[bames]

I just installed laminate flooring in my new home, and tile in my last house. I have a 2 year old who is infatuated with golf and water. (Hmmm, wonder where he got that?). Laminate is much easier than tile. I put it in my entryway, hallway, breakfast nook, kitchen, and laundry room. With the help of a friend I did it in two night's work. I've never seen any damage done to ours and it has taken it's share of water, my old Titleist 7 iron, trucks, and trains. I've only seen it damaged one time, at Eddie's house oddly enough, when my mother-in-law dropped a heavy steel pot from above the fridge onto the floor. It dented the laminate, but that was it. There certainly are varying degrees of durability in the stuff. I was taught that if you are at all concerned about possible water damage in the kitchen or something, you can glue the joints in those areas.
Natural wood can go down quite fast as well, but takes a little more craftsmanship. My neighbor is a homebuilder and just finished his own floor in real wood. It already has some dents and scrapes, but looks incredible. When asked how hard it was, he just said to lay it down in a pattern like shingles and have the correct tools. He said the right tools, namely the nail gun that pulls the pieces together, will make all the difference in the world.