Affordable engineered parquet, is a 2.5mm wear layer sufficient?

Hello,

we want to have oiled oak country house plank parquet installed in our single-family house. Unfortunately, the parquet listed with the general contractor in the specs does not appeal to us after having seen it installed, so we are looking for alternatives. Currently, as an alternative, we have been offered a Bauwerk Studiopark oak 2-layer with 2.5mm wear layer and HDF substrate for about €70 or a Thede & Witte 'Boston' (3-layer with poplar substrate, 3mm wear layer) for about €50. The problem is that we would prefer not to include Asian products, which in our opinion speaks against the Thede & Witte due to the poplar in the substrate layer. We like the Bauwerk better in terms of wood quality and would almost be willing to pay the higher price if it weren’t for the thin wear layer of the Bauwerk parquet. Do you have ideas for parquet of similar quality to Bauwerk but with a higher wear layer in a similar price range? Or is 2.5mm enough with an HDF substrate? We have underfloor heating; the parquet will be installed glued in all living areas including hallway and kitchen, and we have a small dog, so the floor should also be sandable once. I find it very difficult since online you often cannot find information about the exact construction/material of the substrate layer(s). It would be great if someone could help.

Many thanks

The 2.5mm is definitely enough. Sanding is often mentioned as an argument, but in reality, this sanding is usually only done maybe after 20 years. Oak is inherently a very sturdy material that can withstand a lot (with us a Bernese Mountain Dog for a few years, which caused no problems).

Correction: the Thede & Witte has a 4mm wear layer.

Is it then not possible to sand down at 2.5mm at all, or what do you think?

I would have said at least 3mm before, but is right, sanding is basically never done. If then, during the move. And then it doesn't really matter, because either tenant – they just have to live with how it looks. Or buyer: they can then decide whether to sand it down or 50% will put in something new anyway.

Can't you sand down 2.5mm at all, or how do you see it?

Yes, but maybe only exactly once

2.5 mm unfortunately can also quickly wear through or get scratched off. We had such parquet flooring in the last rental apartment, including in the kitchen. With a toddler and then a baby crawling around, the parquet was damaged in many places so much that you could see the base material. If the parquet is lacquered, it is less susceptible, but oiled oak is not that resistant that I would want to look at it for 15 years.