[jimbo2012]

If you get scratches from your pet just cut the nails.

Laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures. The photograph or image of hardwood is then covered over the composite wood to form the laminate, thus is cheaper. install cost is 50% less than hardwood.

Laminate flooring doesn’t repair easily. If you buy flooring that comes in individual pieces and snapped together, you may be able to replace. Although, depending on sunlight and age, the new piece may not match properly. To get to damaged piece you may have to take much of the floor out because they all interlock.

But the prices are really low now I've seen them under $1.00 a sq.

Hardwood can always be sanded and refinished, but cost more.
It is now sold pre-finished from the factory.

Both are IMO better than tile or carpet in LR kit DR.