[justagolfer]

I just went through the laminate/wood question for my remodel.

I was set to buy hardwood, and was just verifying my position with the salesman. First he asked me about my lifestyle, kids, and then pets.

We use our house and kitchen. We don't sit around and look at it. It's nice, but made to be used. I have two kids, 13 boy and 15 girl. Friends over all of the time. Kids dance parties, swim parties, etc. 2 dogs, 40# Aussie & a 100# Berner. Sales guy looked at me and asked if I wanted to spend the rest of my free time (what free time?) maintaining h/w. Forget it. Put down a high quality laminate, we wear the hell out of it and I can't even see a scratch. Seems to hold up well with the kids running in and out to the pool too. They don't seem to understand what "dry off" means.