Skeeter: We do want real wood but the reality is that we are on a budget and are trying to look ahead some. We could do real wood and have a 1.5 inch height difference w/out raising the other floor height but that wouldn't work well over all: we don't think it would work right and if we ever move in either of our aging parents then it becomes a tripping haazard. We could raise the level of the other floors but again that isn't really cost efficient unless tile can be raised that much using thinset mortar which I don't think can. Engineered wood floors seem like our best option. I like the look: some of the better ones look no different than solid wood. I've read that they wear well, too. But again we would not be able to use the nail down type or we will end up in the same situation that the solid wood floors would pose. We are going to have to find a good quality glue down or floating engineered floor.

We had a similar dilemma when replacing floors in kitchen/family room. Both rooms connect to where we have or will shortly have hardwood floors, so no laminate or vinyl wood-looking tile was even considered. We ended up with Downs luxury vinyl tile (LVT). It is a floating floor that clicks together very, very tightly. You really have to see it in person to appreciate the difference between it and other vinyl---definitely a huge step up from sheet vinyl. It's not tile or slate, but I am happy with the looks and easy maintenance of our floor. If you've had tile before and are happy with that option, that might be your preference. I have had tile floors before and didn't want them again, so the LVT provided the correct option for us.

Why don't you like a string mop? They have them so you don't have to wring them out by hand and work really well on all types of floors. I use that on my wood floors, but not as often as I should....probably every three months I give a good mopping. Otherwise I sweep or go over it with the Swiffer. It is SO much cleaner with a string mop.

I don't think the flooring is cheap, it's just that I've seen what happens to laminate when it gets wet, and in the kitchen (and laundry) you have to expect that it will. There's no point paying for a floor you know is going to get ruined. Unless you want to buy extra to have on hand should you need to replace any flooring for resale.