Can You Sand an Engineered Floor?

Engineered flooring has been a popular flooring option for the past few years. Thanks to the multitude of advantages it offers, the choice is quickly made. Sand an engineered floor consists of real wood, high-density fiber, or simply plywood and a veneer glued to the base. As a result, engineered flooring is an aesthetic, foolproof solution and alternative to solid hardwood. What's more, it's perfectly adjustable for rooms in constant contact with humidity or heat. In other words, it is very effective and stable where solid hardwood flooring is not preferable. However, engineered flooring can become damaged over time. In this case, is it possible to sand an engineered floor? The answer in this article. 

Engineered hardwood flooring: what is it and why choose it?

By definition, engineered wood flooring covers a thinner appearance than solid wood flooring. Therefore, it is suitable for nailed, glued, or floating installation. This type of flooring is an effective alternative to solid wood flooring that requires either nailed or stapled installation on an existing wood subfloor. 

Engineered wood flooring is most often used in condominiums and basements when marketed at an unbeatable price. It is very efficient, and it also helps to optimize the sound insulation of floors when installed over an acoustic membrane. Another benefit of engineered wood flooring is that it is much more stable than hardwood flooring. In addition, engineered wood flooring is very responsive to changes in humidity and temperature. When it's humid, solid wood swells and causes the floors to warp in the summer. 

While in the winter, when it's dry, some gaps may appear on your floorboards. This is not so much the case with engineered wood flooring, which remains virtually intact and unaffected by changes in the weather. Not to mention that this model is the only wood floor under which it is possible to install a floor heating system. And last but not least, note that this type of flooring is very easy to maintain. 

Engineered wood floors Sanding  

With the wide range of high-quality finishes available on the market, most wood floor surfaces are never restored by individuals. That said, it is possible to sand and refinishes an engineered wood floor. Naturally, it all depends on the thickness of the floor, especially the veneer. The reason why it is essential to opt for a dense veneer when installing engineered wood flooring. 

The thickness of the engineered wood floor can determine whether or not sanding can be done. This material density also defines the number of times it can be sanded. Know that it can be refinished less often than solid wood flooring. Note that normal sanding allows you to remove 1 to 2 mm of floor thickness with each sanding. 

Another thing to know?

As you can see, sanding an engineered floor is possible, but under certain conditions. This type of project is practically impossible on a prefinished engineered floor. It is also advisable to permanently replace the floorboard for a more professional look. It is why it is a good idea to keep some wood planks in reserve after your floor is installed. As mentioned above, sanding this type of installation can only be done on thick material.

 As an indication, an engineered floor can be renovated as soon as its real wood strip is 4 mm or more. That said, there is nobody to stop you from repairing local damage to restore the original look of your timeworn floor.