One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners is:
“My floor has only a 3 mm wear layer. Is it possible to renovate it?”
The short answer? Yes — but only with the right technique and equipment.
What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
For those unfamiliar, engineered flooring is a type of hardwood floor made by bonding multiple layers of wood together.
Here’s how it’s constructed:
- Top Layer (Wear Layer): Real hardwood — typically oak, walnut, or teak — with a thickness between 2 mm and 6 mm.
- Core Layer: Made of plywood, HDF, or softwood. These layers are arranged crosswise to reduce movement due to humidity and temperature changes.
- Bottom Layer: A backing layer that adds further stability and prevents warping.
Can You Renovate Engineered Wood Floors with 3mm Wear Layer?
Yes — but it needs to be done very carefully.
A 3 mm wear layer is relatively thin, so sanding must be controlled to avoid cutting through to the core. Once the hardwood layer is gone, it cannot be restored.
That’s why we use Bona’s advanced sanding system. These machines are designed for precision and can remove as little as 0.7 mm of material — far less than traditional sanders. This allows us to safely renovate engineered floors with thinner wear layers, extending their life without compromising the structure.
Step-by-Step: Engineered Floor Renovation
- Sanding the Surface:
We start by gently sanding off the old coating, exposing the raw wood beneath.
- Refining the Surface:
The floor is then sanded smooth using progressively finer abrasives, preparing it for a new finish.
- Custom Coating:
Based on your preference, we apply either an oil or lacquer finish. Want to change the colour? That’s possible too — we can stain the wood before coating to give your floor a completely new look.
Final Thoughts on Renovating Engineered Floors
Renovating an engineered floor with a 3 mm wear layer is possible — but only with the right tools and experienced hands. Bona’s sanding system makes this delicate job safe and effective, bringing your floor back to life without taking away its future.
