How to Refinish Engineered Hardwood Floors

The Right Way

That’s an excellent question, and the short answer is yes, you can refinish engineered hardwood, but it depends heavily on the thickness of its top layer, called the wear layer.1Engineered hardwood is made up of a thin layer of real hardwood veneer over a core of plywood or high-density fiberboard.2 Unlike solid hardwood, which can be sanded multiple times, the number of times you can refinish engineered hardwood is limited by how thick that veneer is.3Here is a breakdown based on the wear layer thickness:Wear Layer ThicknessRefinishing PotentialEstimated Refinishes1 mm or lessCannot be safely sanded/refinished02 mmMay allow for one light sanding/refinish1 – 23 mmGood candidate for refinishing2 – 34 mm or moreCan be refinished multiple times (similar to solid wood)3 – 5+Key Considerations Before RefinishingDetermine Wear Layer Thickness: You need to find out how thick your floor’s wear layer is.4 You might be able to find this information from the original manufacturer’s specifications. If not, a professional can often check by removing a floor vent or piece of trim.5Deep Damage: If you have very deep scratches, dents, or water damage that goes through the wear layer, refinishing may not be possible, as sanding would expose the core layer underneath.6Professional Help: Because engineered hardwood has a limited amount of material for sanding, it is generally highly recommended to hire a professional flooring contractor.7 They have the specialized tools (like lighter-weight orbital sanders) and experience to carefully sand the floor without going through the thin veneer.8 DIY attempts carry a high risk of ruining the floor.9Alternative Options: If your wear layer is too thin for a full sand and refinish, a professional might suggest a “screen and recoat” or “buff and coat” process. This is a lighter treatment that removes only the existing finish and applies a new topcoat without sanding deep into the wood itself