Since you said you were open to other suggestions, I wonder whether tea roses might be a better prospect for you. I live in a dry climate and can't advise you about which ones might be best, but I've heard many times they do well in the humid south. I wouldn't be without mine, they bloom almost all the time and are such handsome bushes. I don't spray at all and the worst disease they have is a little mildew, while some of my other roses, including Austins, are showing some blackspot and rust. Ingrid

We did this in our m-i-l apartment we just built and will use the same in the house. It looks fantastic and people can't believe it's not real wood. We both love the look of wood and wanted it. But for the same reasons, dogs and living on 15 acres and the dirt we knew real wood wouldn't hold up. We went with Interceramic Timberlands in Golden Saddle. The only thing I told my tile guy is that I wanted the smallest grout lines possible. He did a great job. I have a couple of pictures but they are on my office computer. I will try to figure out how to post one tomorrow. One thing I was told was to not use the really long planks. Keep it 24" because the longer tend to warp worse and are harder to lay. And if you're hoping it will be less costly than real wood..... Nope, not around here anyway. Price was comparable to a good hardwood. I love it and it will be the main flooring in our house.

Thank you everyone, I'm thinking that the ColorCore Formica will be the most practical. I am trying to keep in mind that if son decides not to sell in a few years and decides to rent it out...well, I guess I'm trying to think ahead a bit to stay on the safe side. I found a distributor pretty close too so that's handy. Eventgal, yes we do have carpentry skills but want to limit anymore of that. Son's budget for remodel is low which already leaves us (my husband and I) with more than I want to physically do. Son will learn as we go but knows absolutely nothing. He does have a contractor to replace sub floor in one bath as well as the floor and shower stall tiling. And, hopefully vanity install as well as an easy maintenance top. ***Maybe I should start a separate thread for this question but will give it a go here first. Anyone know where I can get cheap "dots" for the $5.00 re-homing container of white hexagon bathroom floor tile I bought??? I'll have to measure again but the dot section is just under an inch and a half.

Wow. That video sold me! Wonder if I can talk them into using that in my new house. Probably not. :( With dogs and their occasional illnesses it sure would be nice to have something bullet proof. Glad you got your answer. I guess I'll have to look further into grout, including the Spectralok. But there are one or two brands that I think my builder uses, and knowing my builder they are the cheapest two. Guess the good news is I'll have 24x24 tile to at least minimize the grout lines.