Hi guys and gals,

I've been looking at some of the Hallmark engineered hardwoods that are distressed/hand scrapped. Hallmark seems to get good reviews from what I can find and they fit in my $5-7 a foot budget. I am looking at their two lower lines which are 2.5mm wear layer with 9 coats of finish( they do have higher lines with 4mm). I will be staying in this house for at least another 10 years and possibly longer. I want the option and ability to refinish this floor at least once without any problems.

Is refinishing the floor reasonable with only a 2.5 wear layer and fairly significant handscraping/distressing and a pillowed edge(it's pretty rough looking). And do I lose all those characteristics when it is refinished? Does anyone have any experience with this? Hallmark says it can be refinished 2 times but I thought I would ask the experts.

Floors with a pillow edge may be sanded. Once they are sanded flat it can be sanded again with very little wood being removed.
The question I have is why not have the flooring re-coated so you don't need to sand? With a modern water-based finish, if you like the color you can clean and apply another coat of finish. Another coat of finish will bring back the gloss level that you like.
The color you will see after another coat of finish is the color that you see when the floor is wet with water after you have cleaned it.
The finish that comes with your flooring is part of your investment. Protect it with another coat of finish before it wears completely to bare wood.

This may help.

Which Engineered Is Best For Me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ralW3E0L00

Thanks for the tips. I may just choose to upgrade to their higher lines with a 4mm layer. I don't know if it is a marketing thing but Hallmark says with 4mm wear layer you get as much useable surface and refinishes (3) as a solid 3/4th floor. So if they do have to be sanded fully, does all the rustic nature of the wood ( hand scraped and distressed like chatter marks) go away?

Also, any opinions on Hallmark?

I approve of Hallmark. Installed plenty with no issues.