can engineered wood flooring be refinished

Engineered wood flooring can be refinished—but there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Engineered wood is made with a top layer of real hardwood veneer, bonded to layers of plywood underneath. Whether or not it can be refinished depends entirely on the thickness of that top hardwood layer. Thicker veneers (usually around 3mm or more) can be sanded and refinished once or even twice during their lifetime. Thinner veneers, however, may not withstand the sanding process without risk of damage.

Refinishing can be a fantastic way to breathe new life into your flooring—refreshing the look, removing scratches, and changing the colour if desired. Just be sure to check the specs of your particular flooring before planning any refinishing work.

And don’t forget: not all signs of wear require a full sand and refinish. Sometimes, a good clean and a recoat with fresh finish is all it takes to bring back the shine.