Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Need suggestions for laminate flooring

I plan on installing some laminate wood flooring in the dining area. I'm looking for a good quality product that has a good look and feel to it. I don't want something that screams "cheap and cheesy". Obviously the less costly the better but the final decision will not be based solely on cost.

I've looked online and at some of the local stores. There is sooo much to choose from it makes my head spin. Can I get some recommendations on products/brands for what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know why the decorating folks aren't chimin' in on this one. This is really their baileywick. Shaw makes a wide plank that has a fairly pronounced grain texture that looks pretty realistic. Quick Step makes a hand scraped hickory that looks really good down. I normally advise folks to stay away from the really slick shiny stuff because it just looks too fake. Unfortunately, these are the least pricey of the bunch. The ones that look more realistic tend to cost more. But then, remember the old song and dance, "you get what you pay for". I'd advise putting the job off, saving some more money, and getting something you really like rather than settling for something you'll regret later.

before i knew about this website, and without doing any real research, we used TrafficMaster by Shaw from Home Depot because it was about the least expensive thing around at the time ($1.99 sf i think) & i thought it looked good. i guess we just got lucky, because we were really happy with it (we've since moved). all i know is, we installed it ourselves & it installed easy (nothing to compare it to, but i have no nightmare horror stories, so i guess that qualifies as "easy installation"!), it looked great (no one would really mistake it for actual hardwoods, though, but it didn't look super plasticy & fake like our friends' Pergo did at the time) and it cleaned like a dream (Clorox wet mop things are great!)! we put it directly over really old, ugly, hard-to-clean sheet vinyl (with the little pits that dirt loves to get into & won't come out with any amount of scrubbing) and the before & after of the room was amazing. i wouldn't put it in a home with real hardwoods anywhere (because it will pale by comparison) or in an upper-scale home (where hardwoods would be expected), but if you're updating from something really ugly, you'll be happy. ours had the "wood grain" texture to it, and was a really pretty honey oak color.

Thanks for the replies. Did some more checking around today and I like the Wilsonart Red Label series. I also learned that engineered wood can be laid on a slab--previously I was told it could not be installed on a slab. I'm leaning toward the engineered wood now as I like the look of it over the laminates.

someone actually told you engineered couldn't be laid on a slab??? it was practically invented for the purpose of being laid on a slab! it's solid wood that doesn't like being on a slab.

yes, of course, engineered will be much prettier than a laminate. it's the real deal, just not solid, but more dimensionally stable (ie: perfect for on slabs!)

good luck!