What is now known as laminate has a plastic surface with wood grain printed on it. It is possible to see the repeating patterns in some designs more than others. Laminate is a floating floor, the pieces lock together and are laid down on an underlayment. Some underlayments are quieter than others.
Engineered wood floors have a real wood surface so there is no repeat in the grain pattern. The surface is usually protected by a very hard polyurethane/aluminum oxide finish. The wood floor can be glued down and there is no hollow noise if you do this.
I think the answer is to go to a store and look at the different kinds of flooring and choose which you think looks best. Unless you wear hard soled shoes around the house I don't think noise will be a problem. Personally, in our living and dining room, we had an engineered wood floor of light oak installed and it is glued down. Of course we don't have the option of taking the floor with us if we move!
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Often wrong - never in doubt!
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