know what could be causing the random chipping of the top layer on our engineered wood flooring with no apparent cause?
Asked by Lakshmi Kini 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
We were told we have engineered wood flooring, but I’m noticing some random chipping of the top layer in various spots around the house. There hasn’t been any extra foot traffic or dog activity in those areas, no water spills or accidents either. It seems to be getting a bit worse over time. Any thoughts on what could be causing this?
I have no idea what caused the scratches on that flooring, except that I’m a DIY enthusiast with rental properties. I’ve learned the hard way that not all “manufactured wood” flooring is created equal. I installed high-quality wood planks in one house and Laminated Vinyl Planks (LVP) in another. They look identical, but they are completely different products.
The “wood” flooring probably won’t last through two tenants, while the LVP could withstand 15 dogs, 5 cats, 5 toddlers, and hopefully over 10 years. The scratches could be from anything – a pet, child, furniture, or even changes in temperature, who knows? To fix it, you can try a stain touch-up or replace the plank if you have a matching piece. If not, a medium-color touch-up marker might do the trick.
On a lighter note, if you don’t have pets or kids, you might need a private detective to solve the mystery of those
Let’s be real, if the mistress is that attractive and steamy in high heels, she’d have to watch out for marks on the ceiling from her heels. Not the floor… just saying. I’m guessing this is just a finishing issue. 😉😁
I can’t say for sure if this is the issue, but in my experience, those types of marks in engineered wood flooring are often caused by dogs’ nails. Some wood adhesives contain urea, which can smell like urine to pets and lead them to scratch at those areas. Cats can have a similar reaction.
Inexpensive engineered wood flooring consists of a thin layer of wood over a filler material. This top layer can easily wear down or chip off. Defects in manufacturing can speed up this process even with minimal use.
Looks like it’s simply wear and tear from age, the original finish was probably not very durable. Similar to how paint can chip over time. Engineered woods come in a variety of quality levels. A light sanding followed by some matching stain from Home Depot should do the trick.