[zcb]

We have both hardwood and laminate. Our Shih Tzu, who passed last year, had pee problems as she got older and the pee on the hardwood got into the cracks and darkened them and the pee got into the laminate cracks and actually raised the laminate coating on those boards. We also have ceramic and I wish we had that throughout the house. If, however, I had to choose between these and carpet.....no contest....I'd never, ever have carpeting again. The hardwood can be fixed and the laminate boards just pop out and can be replaced.
Just a hint here, I use vinegar and water to clean the laminate and it comes out beautifully with no spots or smears. I tried the "store bought" stuff for the laminate and it just never worked as well as the vinegar and water.