Other Flooring Options
Cheaper flooring options are laminates, like Oak Laminate flooring. These are made of thin slices of wood and other materials, like fiber board, which are glued together to form the flooring plank. A thin layer, or veneer, of nice wood is placed on top for show. Solid wood options are three to four (3-4), times more expensive than laminates. Laminates offer the same insulation as solid wood but are of less quality. However, the price difference makes it a good option for the budget conscious.
Another option is Porcelain Tile flooring. Relatively expensive, they offer savings in other forms like low maintenance requirements. Porcelain floors do not require waxing. Manufactured in basically the same way as other porcelain items like good china plates and jars, they also have the characteristic shininess due to the protective glazing. However, some design offerings are so smooth that they are slippery, specially when wet. Other options offer a rougher texture, like design lines and bumps, that offer shoes and feet to better grasp the surface and prevent slippage.