Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Hardwood vs Laminate (again?)

I'm new and I'm sure you've been asked this often but...
I want to replace my carpeting with wood or wood-type flooring. High traffic, family home. Prefer lighter oak (not too picky about color or wood type). I am mostly concerned with quality and durability. Our home has many odd angles, so this may also be a factor?! I also care that I can clean it often and not effect the finish.

Thanks so much!

You're right, this is a frequently asked question. You will find a lot of different answers if you use the search function at the upper right of the page or check out the FAQ.

Jim
JMFloors

Not a "pro"...just a consumer here. I have laminates covering 900 sf in my home. I like the ease of care (dustmop, sweep, and also those "swiffer" or "Pledge Grab-it" products are amazing!) but you will always run into hardcore fanatics of wood, tile, etc on this board and everywhere! So just base it all on your own preferences! To me, scratching is the main negative against laminates. As I understand it, wood scratches too, tho! But real wood can be refinished of course, laminates cannot. So, in my case, I am just careful of grit and stuff tracked in on my floors (and it's a good excuse to sweep daily...ha). The odd angles in your house are not an issue to worry about with any of the products, I dont think! I would just suggest you guys do alot of shopping around before you buy. And when you decide, purchase from a reputable dealer with a satisfaction guarantee....especially when it comes to correct installation. Happy hunting!!!