Nothing beats the sophistication of Hardwood Flooring. With the number of Hardwood species available, it would be hard not to find the exact look you're trying to achieve.
INVESTMENT: $5-$30 per sqft
BENEFITS:
The most exquisite floor you'll own
All natural, warm & inviting
1400 Janka hardness - durable
Great warranty (25 yrs)
Little maintenance & up-keep
Guaranteed eye opener
LIMITS:
A larger investment
Possible slip hazard when wet
Susceptible to scratching
Unforgiving when wet
Colder & less sound absorbing
Refinishing is messy & expensive
Compared to Bamboo or tile, Hardwood tends to wear very well when preventative steps are taken to scratch the Hardwood. Very popular in the southern states and less porous means it's better suited for traffic patterns, dirt & spills. Hardwood floors have come along way recently; in some styles, the Hardwood flooring is etched & stained to resemble tile flooring.
Solid Hardwood: 100% beautiful solid - Hardwood. Easy to clean & resistant to stains & odors. Nothing beats the exquisite, warm look of a solid hardwood floor.
Engineered Hardwood: By plying conventional wood with exotic wood, it makes for a stronger Hardwood, and less susceptible to splitting due to humidity & temperature level fluctuations. Tends to be more cost effective then solid hardwood.