Can You Fix Scratches on Engineered Wood Floors?

Engineered wood floors are a popular choice for many homeowners due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, like any flooring material, they can be susceptible to scratches and other types of damage. The good news is that there are several ways to address these issues and restore the look of your engineered wood floors.

Assessing the Severity of Scratches

The first step in fixing scratches on engineered wood floors is to determine the severity of the damage. There are three main types of scratches to consider:

Surface scratches: These affect only the finish of the wood and can often be addressed with fine-grit sandpaper or a scratch concealer.
Moderate scratches: These penetrate the wood veneer but not the underlying layers. These can be repaired using a floor repair wax kit.
Deep scratches: These go all the way through the wood veneer and into the underlying layers. These may require professional sanding and refinishing to fix.

Repairing Minor Scratches

For shallow scratches that only affect the surface of the wood, you can try gently buffing them out with fine-grit sandpaper or steel wool. However, it’s important to remember that the veneer on engineered wood floors is much thinner than on solid hardwood, so you need to be very careful not to sand too deeply and damage the underlying layers.

Using a Wax Repair Kit

If the scratches on your engineered wood floors are more moderate in depth, a floor repair wax kit can be an effective solution. These kits typically include a wax-based filler that can be applied to the scratches to blend them in with the surrounding wood. Be sure to choose a wax color that closely matches your floor’s finish.

Sanding and Refinishing

For deep scratches that penetrate the wood veneer, you may need to consider sanding and refinishing the affected area. This is a more involved process that is best left to professional floor refinishers, as they have the tools and expertise to ensure the repaired area blends seamlessly with the rest of the floor.