Refinishing urethane engineered wood floors?

5 years ago

I am considering engineered wood floors finished with urethane with aluminum oxide. I have two dogs and the flooring will be in my kitchen, so I'd like something durable. But would I have any trouble refinishing them down the line? Thank you.

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Comments (4)

Jennifer Svensson
5 years ago
You’ll want to check how thick wear layer you have- that’ll determine if and how many times the floor can be sanded and refinished.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
As to the question of future difficulties, the answer is 'probably'. Don't worry. it won't be impossible, it will just be MORE EXPENSIVE.

Right now, only the OCCASSIONAL professional will,

A) attempt it

B) be successful at removing the AO

Now...let's look at what that means.

A HIGH END pro will be able to do this. These pros are naturally more expensive (they never have gaps in their schedules, they are booked 4-6 months in advance). They will not offer the bottom of the barrel price of $3/sf. They will naturally start at $5/sf.

Now the AO finish. It takes MANY MORE passes with a DIFFERENT grit level. Once the finish is off, the traditional sanding occurs. There are several pros out there who add $2-$3/sf to their regular fee.

That means, as of today (tomorrow is to be discussed at the time), you would look at $7-$8/sf.
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kharten
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! I’m only looking at materials that have top layers that are 4 to 5 mm thick to give myself options for the future. Is there a different finish from AO that I should consider?
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Different finish other than AO? For toughness? Not really. You either go for it and live with the future costs of refinishing or you don't and get the better price for refinishing in a much shorter future timeline.

How long do you expect the finish to look "good" (not last...that's normally 20+ years for any of them)? If you insist the floors must look good for 15+ years then you are stuck with AO. If you are OK with a 'lived on' floor that starts looking a bit beat up by year 10, then go for the traditional finishes.

Remember: the wood and the finish will last. The APPEARANCE is what the homeowner expects/wants. The HOMEOWNER expectations are the things that fluctuate.

All wood floors scratch and dent. They all do it WELL before they need a refresh or a full sand/refinish. The HOMEOWNER'S expectations are the things that must be managed...not the finish.