How long should a hardwood floor last?

Longer than most homeowners expect, and the limiting factor is wear layer rather than time. Solid hardwood can be sanded several times over its life, so a floor that is looked after outlives the people who installed it. Engineered hardwood is limited by its wear layer: a two millimetre veneer will take roughly one light sanding, a four millimetre veneer more. That is why we measure thickness at a vent or a doorway before recommending a refinish, and why the veneer depth matters more than the brand when you are choosing engineered.