Can you refinish engineered wood flooring? An expert provides the solution

In the world of flooring, engineered wood floors have become a popular choice for homeowners due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. But not all engineered floors are created equal, and understanding the materials used in your flooring is crucial to ensure it meets your needs.

Engineered wood floors are constructed with a solid wood core, such as HDF, covered by a solid wood veneer. The thickness of these floors ranges from about 7 mm to 15 mm, with the top veneer layer usually between 2 mm and 6 mm thick.

Sanding an engineered wood floor is a common practice to restore its original beauty. Sanding will take about 0.5mm - 1.5mm of material from the wear layer. However, a wear layer of 2mm or less may limit the ability to sand and refinish the floor multiple times. Choosing engineered wood flooring with a thicker wear layer (3.5mm or more) can allow for sanding and refinishing multiple times without issues.

When restoring or sanding an engineered wood floor, a series of grit papers should be used, starting with a coarse grit and working up to a finish sand grit, most commonly between 80 - 120 grit. A floor buffer or orbital sander with a fine grit sandpaper screen (e.g. 120 grit) can be used to remove any minor indentations or raised fibers to get the floor surface smooth and ready for refinishing.

For high-traffic areas, 20mm planks of engineered wood flooring are ideal as they can be sanded and refinished multiple times. When sanding an engineered wood floor, use an edge sander along the edges of the room and a hand-held detail sander or scraper for corners and areas that can't be reached with the edge sander.

Industrial floor sanders can be hired for around £50 a day. Using a corded detail sander with an iron shaped pad is ideal for reaching hard-to-reach areas and corners when sanding engineered wood flooring.

Proper care and maintenance can help avoid the need for sanding an engineered wood floor. Thicker engineered wood flooring boards offer a more substantial solid wood top layer and additional ply layers in the base, enhancing their durability and strength. High-quality hardwoods in the top layer and a base made of high-grade birch plywood are recommended for durability and strength.

For information on choosing the best wood flooring for kitchens, refer to the "how to choose the best wood flooring for kitchens" guide. It's essential to remember that while engineered wood flooring offers a cost-effective solution, thinner boards (12mm-15mm) may not offer the same longevity or load bearing strength as their thicker counterparts.

Chaunceys Timber Flooring, a family-run company based in Bristol, has been supplying sustainable, high-quality timber flooring since 1988. They offer a variety of engineered wood flooring options to suit different needs and preferences.

In conclusion, understanding the materials used in your engineered wood flooring, the thickness of the wear layer, and the maintenance required can help you make an informed decision and ensure your floor meets your durability and aesthetic needs. Proper care and maintenance can help your engineered wood floor last for years to come.