Refinishing Engineered Hardwood Floors

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When you hear the words “engineered hardwood floors,” what comes to mind? Maybe you think of a luxurious, high-end flooring option that’s perfect for your home. And you’d be right – engineered hardwood floors are beautiful, durable for diverse climates, and can ultimately add great value to your property. 

If your engineered hardwood floors are looking dull or scratched, you may want to consider refinishing them. While this might seem like a daunting task, it’s one that you can consider doing yourself with the right tools and supplies. We’ve got your back! In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of refinishing engineered hardwood floors and what you need to know before proceeding.

Reclaimed Engineered barnwood skip planed

Refinishing Engineered Hardwood Floors: When Is It Necessary?

There are only two cases that require you to have your engineered wood floor refinished. First, refinishing is the best choice for restoring a new look if the floor exhibits significant wear through the sealer and into the wood. The second case is when you want to modify the color of the stain. On most floors, removing 1mm to 1.5mm of the wear layer should be enough.

How Many Times Can You Refinish Engineered Hardwood?

Among all the most important questions that potential buyers often have is how many times engineered hardwood floors can be refinished. The answer actually varies depending on many factors. In general, most engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 1-3 times at most before they need to be replaced.
refinishing engineered hardwood floors

How To Tell If You Can Refinish Engineered Hardwood?

It’s important to make sure that your floors are actually suitable for refinishing before you get started. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to refinish your engineered hardwood floors:
  • The thickness of the veneer layer:
The top layer of an engineered hardwood floor is made of thin wood veneer. If this layer is too thin, it will be difficult (or even impossible) to sand down and refinish your flooring. If they had 1/8″ of veneer when new, they can usually be refinished twice, and 3/16″ options can be done three or four times before replacing becomes the better option.
  • The number of times the floor has been refinished:
Every time a floor is sanded down and refinished, a bit of the wood is removed. So, if your floors have been refinished multiple times, there may not be enough wood left to sand down again.
  • The overall condition of the floor:
If your engineered hardwood floors are severely damaged or worn, refinishing them may not be a good option. In this case, you would need to replace the floors entirely. If you’re not sure whether or not your engineered hardwood floors can be refinished, it’s always best to consult with a professional. A flooring contractor will be able to assess your floors and let you know if refinishing is the right choice.
herringbone wood flooring

How To Select an Engineered Hardwood Flooring That Can Be Easily Refinished?

When looking for engineered hardwood flooring, it’s important to keep a few considerations in mind to ensure it can be refinished without any hassle. Rather than going with an aggressive deep scrape, start with a gentle wire brushing and/or a light hand scraped option. Second, you need a veneer thickness of at least 3 millimeters. If you want to refinish your flooring in the future, investing in veneers with a higher thickness will yield the best return. Third, go with a resilient finish such as polyurethane coating to give yourself more potential color options. You can’t go wrong with oil finishes either, but they may limit your design flexibility in the future. Last but not least, choose a harder, more resilient wood species for longer-lasting results. By following these guidelines, you can make sure that your engineered hardwood flooring is straightforward to refinish in the future.

polyurethane wood finish

Engineered hardwood floors are a beautiful and affordable option for flooring in your home. By following these simple steps, you can breathe new life into your old floors and give them a fresh look that will last for years to come. Have any questions about refinishing engineered hardwood floors? Leave us a comment below and we’ll be happy to help. Good luck!

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