If you love the look of your engineered hardwood floor but notice wear, fading, or scratches over time, you may wonder: can you refinish engineered hardwood? The short answer is yes, but with some important caveats.

Whether it’s a good idea depends on how the floor was made, how thick the top layer is, and how much damage there is. Let’s dig into what makes refinishing possible (or not), what to consider, and how to decide if refinishing is right for your floor.

What Is Engineered Hardwood?

Before jumping in, it helps to understand what engineered hardwood actually is:

Composition

It consists of several layers. The top layer (the veneer) is real hardwood. Beneath that are layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard for added stability.

Purpose

Engineered construction helps reduce issues with warping, shrinking, and expansion due to moisture or temperature changes. That makes it more stable than solid hardwood in environments with varying humidity.

Because engineered hardwood has a top layer of real wood, it can be refinished, but only under certain conditions.

Factors That Determine Whether Refinishing Is Possible

Here are the main criteria you’ll want to check and why it matters!

• Veneer / Top Layer Thickness. If the top layer of wood is too thin (often less than ~2–3 mm), sanding may wear through it quickly or even damage the floor irreparably.
• Number of Future Sandings. The thicker the veneer, the more times it can be sanded down over its lifetime. Thin veneers may only allow one sanding.
• Type of Finish / Wear Layer. Floors with factory-applied, tough finishes may require less sanding. If the finish is deep and the wear is superficial, you may only need a buff & coat rather than full sanding.
• Condition of the Floor. Deep gouges, water damage, or warping may be too severe to fully fix. Sometimes, only certain areas can be patched or “skinned.” It is worth noting that a decent cleaning can often make engineered floors look new.
• Manufacturer’s Instructions. Some engineered flooring brands specifically state that they should not be sanded or have limited refinishing options. Others build in a sufficient top layer so refinishing is an expected option. Always check the warranty and spec sheet.

Types of Refinishing Approaches

If your engineered floor checks the boxes above (reasonable veneer thickness, manageable damage, compatible with sanding), here are ways to refinish:

• Light Sanding & Recoat. Buff the surface to remove minor scratches and apply a new finish coat. This method is less invasive, produces less dust, and is more cost-effective.
• Sanding Down to the Veneer. A more aggressive approach is to sand the wood down enough to remove deep scratches, stains, or wear. Then apply stain/color and topcoat. This is only advisable if the veneer is thick enough.
• Spot Repair / Skinning. This method is for floors with localized damage. It involves removing or patching damaged areas, feathering edges, and finishing. It is less expensive than full refinishing, but requires skill to make the repaired patch blend well.

Pros & Cons of Refinishing Engineered Hardwood

Here are some advantages and trade-offs to think through:

Pros of refinishing engineered hardwood floors

• Makes your floor look fresh again and can significantly extend its life.
• Better value than replacement (if refinishing is feasible).
• Preserves original flooring, especially if the wood species or color is unique.
• Less impact on the environment / less waste compared to tearing out flooring.

Cons of refinishing engineered hardwood floors

• Refinishing engineered hardwood tends to be more expensive per square foot than recoating solid hardwood, due to the additional prep work and care required.
• If the veneer is thin, sanding too much can expose plywood or the core layer, ruining the appearance and integrity.
• With sanding comes dust, mess, and downtime.
• Not all floors are eligible. Some engineered boards aren’t refinishing-friendly, per manufacturer restrictions.

What It Costs & What to Expect

Here are things that will affect cost and timeline:

• Size of area (square footage)
• Amount of damage / how unevenly worn the floor is
• Veneer thickness
• Necessity of color/staining to match existing finish
• Whether furniture needs to be moved or removed
• Whether refinishing will require special equipment (such as dust containment)

As a rough guide, light sanding & recoating will cost significantly less and take less time than full sanding. If you need stain match, deeper sanding, or more coats of finish, those add up.

Deciding: Should You Refinish or Replace?

Here are questions to ask yourself to help decide:

• Is the veneer thick enough to withstand at least one sanding without exposing the core?
• How bad is the damage? Are there just surface scratches and wear, or is there also deep gouging or water damage?
• Will refinishing maintain the look you want, or will you have to compromise (lighter color, less sheen, etc.)?
• What are the long-term costs vs. replacement? If you’re close to the end of the product’s lifespan, replacement might make more sense.
• What does the warranty say? If you refinish in a way that voids the warranty, you could lose protection.

Steps to Refinish Engineered Hardwood (If It’s Feasible)

If you decide to go ahead, here’s a typical process:

• Clear and prep the room (remove furniture, cover vents, protect surroundings).
• Inspect and repair damaged sections (nails, loose boards, water damage).
• Sand or buff, depending on severity (light sanding for minor issues, more aggressive sanding for deeper damage).
• Clean thoroughly to remove dust and debris.
• Apply stain (if desired) and finish coats (such as polyurethane or oil) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Allow sufficient drying/cure time before walking on it or returning furniture.

Should You Refinish Your Engineered Hardwood Floors? Maybe.

Yes, you can refinish engineered hardwood floors, but whether you should depends on the veneer thickness, condition of the floor, and what kind of look you’re after. If your floor has sufficient wood at the surface and the damage is manageable, a refinishing project can provide you with many more years of beautiful flooring without the cost and waste associated with full replacement. However, if the veneer is thin, the damage is severe, or the manufacturer advises against it, replacement may be the safer and more economical choice.

If you’re unsure, it’s worth getting a professional assessment! Bring a sample to our team at City Floor Supply so we can inspect the veneer thickness and condition, possibly show samples of what can be achieved, and give you a reliable quote. That’ll help make the best decision for your floor, your budget, and how you want it to look moving forward. Get in touch with us today if you’re thinking about refinishing an engineered hardwood floor.