With 2mm wear layer you should assume it CANNOT be refinished (Uptown mentions it is *possible but I'll just say it is not a likely scenario so assume the worst). A wood floor that cannot be refinished has a life expectancy of 15-20 years and then it will need replacement (remove and replace). That being said, like ALL WOOD FLOORS, that means the first 10 years it will look "good". And then it will start looking "tired". That phase will last for another 5-7 years. And then it will look "worn out" and ready for replacement. At the "worn out" phase, many homeowners start saving for the next floor - which can take 2-5 years to gather enough funds together. There you have it. The life cycle of a wooden floor that cannot be refinished.

The wood wear layer has nothing to do with how it WEARS during this life cycle. The FINISH (polyurethane/urethane/oil/etc) is what takes ALL THE ABUSE. The daily tromping through the house. The midnight snack runs. The dog dancing at the door to go out...all of it is taken by the FINISH - not the 2mm wood itself.

The 2mm wear layer is the actual "hardwood" that you "want". Everything else is filler (structural filler...but still filler). As soon as you find 3mm wear layers you can start looking at a SINGLE sand and refinish. That means your 15 - 20 year life-cycle floor just became a floor that can survive for 40 years. Once you get to 6mm thick you have a floor that can out live a human being (60 - 100 years).

If your BUDGET tells you that you cannot have the 100 year floor, then don't do it. If you budget tells you that the 20 year floor is acceptable AND you feel that 20 years is "good enough" - then go for it.

And remember, a HIGH END laminate ($4/sf) can give you EVERYTHING you want for the visual and still give you 20+ years of EXCELLENT service (they rarely look "worn out" like hardwood - especially the top of the line European laminates) without being a budget killer.

Some people will tell you a high-end "low-grade" product is more valuable than a low-grade "premium product". You can purchase an entry level BMW for $$$$ and have nothing in it (no leather, no heated seats, no automatic transmission, no A/C) or for the same money you can buy a high-end Hyundai with EVERYTHING IN IT for the same amount of money. The argument becomes which car has more VALUE....the one with "BMW" on it and nothing else or the one with EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK in it but it is lacking a signature identity.

Budgets can be manipulated to include everything you envision....it may not come with the packaging you where hoping for.