Can you refinish engineered hardwood without sanding?

Author: Mrs. Erika Crona  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

While you cannot 'refinish' your flooring without sanding first, you can recoat it. Recoating is the process of adding a new finish, without any prior sanding. While it is much less messy to opt for this process, the hard part is getting your new finish to adhere to the old finish.

How do you refinish engineered wood floors without sanding?

Staining engineered wood floors without sanding is possible if the existing finish is in good condition. Clean the floor thoroughly, apply a wood stain compatible with engineered wood, and finish with a protective coating. Ensure compatibility between the stain and the existing finish to achieve desired results.

How do you tell if engineered hardwood can be refinished?

The thickness of the veneer layer:

The top layer of an engineered hardwood floor is made of thin wood veneer. If this layer is too thin, it will be difficult (or even impossible) to sand down and refinish your flooring.

Is sandless floor refinishing worth it?

Yes, sandless floor refinishing can be an effective way to revitalize your hardwood floors without the mess and dust associated with traditional sanding. This method is especially well-suited for floors that are only moderately worn or damaged.

Can engineered hardwood be resurfaced?

Thankfully, the answer is yes for many engineered wood products on the market today — but with some important caveats. The thickness of the hardwood veneer is the key factor that determines if the floor can be refinished, and if so, how many times.

Can You Refinish Your hardwood floors without sanding?

Is it cheaper to refinish or replace engineered hardwood floors?

It is almost always cheaper to refinish your floor than to replace it.

How to rejuvenate engineered wood floors?

More Involved Remedies to Restore Engineered Wood
  1. Wipe the scratch with a clean, cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove dirt and grime.
  2. Use a color-matched floor wax product and apply the wax going diagonally along the scratch to fill it.
  3. Remove excess wax to make it level with the floor.

How much does sandless refinishing cost?

Sandless refinishing can cost anywhere from $4 to $8 per square foot. Compared to sanding and refinishing a floor, which is $3 to $8 per square foot. The clear difference is that if you sand and refinish your floor, you'll remove scratches, dents, oxidization, all stains, faded boards, wax, and polish.

What is the alternative to sanding hardwood floors?

Sandless refinishing involves lightly buffing or screening the hardwood floors and applying a coat of polyurethane. Unlike traditional sanding methods, this process minimally affects the floor's surface while providing a rejuvenated look.

What product does Mr Sandless use?

What kind of finish do you use? Mr. Sandless starts with our commercial grade sealer followed by top coats of our finish that is a space-age polymer and urethane combination. It is a one-of-a-kind hybrid finish with a macromolecular repetitive structure for strength and durability.

How many years does engineered hardwood last?

The typical lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring ranges from 20 to 30 years or more, depending on factors such as the quality of materials, installation process, maintenance routines, and environmental conditions. Suppose you take good care of high-quality engineered hardwood floors with thicker wear layers.

How much does it cost to refinish engineered wood floors?

Engineered wood: $3-$6 per square foot. Oak: $3-$5 per square foot. Parquet: $3-$6 per square foot. Mahogany: $5-$8 per square foot.

What is the best finish for engineered wood flooring?

Lacquered engineered flooring has a smooth finish as the lacquer sits on top of the wood, creating a protective layer. This means it's easy to clean and resistant to spills. The lacquer creates a glossy, polished finish that reflects light in the room, making it appear brighter and more spacious.

How do you fix sun faded hardwood floors without sanding?

Buffing a hardwood floor with a buffer is an easy and efficient way to restore its shine without sanding. Make sure that all areas are dry before you begin buffing. Put on the appropriate protective gear and attach the buffing pad to the buffer. It's important to give each area equal attention for a uniform shine.

Can I change the color of my engineered hardwood floors?

The good news is that you can change the color of engineered wood floors, but the process will depend on the type of finish that is applied to the surface. Engineered wood floors usually come with a pre-finished layer that protects the surface from damage and improves its appearance.

Can you strip engineered wood floors without sanding?

If you're looking to strip polyurethane from engineered floors without sanding too much, try using a chemical stripper specifically designed for this task. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and wear protective gear. Once the poly is removed, you can proceed with staining the wood to your desired color.

Can you refinish hand scraped engineered hardwood?

However, with most engineered hardwood floors, you should be able to refinish them 1-3x max. However, if your engineered floors are also hand scraped, like ours are, that adds in another layer of complication. At most, you will likely only be able to refinish your hand scraped engineered hardwood floors once.

What is the difference between resurfacing and refinishing hardwood floors?

Depth of Sanding: Resurfacing involves light sanding, whereas refinishing requires sanding down to bare wood. Extent of Restoration: Refinishing can address more severe wear and damage compared to resurfacing. Time and Cost: Refinishing generally takes longer and is more expensive due to the intensive labor involved.

Can engineered hardwood be refinished?

Multiple Refinishing Opportunities: Thick engineered wood flooring has a wear layer of 4mm-6mm thick. It can be refinished multiple times. This means you can refinish the floor's appearance and extend its life, making it a long-lasting investment.

How much does it cost to hire someone to sand and refinish hardwood floors?

To have a professional hardwood contractor come in and refinish your wood floors is going to cost between $5 to $8 per square foot. Anything below $5 per square foot is probably going to be of questionable quality.

How long does it take to refinish 1000 square feet of hardwood floors?

Floor refinishing can vary in duration, but a standard 3-4 days is the typical timeframe for a 1,000 square foot job. The time that is actually needed depends on some factors like your home layout, as we will explore in this blog post.

Is Bona good for engineered hardwood floors?

Yes, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is recommended for use on engineered hardwood floors, as well as all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors.

Is Swiffer good for engineered hardwood floors?

Is Swiffer good for engineered hardwood floors? Swiffer mops are an appropriate tool for sweeping and damp-mopping your engineered hardwood. The Swiffer Wet-Jet in particular is one of the best tools for cleaning engineered hardwood.

How many times can you sand and refinish engineered hardwood?

2mm wear layer: can be sanded and refinished 1 to 2 times. 3mm wear layer: can be sanded and refinished 2 to 3 times. 4 to 6 mm wear layer: can be sanded and refinished 3 to 6 times.

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