Can engineered hardwood floors be refinished if the protective layer is peeling after 7 years, or should they be replaced entirely?
Asked by Matheus Hammer 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 22, 2024
Hey, so my grandma got these engineered hardwood floors like 7 years ago and they’re a mess. The top coat is peeling off in a bunch of spots. The guy who put them in said we couldn’t refinish them, but I’ve been watching videos online that say otherwise. Any thoughts before we resort to pulling them up and starting fresh?
Sand and refinish the floors!
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, as they typically specify if you can only do it once. However, those tend to be the pricier options.
It’s been so long that we can’t even remember the brand or anything… my grandma just hired a guy to install it years ago.
Not all floors can be refinished, but some can. If the installer advises against it, then it’s best not to do it.
Were any parts left over that might have been stored somewhere? It would be ideal to conduct a sanding test. Some can have a small amount removed from the top and refinished, but excessive sanding can easily ruin it.
Sorry, we ended up tossing them in the garage cleanout a few years back.
It happens to all of us, Caitlyn! Haha. So, it’s really a question of whether you’re willing to take a risk or not. You could attempt a very light sanding, but I personally wouldn’t do it unless you’re financially able to replace them if things go wrong.
The floors are already in pretty bad shape. I thought we could give it a shot before deciding to replace them.
I totally understand. Maybe we should start in a low traffic area just in case it doesn’t go well. You can always cover it with a rug until you replace it, right? 🙈😅
Could you remove the vent to check its thickness?
Hey, quick heads up – don’t have floor vents.
If the installer said no, then it means no. Most engineered floors like pergo, Mannington, and Armstrong are not able to be refinished. They essentially have a wood veneer laminated to a plywood base and finished with several layers of varnish for a glossy look.
I used to work for a builder who installed this type of flooring in their new homes. One homeowner who didn’t like the Matte finish on his floor had a handyman apply high gloss polyurethane, turning it into a slippery surface after his wife slipped and fell.
He then hired another person to sand the floors back to the original finish, but this individual didn’t realize they were engineered floors and mistook them for 3/4″ inch oak flooring.
I happened to drive by and saw him unloading a floor sander. When I asked him what he was doing and he explained, I informed him that it was engineered flooring with only a 1/8″ veneer before reaching the plywood. Clearly, the other guy failed to mention this. The next thing I witnessed was him packing up his gear and driving off without touching the floors!
I see you mentioned no floor vents. Can you provide a side view of the floor? That’s the only way to confirm if sanding & refinishing is possible.
Hey, I’m thinking of pulling up a floor transition to snap a picture of the thickness. What do you think?
You only have one shot at refinishing engineered hardwood floors, and it’s best left to the professionals. Sanding too much can cause irreversible damage.
No way, rip it out and start fresh.
I feel your pain. We had 2 experts come over to share their thoughts and they also said ours cannot be saved. They both suggested doing a replacement, but it would cost us about $3k for our 500sqft area and there would be no guarantees. That’s why we’re opting for lvp instead 🙁
My daughter had her floors sanded and refinished. They turned out really well!
It varies based on the thickness of the veneer and the evenness of the floor
Quality engineered cans are durable; mine have been in use for 15 years and still look new, plus they can be refinished twice. Grandma fell for a scam, but as with everything, you get what you pay for. Originally, they were even better than real hardwood in terms of structure, but became thinner and thinner over time for a lower price
Just because something isn’t “real” doesn’t mean it’s not valid.
Hey, you know, some contractors…they could probably convince grandma to buy a bicycle by saying it’s a Mercedes. Even Nigerian princes are in on it.
You get what you pay for, as says.
Maybe test it out in a small space like a closet first
Just leave it as is. Remove and put in a new one.
I applied Minwax One Step on top of prefinished hardwood. It saved me from having to do a lot of heavy sanding since it can be used right over the existing finish.
It really depends on the type of flooring you have. Some older styles can only handle being refinished once. It’s always helpful to have a scrap piece to test the thickness. You could also try refinishing a small area of a closet first.
The IRS allows a 5-year depreciation period for flooring in rental properties. I would consider swapping it out.
Can you check if there’s a hidden spot in a closet or pantry to test sand? Perhaps there’s a sturdy shelf that won’t budge? I’ve fixed century-old floors by locating spare flooring in a closet and using it for repairs or stain testing.
Engineered flooring has a genuine wood top layer with a plywood base, usually installed with glue or staples. Some brands can be refinished at least once. It’s important to note that laminate floating flooring is not the same as engineered flooring, even though they are frequently mixed up.
Typically, if they are made of engineered wood, the answer is usually no.
The top layer of engineered flooring is often less than 1/8 inch thick. If you sand that away, you’ll expose the plywood underneath, leading to the need for a floor replacement.
Engineered hardwood floors can typically handle a few rounds of refinishing before needing replacement. Just remember, the top layer thickness is key… I’d recommend doing some research first. Check out this chart. Best of luck with your project 👍🏿
Most engineered hardwood floors can be refinished a couple times before needing to be replaced. The number of times depends on the thickness of the top layer, so it’s best to do some research first. Check out this chart and good luck with your project! 👍🏿