I never use laminate. Overall it looks too "manufactured". It can, at best, be sanded and refinished once. In Texas, I am paying $7/sf for real hardwoods labor & material. Some laminates are $5.00 material only. All laminates look fake to me.

2.5 year old post...and you still haven't found a floor? Local species are always best for local climates. India has different wood species than N. America...so our suggestions are going to be of little help to someone on the Indian Subcontinent. Local hardwood works best in local climates. Work with that theory and choose the wood you like the look of.

It took me ten years to figure out as an adult why my allergies are non stop when I visit my moms custom home. This morning I figured it out. Pine floors. We eliminated feathers, my seasonal allergies and there are no other triggers apparently in this house. I have to take the max allergy meds per day to be here. Treating the floor did not stop this from.happening to me as my allergies are severe. So heads up guys, people can react to the wood flooring even after its treated

We want to avoid hardwood floors in kitchen and dining because of spills , accidents and experiments that my kids and I have and that is why tiles are a better option